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Waterloo 200th Anniversary

Waterloo 200th Anniversary

There are perhaps a handful dates which we commit to memory – such as 14th October 1066: the Battle of Hastings – because they are significant. Joining this list is the date of 18th June 1815, because it was the end of the military career of one of the greatest military commanders in history, the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. His battles, strategies and organisational skills have been subjected to scrutiny over the past 200 years and this interest shows no sign of waning. In fact, if anything, the period of the Napoleonic Wars is gaining in popularity.

The Napoleonic Wars has been the subject of countless books and documentaries and specialist travel agencies conduct tours to all the battlefield sites. The period is extremely popular with re-enactors who turn out most weekends to portray famous regiments and recreate camp life. The period is also popular with the general public who turn out in their thousands to see the battle re- enactments and walk around the recreated encampments. In fact, out of all the pre- 20th century periods of re-enactment, it is perhaps the era of the Napoleonic Wars which must be the most popular and enjoys a global following. The official Napoleonic Association was formed in 1975 and today, 40 years later, there are well-over 600 members in groups all across Britain.

There are other societies and associations dedicated to studying the period and battles, but it is the Napoleonic Association which is recognised as being the driving force behind many events and organising Waterloo 200. On that fateful day in June 1815 there was an Allied army of 68,000 men commanded by the Duke of Wellington facing a French army of 73,000 men. This year, between Thursday 18th June and Saturday 20th June, several thousand re-enactors from across Europe will gather in the vicinity of the battlefield, along with some 300 horses, to recreate the action. During the course of the three days several tons of powder will be used as the thousands of re-enactors fire their muskets at one another, along with at least 100 pieces of artillery. The assemblage of re-enactors will be the single largest gathering ever formed to commemorate a battle, and what better engagement than the Battle of Waterloo.

I visited the battlefield of Waterloo in 2005 and took part in the 190th anniversary event, which was an incredible experience, and from that time I know that this year’s event will be spectacular. To stand on any battlefield is very evocative, but the site of Waterloo is probably more special than most, particularly for all the re-enactors who will be in full period uniform.

The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

The groups taking part in the event will be representing many famous regiments, one of which will be the 32nd Regiment of Foot which eventually became the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

I decided to mark the occasion by arranging to spend some time with the group, and what a revelation it turned out to be. I met up with the 32nd Regiment at Whitsand Bay Fort Holiday Camp near Millbrook in Cornwall, which is the site of a late 19th century coastal defence and is used by the group for drill practice and training. The weekend was an opportunity for members to prepare for all the events this year, especially Waterloo 200, conduct some training practice with muskets and drill and check equipment.

The group depicting the 32nd Regiment was created on 1st January 2007 and now has around 32 members, most of whom had experience of re-enacting before the unit was formed. The group is commanded by Colonel Trevor Jones who told me he decided to raise the group because no-one had depicted the regiment before. Furthermore, it was one of the most battle-experienced regiments on the field at Waterloo, having fought through the Peninsular War and gained many battle honours such as Corunna, Salamanca, Vimiera and several others. Indeed, members of the group could be considered true veterans of the Peninsular War, having visited many of the battlefields either as a tour or to participate in a battle re-enactment on the actual site.

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The 32nd was raised in 1702 as Fox’s Marines and fought on campaign in the West Indies, where, with King George II at Dettingen in 1743 and after Waterloo, it distinguished itself in India and both World Wars. During the Waterloo campaign the regiment formed part of Picton’s Division and had actually been fighting since the 16th June at Quatre Bras. Having marched to Waterloo in readiness for the battle, the 32nd Regiment with 647 men was deployed north-west of Papelotte and north of the road from Wavre. At around 2pm it had moved to the south side of the road and received a heavy attack by French infantry. The battle continued until past 8pm by which time the 32nd had just 131 men still standing.

The Colours

At the start of the battle the regimental colours of the 32nd where being carried by Ensign John Birtwhistle. As they moved forward Birtwhistle was severely wounded by a musket ball as they crossed the road. As he fell, the colours were gathered up by Lieutenant Robert Belcher who was almost immediately attacked by a Frenchman who was quickly dispatched by Sergeant Switzwer and the colours were saved. Ensign Birtwhistle survived his wounds and at Waterloo 200 one of his direct descendants, Bob Birtwhistle, and a member of the 32nd Regiment will be carrying the unit’s colours at the exact place where the regiment stood 200 years ago. Re-enactment does not get much more personal than that.

Some members of the group have been to Waterloo before and as Colonel Jones said of this event the regiment is returning to its “...old French hunting ground”. A remark which many will take with the same good humour it was intended.

The 32nd makes all its own uniforms but buys in leather equipment such as belts and pouches. Weapons are also bought from various suppliers with correct paperwork and identification. The quality of the uniforms is very high and allows for a very smart and convincing turnout. Working dress was worn to put up tents and officers turned out in very smart uniforms. The drummer, who is also proficient with the fife, looked as though he had just stepped out of a painting. Colonel Jones completed his appearance by wearing his gorget along with the gold cross which denoted he had commanded in four engagements or more. This award is worn around the neck, but higher than the gorget, so that it can be seen clearly. Commanding officers wore their gold cross with pride and the Duke of Wellington had nine bars to his award for 13 actions. The 32nd welcomes enquiries from recruits who wish to join their ranks and they can contact the group through the website at: www.32ndcornwallregiment.co.uk

Whinyates Troop

Accompanying the turnout was Gerry Sperring, who depicts a member of 2nd Rocket Troop sometimes known as ‘Whinyates Troop’ after the commander of the unit at Waterloo. Gerry is one of the main co-ordinators for the battle re-enactment at Waterloo 200 and he told me it is a massive undertaking. He had with him a selection of weapons including a scaled-down replica of a 6-pounder gun, which he bought from the Tower of London. He explained that it was in quite a poor condition, but after four weeks he had completely refurbished it, which included making the tools such as rams and the boxes. After the work he had the barrel re- proofed in London and although it can fire a 7.5oz charge Gerry prefers to fire four ounces during displays. He told me that the real gun would have required six horses to pull it and a good gun crew could fire up to eight rounds a minute. As well as round shot it could also fire canister for use against infantry at close range, which would have been lethal.

Another of Gerry’s items was a pair of sea service pistols that he keeps in a presentation case which he made himself. They were made in India and he bought them from Derbyshire Arms and they can be fired. He has mounted a name plate in the case which reads ‘Commander Thomas Cochrane’ of HMS Speedy, who was a real-life person and the man on whom the figure of Jack Aubrey, the hero of the novels by Patrick O’Brian, is based and characterised in the 2003 film Master and Commander starring Russell Crowe. Gerry also has a range of other weapons from the period including original swords and reproduction firearms such as Baker Rifles.

Regency Rubber Necks!

The first visitors to Waterloo arrived within days of the battle being fought. They would have seen mounds of unburied dead men and horses along with the mangled weaponry and discarded uniforms. Over the past 200 years this interest in the battle remains. The battlefield is not the largest in Europe, nor is it by any means the one with the largest armies. It is what the battle represented and the legacy it gave Europe.

There are tours to the 200 anniversary event being organised by various specialist travel companies and these can be investigated on the different websites. Alternatively, if you prefer to make your own arrangements, the official website promoting the event, with tickets on sale and all other details, can be found at: www.waterloo2015.org.

You do not have to travel to Belgium to experience Waterloo 200, because there are a number of events being organised in this country, and these will be worthwhile visiting for the experience. The best of these are listed on the Website of the Napoleonic Association which can be visited at: www.napoleonicassociation.org.

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