UK, Waterloo Medal Roll, 1815

Historical Background:

The Battle of Waterloo took place on 18 June 1815. The battle was between Napoleon’s French Army and the Seventh Coalition – a combined army that included British troops under the command of the Duke of Wellington. In this battle Napoleon was defeated and his rule of the French Empire ended.

About this data collection:

This data collection contains information extracted from the Waterloo Medal Book (original at The National Archives, reference MINT 16/112). The Waterloo Medal was the first to be issued to all ranks in the British Army who fought in a specific action. It was presented to soldiers who fought at Waterloo, as well as to those in preceding actions at Ligny and Quatre Bras. It was given to approximately 39,009 men and effectively forms a roll call of Wellington’s army.

Information listed in this database includes:

• Name of soldier
• Title
• Rank
• Regiment
• Sub Unit
• Fate

About the Waterloo Medal:

The Waterloo Medal is historically important in that it was issued to all who took part in the campaign, irrespective of rank, thus making it the British Army’s first ever true campaign medal, and setting a prototype for all such awards in the future. The medal was made of silver, and depicts the head of the Prince Regent, rather than the reigning – but insane - monarch, King George III. The reverse depicts the figure of Victory. The medal was originally suspended on a steel clip and ring, but as this was prone to rust, many wearers had their own more durable and attractive suspensions made privately. The naming is in large impressed Roman capitals, with stars at the beginning and end to fill up space. The ribbon is crimson, with blue edges. (Taken from www.military-genealogy.com).