Author Archive

The Surgeon’s Blade: Limbless but Lucky

March 27, 2017 - Mick Crumplin

Three out of four surviving casualties in the French wars were hit on one or more of their limbs. Most were injured by small arms fire. Amputation of arm or leg would lead to a pension or sometimes, a miserable pauper’s life or even become a ‘badge of honour’ for the veteran. Lieutenant Colonel Henry […]

The Surgeon’s Blade: Mick Crumplin’s new Medical Blog

March 10, 2017 - Mick Crumplin

Mick Crumplin introduces his new medical blog for Waterloo 200 How many military historians properly understand the real sinews of war? The human aspects of conflict are some of the most fascinating, appalling and amazing in terms of what redcoats and matelots had to go through and sometimes would survive beyond all expectations. On the […]

The Surgeon’s Blade: Wellington’s Scottish Doctors

March 10, 2017 - Mick Crumplin

Many well-known doctors in the British armed services have for centuries come from Scotland. In the eighteenth century, the excellent parish school system educated many young men, who then took advantage of the generous post school educational opportunities north of the border. One such was Sir James McGrigor from Aberdeen, who worked closely with Wellington […]