Single: Waterloo 1815 WILLIAM COTTLE, 2nd BATT. 44th REG: FOOT.
The Essex regimental museum website records an insight into the day’s events as follows;
“French Lancers attacked as the Regiment was forming up when it was at a disadvantage having no support on either flank and arranged in lines 2 men deep rather than the squares employed as defence against cavalry. This deployment allowed the lancers to attack from front and rear.
A French lancer made a grab for the colours with his lance but the flag was secured by Ensign Christie despite serious wounds. The Lancer then tried to escape with some of the colour still on his lance but he was killed in the attempt to get away.”
The Regiment earned great praise for their stand against the attack from Lord Wellesley-"The troops were long and severely engaged and conducted themselves with utmost gallantry".
14 other ranks were killed and 151 were wounded. Two officers were killed and 17 wounded.
Note: Only 38 waterloo medals are recorded to have surfaced for the unit making this one of the scarcest Regiments to obtain.
Fitted with replacement silver clip and bar suspension. VF SOLD
