In response to a few enquiries about ancestors at Waterloo, I have a completed database of British combatants in the campaign of 1815. It is compiled of all WO97 (discharge documents), WO12 (pay musters) and WO25 (casualty rolls) kept at the PRO at Kew. In addition there is masses of biographical information from a number of other sources including regimental museums and the National Army Museum.
There are 39,000 men on this database and it is possible to search by name of the individual or place. The database has also been crossreferenced with the medal rolls for both Waterloo and the the MGS (Peninsula medal).
I will be happy to answer any queries and would also be very interested in receiving any information on individuals which I might be able to add to the database.
The more the merrier!
Regards
Mike Ryko
|
Is it possible that any East India Company soldier would have been at Waterloo? I have an ancestor Thomas Nightingale b 1797 who later received a sergeant's pension and on retirement was working at a HEIC depot. I don't know his regiment. Does he figure in your database?
|
Hi Tricia There was a Thomas Nightingale at Waterloo, from Birmingham (and two John Nightingales).
For this to be your ancestor he would have had to enlisted in one of the Regiments at Waterloo, there being no connection between the East India Regiments and the battle.
|
Do you have a regiment for Thomas?
|
Great idea Mike! Are you planning to have this database accessible on the internet at all at some future date? Or indeed available some other way?
Any chance you can post an example of a typical database entry just to get a feel of what information it contains?
Neil
|
Hi Trish The Thomas Nightingale at Waterloo was in the 4th Troop of the 7th (Queen´s Own) Hussars. He must have done well as he was promoted from Private to Corporal immediately after the battle. He was born in Birmingham and had enlisted in 1811. He took part in the last year of fighting in the Peninsula War. He was discharged in 1833 aged 41. When the MGS medal was issued (in 1848 or thereabouts) he received his with 2 clasps, for the battles of Orthes and Toulouse.
The dates of birth do not tally with your man but I hope this is of some interest or use.
Regards
Mike
|
Hi Neil Thanks for your remarks. I don´t have any plans to put it online (unless somebody wants to pay me!) but I´m more than happy to help out with any individual requests.
For an idea of a typical entry for an individual see the posting in this thread for Thomas Nightingale. I don´t have such info for EVERY man but there is usually some data and often there is considerably more.
Regards Mike
|
Many thanks Mike. Your database sounds invaluable.
|
Hi Mike, My 4xg grandfather William SUTTON fought at Waterloo. He was Drum Major (as sergeant) in the 40th Foot. Enlisted in 1799 and discharged 1819 (WO 97/566/82). He was still in France in 1816 as his daughter Matilda was born there (baptised Graincourt 25th November 1816). Would love to know what information you have on him, and am happy to add what more I know. Andy King
|
Re: Waterloo database - William Sutton
Hi Andy Sorry to take so long to get back to you,I´ve been away. I´m afraid I don´t have much more than you on Drum Major William Sutton. Born Taunton, Somerset. Enlisted 1799. Served in Peninsula (in 1848 awarded Military General Service medal with 5 clasps (Vitoria, Pyrenees, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse). Discharged 1819 aged 37. Was in the Grenadier Company at Waterloo, commanded by Captain John Henry Barnett (who was wounded). In fact three of the four officers were wounded. This company also contained Serjeant William Lawrence whose entertaining memoirs cover the campaigns in the Peninsula, France and Netherlands and can be bought "from all good bookshops"! They might even contain some mention of your ancestor.
I hope this is some use. I´d be interested to hear any more info you have.
Regards Mike
|