I remember my father at a regimental reunion pointing at the colours and informing me with pride that the ‘South Lancs’ (South Lancashire Regiment Prince of Wales’ Volunteers) had the most battle honours of any regiment, one of its proudest being Wellington’s recognition of the regiment at Waterloo. Each time I read Sharpe’s Waterloo I remember my father’s words. After many readings, I decided to write to you and pass on the following:

WATERLOO In 1815 Napoleon returned from exile and the 2/30th, 1/40th, 2/59th and 2/81st joined Wellington’s army for the Waterloo campaign. The 30th took part in the initial engagement at Quatre Bras, where they steadily formed a square to repulse French cavalry charges, and were with the rearguard when Wellington fell back to his chosen ground at Waterloo. The 40th joined the army at Waterloo shortly before the battle commenced on 18th June 1815. The 59th were with a brigade detached to cover Wellington’s right flank while the 81st, despite the entreaties, could not be spared from duties in Brussels. The 30th occupied a position in the right centre of the British front line throughout the day and for six hours sustained the attacks of massed cavalry and infantry supported by murderous artillery fire. Eleven times they were charged by Marshal Ney’s cavalry but the square was never broken. Towards the end of the day they advanced in line to meet a column of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard and routed them with one volley. By evening nearly half the Battalion had fallen and the survivors were commanded by the officer sixth in seniority, all his seniors having been killed or wounded. The 40th were at first in reserve but later were moved into the centre of the allied line, near the farm of La Haye Sainte. There, like the 30th, they withstood repeated attacks by cavalry and infantry and were pounded by cannon, but they stood firm. Towards evening they drove back Napoleon’s final attack by massed infantry. Shortly afterwards the Duke of Wellington personally ordered the Regiment to advance. The 40th charged, swept away the French infantry to their front and took part in the recapture of La Haye Sainte. One quarter of the Regiment fell that day. For their steadfastness and discipline at Waterloo the 30th and 40th were permitted to encircle their badge with a Laurel Wreath. The battle is commemorated annually by the Regiment. It seems such a shame that (in the TV programme),Sharpe cannot even bring himself to say “Prince of Wales’ Volunteers. Wellington’s words to Sharpe to continue the rout of the Imperial Guard were actually addressed to the PWV, embryonic regiment. Of course, the Laurel Wreath still forms part of the regimental badge of the Lancashire regiment, a tribute to those who died in the Battle of Waterloo. I’m sorry to make this such a long message and hope you will forgive me.. I still think Sharpe will rank alongside Holmes and others as iconic British literary characters. Thank you for years of pleasure.

Lionel Anthony