Just been reading this fantastic web site regarding the anniversary of Waterloo. http://www.waterloo200.org/ Have a look at 200 Objects of Waterloo.
Now you are talking my language. I thought no one had noticed the anniversary. Where are all the books, films etc? The National Army Museum at Chelsea is always worth a visit. They have one of the big Siborne dioramas of the battle with thousands of model figures. The other one is in Leeds at the Royal Armouries. This has tens of thousands of figures, but smaller. Mike
Mike have a look at this memorial in my Gallery. I have lost the link but this chap helped shut the gate at Hougoumont Farm, and his family are helping with the restoration of the gate http://ww2talk.com/forums/gallery/album/807-all-saints-church-memorial/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wyndham_(British_Army_officer)
Thinking about it, Waterloo has quite a bit of competition, what with the Anzac Gallipoli centenary and the bi-centenary of the Gurkhas as part of the British Army.
Found it http://www.projecthougoumont.com/restoration.html Members of the Wyndham family have agreed to fund the replication of the famous North Gates and the repair of the gate piers in memory of their forbear, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Wyndham, who played a leading part in the closing of the gates in 1815. The gates themselves will be made in the estate yard at Petworth, home of Lord Egremont, head of the Wyndham family. Fragments of the original gates and the lock preserved in the Guards Museum will be used to ensure the new gates resemble the originals as closely as possible.
good day ritsonvaljos,sm.yesterday.11:29pm.#8.re:waterloo 200.one of abba's best.you got that right.regards bernard85
My husband and I may be there at the anniversary and I have looked at the re-enactment days. Seemingly the whole site is being upgraded. In May we are taking 6 weeks to follow my fathers footsteps from Normandy to Hamburg. So so many places to visit and while we are in the area the WW1 sites also beckon. I know absolutely nothing about the history of Belgium but it seems to have seen a lot of epic battles over the centuries. Can anyone recommend a good history book of Belgium?
This made me chuckle. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31841421 France objects to Waterloo euro coin
Chuckle indeed. The battle victory that gave Europe 50 years of peace (sort of). I understand Belgium has now backed down, after the French complaints.I don't plan on being around when the 2044 commemorative D-Day Euro is issued, so I'll never know what the French say about that.But hey, who needs history.
From JOE Vandeleur's book A Soldier's Story. He mentions relatives who fought at Waterloo and includes a letter from one who looked after Frederick Ponsonby [hr] Vandeleur also recounts an attempt to 'visit' the battlefield, in 1944 ...
never seen this pic before. COMMAND OF FRENCH UNITS HANDED TO GENERAL BONJOUR The two hats worn by Wellington and Napoleon at Waterloo, that were presented to the French S.A.S. during the ceremony COMMAND OF FRENCH UNITS HANDED TO GENERAL BONJOUR. © IWM (B 15789)IWM Non Commercial Licence
British troops marching past the historic battlefield at Waterloo on the their way to the Rhine, to later become the British Army of the Rhine. BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918. © IWM (Q 3387)IWM Non Commercial Licence BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918. © IWM (Q 3386)IWM Non Commercial Licence BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918. © IWM (Q 3388)IWM Non Commercial Licence British troops outside the historic 'Wellington's Hotel' near the battlefield at Waterloo, seen while marching to the Rhine, to later become the British Army of the Rhine. BRITISH ARMY ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918. © IWM (Q 3389)IWM Non Commercial Licence
From a more peaceful time (?), 18th June 1915, somewhere north of Lens.....the 1st Surrey Rifles (who were based at Flodden Rd, Camberwell) fraternising...
The Battle of Waterloo. First published in the months after the battle, this unique title gives an unprecedented glimpse into how the battle of Waterloo was viewed in its immediate aftermath. Published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the battle, this is a collection of reports of the battle from all sides, records of the orders issued to both armies, the official gazette sent by Wellington, the firsthand accounts of French marshals, sobering lists of those killed in the battle, the obituaries of key figures, a full narrative description of the battle and interpretations of the battle on the ground, including letters from the Duke of Wellington. Two beautifully detailed concertinafold maps and a detailed panorama of the battlefield, hand drawn by a survivor of the battle, complete this incredible collection.https://ospreypublishing.com/the-battle-of-waterloo
Anyone sent off for their free Waterloo200 medal? Saw the ad on TV other day with some Field-Marshal chap on it. http://www.200waterloo.co.uk/
Soldier's letter telling of British swords 'reeking with French blood' after 'glorious charge' that turned the Battle of Waterloo is unearthed after 200 years http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3012560/Soldier-s-letter-telling-British-swords-reeking-French-blood-glorious-charge-turned-Battle-Waterloo-unearthed-200-years.html EXTRACT FROM THE LETTER OF CORPORAL RICHARD COULTER Dear Cousin, We had very hard fighting and with men of no despicable size or appearance I mean their Curassiers in complete Armour if you had heard us the first Charge we made on the 18th you had been reminded of Mr Greenwoods Braizer's Shop such a rattling of swords about their Backs & Helmets it was really Laughable. I received a Cut on my Bridle Hand had a Sword run through my Jacket in the shoulder... My Horse had his eye almost cut Cut [sic] out we drove them under their own Cannon into their own lines and stay'd their too long, for the Infantry began to play upon us we retired and left but 3 or 4 behind and they were shot I think more in this Charge fell by the sword this was a Glorious Charge we returnd and was Huzza'd by the Infantry which they had threatened with destruction and a Regt of Belgian Cavalry our swords reeked with French Blood... I had my Horse shot in a Charge against a solid Column of Infantry... before I had got him twenty yards he received another Ball he tumbled over another Horse... about 20 yards from the face of the Column of 15 hundred or 2 thousand men I struggled to get Clear, they saw me and sent some musket shot at me but they struck the Horses. I squated down with my head but I was almost Breathless my poor Horse had a great many balls in him but struggled to extricate himself by this means I got my legs clear looked over his neck, and saw more approaching to bayonet me I musterd all my strength and run of[f] faster than I ever went to School in my life their flankers fired after me I tumbled down but not with their shot I was spent I up again and got clear of[f] to Waterloo a few hundred yards from where I fell; down the road was covered with dead men & dead Horses from one I got a cloak which with my sword & pouch was all store having lost every thing but what I stood upright in by pouch belt and sword Belt was all Blood what from the Horses & my own wound in the hand, during the time I lay amongst the Horses I received a dead ball against my left arm which made me believe it was broke but it only turn'd the Arm Black... I joined my Regt the next day it could not muster above 30 or 40 Men. Our Col was kill'd one Capt Kill'd 2 Quartermasters 5 or 6 Corp.ls & 20 Men that we know of and 70 Wounded, all the Officers was wounded"; then giving news of his present whereabouts ("...we are now within five miles of Paris..."