Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 42

An important Waterloo Medal to Private J. Bannister, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards; Bannister served with Lord Saltoun's Light Company in Hougoumont's Great Orchard, beating off determined assaults by vastly superior numbers of French infantry

Waterloo 1815 (Jos. Bannister, 3rd Batt. Grenad. Guards.), original steel clip and replacement straight bar suspension, slight edge bruise, good very fine

Provenance:
Baldwin's, August 1972.

Joseph Bannister served in the 1815 Waterloo Campaign as a Private in the Light Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Foot Guards, commanded by Alexander Fraser, 16th Baron Saltoun (1785-1853). He would have been present at Quatre Bras on 16 June, when the Guards secured Wellington's position by evicting Jérôme's Division from Bossu Wood. Bannister's skill as a sharpshooter was in great demand, as the French took full advantage of the cover afforded them by the trees and foliage. Costly skirmishes took place in which French voltigeurs would melt into the undergrowth before the Guards could close with the bayonet. It was a frustrating action in which the Guards lost heavily.

During the night of 17 June, having redeployed his army nine miles south of Brussels on the ridge of Mont St. Jean, Wellington ordered all four Guards Light Companies - one from each Guards Battalion - to leave the ridge and prepare Hougoumont farm for defence the following day. In torrential rain, the guardsmen laboured to build fire-steps up against Hougoumont's 2 metre high red-brick walls, into which they bored loopholes with their bayonets. Pioneers of the King's German Legion were sent from La Haye Sainte to assist. The Guards arrived just in time, as French patrols very nearly took Hougoumont for the Emperor.

At the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June, both 1st Foot Guards Light Companies - under Saltoun's overall command - were stationed in the Great Orchard to the east of Hougoumont, an area of roughly 200 square metres that was fiercely contested throughout the day. The assault closest to capturing Hougoumont was that of Baudin's Brigade at 11.30 a.m. The French 1st and 2nd Light Regiments moved forward in skirmish order, driving back Hanoverian and Nassau contingents. Saltoun led his two companies in a spirited charge which stopped the French from encircling the position. At around 2 p.m. the French brought up a howitzer which poured canister into Saltoun's men at point-blank range; both Light Companies made unsuccessful attempts to seize the artillery piece. At 2.45 p.m. Saltoun was relieved by the 3rd Foot Guards under Colonel Hepburn. He then marched his Light Companies back up the ridge to join their parent Battalions, meaning that Bannister also served in the repulse of the Imperial Guard at 8 p.m.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£2,100