Coquet and Coast Forum
Don't forget to check out our sister site: Amble and District

Go Back   Coquet and Coast Forum > Intro Zone and General topics > General topics

 We no longer use activation emails. Please allow 24h after sign up and your account should work
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-03-2015, 08:29 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default Waterloo Veterans

The Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo is a few months away. I was wondering how many locals we have that served at Waterloo, or in the Peninsular War generally. That is any we know about!

Being a collector of medals, the odd snippet of information comes my way through the auction houses. Here for instance is the Military General Service Medal to John Burn from Felton, Peninsula War veteran, wounded at Salamanca. He was out of the war in 1813 so missed Waterloo, although I think his regiment, the 38th Foot, wasn't present at the battle anyway.

We have 'Captain William Parry' or "Troop Sergeant Major William Perrie", of Amble 'Waterloo' pub, alleged 2nd Dragoons at Waterloo.

We have a William Finn, born in Warkworth, appears to have served an astonishing 39 years, including 14 years with the 58th Foot from 1797 to his discharge in 1812. It is quite possible he also served at Salamanca, as well as a number of other famous battles.


I also recall that the 'Northumberland Militia' AKA 'The Northumberland Buffs' Regiment was ordered in 1799 to transfer ('Volunteer!') 25% of its strength to the Regular Army; this amounted to more than 266 men; who were they and where did they end up? Quite possible they were battling Napoleon's army in Egypt in 1801.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-03-2015, 08:43 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

This is the Waterloo Medal to Colour-Sergeant Andrew Matthews born at Warkworth, enlisted 1813, found himself in the Coldstream Guards and in the thick of the fighting at Waterloo.
His battalion had 55 killed, 249 wounded and 4 missing in the battle. Not nice, nearly one third of their strength. But of course Matthews had the distinction of being at one of those great turning points in world history.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-03-2015, 08:57 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Our Waterloo pub chap is confirmed on the Waterloo roll as Troop Sergeant Major with the 2nd, or 'Royal North British Dragoons', spelling is 'Perrie'.

His mob had an even tougher time in the battle than Coldstreamer Matthews; 200 total casualties out of a strength of 391, which included 102 killed! very Somme like!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-03-2015, 10:20 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

James Stanfield, born Warkworth in 1785, joined the Northumberland Militia in in 1803, transferring to the regular 38th Foot in 1809 served to 1816, then back to the Northumberland Militia in 1817, discharged 1826.

Another Warkworth Stanfield, I assume a brother of the above is also in the records:


Robert Stanfield, a gardener, born at Warkworth 1791 attested in the Coldstream Guards in 1813. Apparently just in time for Waterloo you would think, but Waterloo is struck through on his service papers so perhaps he ended up in the wrong battalion for that battle. He was discharged in 1835
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-03-2015, 10:30 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Anyway back to William Perrie, this is his unit in action at Waterloo, the famous painting of the charge of the Royal Scots Greys, (aka 2nd Dragoons), by Lady Butler.

That will be Perrie on the dark horse on the left -"If I ever get out of this bugger alive I'm going to open a pub in Amble and call it the Waterloo! C..H.A..R.G.E..!"


Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-03-2015, 10:52 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Robert Mather, born at Warkworth c. 1787 joined the Royal Artillery in 1804, served for 21 years, being Pensioned off in 1825.

An interesting note on his discharge papers states "Sergeant Mather has been paid £11-15-6 to carry his wife and eight children to Morpeth in Northumberland."

So Mather served right through the core Napoleonic period. Quite possible some of the present local Mather clan can claim him if did make it back here with his eight kids.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-03-2015, 10:54 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

shout out if you have a Napoleonic vet in your tree!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-03-2015, 11:18 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Our oldest soldier in the records so far is one Benjamin Firth, born c.1729 in Amble! they give the county as York but it is clearly 'our Amble' and he is being discharged from the 2nd Northumberland Militia, (aged 59) and his discharge is being signed at Alnwick. He also served in the 68th Foot for 22 years. His discharge is in 1788, after 4 years in the Militia, So 1764-1784 in the 68th.

The 68th Foot eventually became the Durham Light Infantry. The 68th deployed to St Vincent during the 1st Carib War, and our man Firth would be there.

