News & Blog Posts Category
Napoleonic miniatures on show
April 21, 2017 - The Chairman
These two miniatures are part of the Portland Collection, originally at Welbeck Abbey, being exhibited The Harley Gallery on the Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire until 30 September 2017. Miniatures were very fashionable in those days and the likeness of Napoleon matches other miniatures of the time. The miniature of Empress Josephine is interesting and of course […]
The Surgeon’s Blade: The curious case of Worsley’s balls
April 13, 2017 - Mick Crumplin
These must be one (or two!) of the weirdest relics of the Napoleonic War. Lieutenant Thomas Taylor Worsley, a Yorkshireman from Hovingham, was adjutant and a junior officer in the prodigious 95th Rifles – 3rd battalion. There were only two companies of this battalion at Waterloo. They fought with General Adam’s brigade, on Wellington’s right […]
Iconic painting of the Iron Duke saved
April 11, 2017 - The Chairman
It is indeed fantastic news that this fine painting of the Duke has been saved for the Nation to enjoy. Thought by many to be the best impression of the great man particularly as it focusses on his face alone. This was because Sir Thomas Lawrence, the artist, died in 1830 before he could finish […]
The Prussian Service at Apsley House
March 27, 2017 - The Chairman
On 1 April Apsley House will open for the summer with an astonishing display. The Prussian Dinner Service given to the Great Duke in 1817 by the Prussian King as a mark of gratitude at the victory at Waterloo. It is to go on display as a fully laid table as for a banquet. It […]
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 Prince Imperial’s sword
March 24, 2017 - The Chairman
I recently mentioned the sword worn by the Prince Imperial when he was killed by Zulus whilst serving as British Officer in 1879. I wondered where it was and as the legend was that it was Napoleon’s sword that he had worn at Austerlitz it was relevant to this site. The truth is sadly more […]
Wellington’s Men Remembered
March 19, 2017 - The Chairman
On Thursday the Waterloo Association had its AGM and it was enhanced by a most interesting talk on the strategy, rather than the tactics, of the Waterloo campaign. Readers of this blog should look out for the publication of John Hussey’s magnum opus on Waterloo which goes into the minutest detail of the campaign and […]
Reenactors
March 12, 2017 - The Chairman
Maybe reenactors and their activities are not your style and Serjeant Gibson is sceptical. However I have just come across a very good bit of film on reenactment of Waterloo where most of the talking is by our own resident surgeon, Mick Crumplin. I really recommend you look at the clip here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAb-RyDiPn8. It’s Mick at […]
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 […]
