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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 4

Waterloo 1815 (William Greenwood, 3rd Batt. 95th Reg. Foot.), good very fine

Private William Greenwood, of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, enlisted in Major Eeles's company of the 3rd Battalion 95th Foot (Rifles) in May 1812, at the age of 25 and served for four years 119 days - with two additional years noted on his Discharge Papers by virtue of being a 'Waterloo Man'. His papers also note that he was wounded, receiving a gunshot wound to the left shoulder.

All three battalions of the 95th Rifles served during the Hundred Days Campaign, though the 3rd Battalion only fielded two companies totalling a mere 205 men - the smallest British infantry unit on the field that day. At Waterloo the 3/95 were initially in reserve but, along with the rest of their Brigade, were moved to the right flank of Wellington's position once the battle commenced.
By around 5pm, at the height of the massed French cavalry attacks, the battalion found itself forward of the ridge and supporting a square of the 71st Foot to help repulse wave after wave of enemy horsemen. By the end of the day, the two depleted companies were aligned on the extreme right of the Allied line and once the final French retreat developed into a rout, they pursued their foe with the remainder of their Brigade.

Sold with copies of Greenwood's Discharge Papers.

Provenance:
Colonel Murray Collection 1908
Spink 2013

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Sold for
£2,900

Starting price
£1600