Now that is interesting isn't it? Amble Ben in the 1st Carib War?? Oh the history!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-03-2015, 11:18 PM
leslie leslie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 224
Default

Only link I can claim as far as I know is through my Regimental Family. A Proud Famous Cavalry Regiment The Fifteenth Kings Hussars. Currently Their Honours are carried today by The Light Dragoons. (MEREBIMUR)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-03-2015, 11:38 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by leslie View Post
Only link I can claim as far as I know is through my Regimental Family. A Proud Famous Cavalry Regiment The Fifteenth Kings Hussars. Currently Their Honours are carried today by The Light Dragoons. (MEREBIMUR)
How far does your family line go back in the regiment? as you've said '15th' rather than '15th/19th' I think WW1 at least?

(plenty action on the Peninsular and at Waterloo for the 15th Hussars I believe)
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-03-2015, 12:34 AM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Another Warkworth Matthews:

Private Thomas Mathews born Warkworth 1796, served in the 4th Dragoon Guards for 25 years from the 1st April 1814 to the 19th September 1839
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-03-2015, 12:53 AM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Felton campaigner that came a cropper:

James Melrose, born 1760 at Felton, Northumberland, a stonemason, enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Artillery? 1778. Served 3 years then pensioned off in 1781 due to "having lost his right arm and eye at Charlestown " [sic]

Again pre-Peninsular War but what a story. The 1780 Siege of Charleston, South Carolina was a battle in the American Revolutionary War, Brits v. the Americans and French.

Melrose was only 21 when discharged.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-03-2015, 11:06 AM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

In 1841 we have a Lewis Wear in a Amble aged 50, census entry marked with a "P" so possibly a Napoleonic vet.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-03-2015, 11:12 AM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coquet View Post
In 1841 we have a Lewis Wear in a Amble aged 50, census entry marked with a "P" so possibly a Napoleonic vet.
The records do indeed show a Lewis Wear in the 7th Dragoon Guards, enlisted 1805, no service papers, but I believe the regiment had no involvement in the Napoleonic wars. Of course without a service record we will not know anything for certain.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-03-2015, 11:43 AM
janwhin janwhin is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Nr Eglingham
Posts: 1,377
Default

Not in my tree, but a cousin, veteran of the American Wars:

George Kirk, porter at Alnwick Castle for 36 years, died there in 1814, sergeant major in the 5th Regiment of Foot and severely wounded at Bunker's Hill. Born in Sheffield, allegedly enlisted at the age of 12. Awarded a silver military medal for 21 years service in 1769 (now in Fusilier Museum at the castle) presented by Earl Percy, colonel of the 5th.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-03-2015, 12:45 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by janwhin View Post
Not in my tree, but a cousin, veteran of the American Wars:

George Kirk, porter at Alnwick Castle for 36 years, died there in 1814, sergeant major in the 5th Regiment of Foot and severely wounded at Bunker's Hill. Born in Sheffield, allegedly enlisted at the age of 12. Awarded a silver military medal for 21 years service in 1769 (now in Fusilier Museum at the castle) presented by Earl Percy, colonel of the 5th.

Here's a brief history of that period in America and up to the start of the 19th century, taken from Walter Wood's book on the Northumberland Fusiliers.


"CHAPTER IV
THE WINNING OF THE PLUME
WHILE in Ireland the Fifth were frequently engaged in the Revenue service, and from time to time were called upon to suppress bands of armed peasants known by such titles as Whiteboys, Hearts of Steel, and Hearts of Oak.
When in 1774 the deplorable events between Great Britain and her North American colonies necessitated the sending of additional troops across the Atlantic, the Fifth were chosen to proceed on that service. The regiment was part of the force which caused the first blood to be shed in this memorable war. This was at Lexington, not far from Boston, on April 18, 1775. This skirmish was followed by an extraordinary march of about thirty-five miles, on a hot day, to Charlestown, from which place the troops were ferried across the river to Boston under cover of the fire of the men-of-war. The whole province being now in arms, an immense number of men invested Boston on the land side, and on the morning of June 17 it was found that they had constructed works on high ground beyond the river, known as Bunker's Hill.
The Fifth formed part of a force which was ordered to attack the heights, and the force managed to land without opposition and form up on some high ground near the shore. It was clear that the enemy was determined to defend his post, and under cover of the fire of the ships of war the troops went bravely to the assault. It required high courage, too, to face a defence like that on such a day, for the heat was great and the hill that was stormed was steep. The men were encumbered with three days' provisions ; they had their knapsacks on their backs, and altogether carried a weight of 125 lbs. They had to force their way through grass which reached to their knees, and was intersected with walls and fences of various enclosures. Further, they were met by a fierce and well-directed fire, so that the conquest of Bunker's Hill became an unusually severe task. Twice the British troops were stopped in their assault, and twice they returned to the charge. Nothing but sheer pluck and physical power could have ensured success, and it speaks well for the quality of the Fifth in those days that they gained their goal despite almost overwhelming obstacles. They made a last grand rush with fixed bayonets, and having actually come face to face with the foe, they drove him out of the works and remained masters of the situation. Well might General Burgoyne say of Bunker's Hill that " the Fifth has behaved the best and suffered the most," for in the assault the regiment had a loss of officers and men which proved a very serious drain on its resources.

