Gold Interlocking Rings

Family legend tells that after Waterloo a comrade of Sergeant Porter delivered the rings to Mrs Porter as proof of her husband’s survival, because correspondence from enlisted men (not officers) was forbidden. In fact, many letters did fly from Belgium to England after the battle. In any case, you might think the word of Sergeant Porter’s comrade would be proof enough. The ring is an intriguing and touching choice.

Sergeant Porter and the 28th were engaged at Quatre Bras on 16th June. They marched to the aid of the hard-pressed 42nd and 44th Regiments, forming square while under continuous attack from French cavalry.
 The regiment’s Major Llewellyn wrote: 
”The rye in the field was so high, that to see anything beyond our own ranks was almost impossible. The Enemy, even, in attacking our Squares, were obliged to make a daring person desperately ride forwards and plant a flag, as a mark, at the very point of our bayonets. On this they charged, but were invariably repulsed.

“It fell to the 28th to bear a leading share in this Action, and they lost none of their former reputation.
 They were frequently hardly pressed, but never lost their discipline and their self-possession. 

Once, when threatened by what Sir Thomas Picton imagined an overwhelming force, he exclaimed, ‘28th, remember Egypt’. They cheered, gallantly beat back their assailants, and stood their position.”
 See an image of the 28th fighting at Quatre Bras here.

Two days later at Waterloo the 28th confirmed its steadiness, playing a part in defeating the attack of D’Erlon’s French 1st Corps. It was the only English Regiment mentioned by name in Wellington‘s Waterloo Dispatch.

The date that the rings were made is unknown, as they have no hallmark. The glass presentation case was probably made in 1815.