This success was great, but the army remained at Boston in a state of blockade, and so hard pressed for fresh provisions and other necessaries were the troops, that live cattle and vegetables, and even fuel, were dispatched from England. Many of the ships containing these supplies, however, were either wrecked or fell into the hands of the Americans, and the consequence was that sickness and death made havoc amongst the imprisoned soldiers. Side by side with this scarcity of food was the renewed activity of the enemy, who suffered from no such lack of needful things. Evacuation became inevitable, and in March 1776 the army embarked from Boston and went to Halifax ; but most of the troops had to remain on board ship, as the town had neither accommodation nor food enough for them.
For several months the Fifth were engaged in minor operations in various districts, at all times mindful of their reputation, and enduring privations and lean living with a fortitude that earned for them unstinted admiration. Between the fight at Bunker's Hill and another severe action in which the Fifth greatly distinguished themselves, they were concerned in the attack on Long Island (August 27, 1776), the capture of White Plains (October 28) and Fort Washington (November 16). In 1777 they were quartered in the Island of New Jersey, and on October 4 took part in the defence of Germantown, where they fought bravely and suffered severely. The next year, 1778, was an eventful one, for during it the Fifth earned the right to the plume which for so long a period has been peculiar to the regiment. In September 300 men of the regiment and New Jersey Volunteers embarked in transports on an expedition to Little Egg Harbour, in New Jersey, a place which in those days was noted for its connection with privateers. On reaching the harbour the detachment went on board small vessels, which, with several row-galleys, proceeded twenty miles up the river to Chestnut Neck, where, under the cover of the galley's fire, the troops landed. Of that little expedition the Fifth made a thoroughly good bit of work, for having routed the enemy's forces which opposed the descent, they chased it into the woods, and then returned and destroyed the village, as well as several store¬houses and armed vessels. Subsequently a night excursion was made ten miles farther up the river, the result being that the troops surprised some companies of the enemy in their quarters, put many to death at the point of the bayonet, and destroyed the enemy's shelter. This was accomplished with the loss of only two killed and two wounded of the Fifth.
As soon as this detachment had returned, the regiment was ordered to form part of an expedition against the French West Indies, and sailed from Sandy Hook on November 3, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Sir William) Medows, its chief. The expedition reached St. Lucie on December 13, and immediately the Fifth, by another exhibition of valour, secured a distinction as unique as that of the third colour. This work began with the capture of the town of Morne Fortuné on December 14. The Fifth, having seized the town, the governor's house, and the hospital and barracks, occupied an important post named La Vigie, situated on a tongue of land commanding the north side of the Carenage Harbour, and separated by that harbour from the rest of the
army. Meanwhile the French fleet had arrived off the harbour and had disembarked 9000 men, and on the 18th this force attacked the handful of soldiers of the Fifth under Medows. The enemy, in three columns, made three fierce attacks, and were beaten off each time. They lost about 400 killed and 1100 wounded, while the British killed numbered only 10, and the wounded 130.
Once more the English had overpowered the French, and the conduct of the Fifth was signalised by the granting to them of the right to wear a white plume in the cap instead of the red and white tuft worn by other regiments of the line, the Fifth having taken from the bodies of slain French Grenadiers enough white feathers to decorate every man in the regiment. Those were the days in which colours were essentially a rallying-point, and Medows, who was in command, at one great crisis of the battle, finding that his ammunition was nearly done, drew up his gallant band in front of them, and waving his sword, exclaimed, " Soldiers, as long as you have a bayonet to point against
an enemy's breast, defend these colours ! " Besides uttering these inspiring words he set a glorious personal example, for he refused to quit his post, though wounded severely in the right arm, and continued to ride from point to point until the attack was over and the victory assured. In a letter from Morne Fortuné, dated December 19, General Grant said : " I cannot express how much I feel obliged to you, and the troops under your command, for repulsing, with so much spirit and bravery, so great a body of the enemy, and own it was just what I expected from you and them."
From this time until the end of the century the Fifth served on both sides of the Atlantic, renewing their associations with Ireland. In 1784 they received the denomination of the Northumberland Regiment, in compliment to Earl Percy, who for sixteen years had held the command, and was then promoted to the colonelcy of the second troop of Horse Grena¬dier Guards.
The colours of the Fifth, which time and battle had reduced to shreds, were in 1785 replaced by a new set. This was on St. George's Day, on the evening of which " the men dined sumptuously in the barrack-yard by companies, at the expense of their lately promoted colonel, Earl Percy."
Just before the century ended, the Fifth were once more in Holland, the country in which so many of their fighting years had been passed, and where they did good service in spite of hardships which the Duke of York in General Orders described as " insupportable." The Fifth were amongst the last of the British troops to leave Holland in 1799. The regiment had been divided into two battalions of 800 each this year, and these battalions, after a short stay in England, were ordered to Gibraltar in 1800.


Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-03-2015, 12:58 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Of course during this time the Northumberland Militia was very active, being called upon for service in many parts of the Great Britain and Ireland; not unusual for them to march to London etc for some 'peacekeeping' duties (read crushing riots). Not the same sort of glory as the Napoleonic campaigners though!
Many thousands of Northumbrians must have passed through the ranks of the Militia over the years, so if you have Northumberland ancestry from the 17th and 18th centuries then your chances of having a Northumberland Militiaman in your tree are probably good. Whether you can find the paperwork to prove such a thing is another kettle of fish!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-03-2015, 01:13 PM
janwhin janwhin is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Nr Eglingham
Posts: 1,377
Default

Of course, there were plenty of other county militia marching up to crush us lot! You can see that in the baptism registers for Alnwick and Warkworth. Happy days.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-03-2015, 01:55 PM
Coquet's Avatar
Coquet Coquet is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Amble
Posts: 3,253
Default

Aye, not the friend of the working man fighting for better terms and conditions!
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-03-2015, 02:45 PM
leslie leslie is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 224
Default

My grandfather Alec Johnson(Spittal and Berwick Johnsons) served in WW1 with Northumberland Hussars Cycle Brigade. An affiliated regiment of The 15/19th Kings Royal Hussars! The 15th ( The Gay Hussars, gay meant something else in Regency times!! ) were very active in most of Peninsular war battles, Most Famous for regiment is Sahagun 21st Dec 1808, I had in my hands last month a pair of medals The Peninsular Medal several campaign bars including the rare Sahagun bar and to the same Hussar His Waterloo Medal A rare honour ! a dream to own them ! the Fifteenth were also involved with the notorious Peterloo Massacre, (Not talked about in regimental circles) The only involvement in the Crimea was that Capt Nolan was A 15th Light dragoons attached to the Staff of General Airey, Nolan of Charge of The Light Brigade Fame! The 15th were first British Army regiment to be awarded a Battle Honour Namely EMSDORF , 14th July 1760 during Seven Years War.. within a year of being raised by Elliot(Gibraltar)The 19th Were Predominantly in India . Their Famous honour Is ASSAYE September 23rd 1803 with Wellesley(Wellington) during the Second Anglo Maratha Wars, He said that Assaye was the bloodiest battle he fought! The Nineteenth hold the rare honour NIAGARA for their Actions in 1812 war US /Canada, the only british regiment to do so (I believe). Proud to have served in a historic regiment! No Battle Honour for campaign I served several tours of duty in! The longest campaign carried out by the British Forces nearly Forty Years! at great cost of life!

Last edited by leslie; 04-03-2015 at 02:50 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 02:20 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.