Having just read “Sharpe’s Fury” and the historical notes at the back, I thought that you might be interested to read a similar account, this time regarding a Sgt Charles Ewart at Waterloo. I found this whilst researching my family history (no connection to Ewart. The account comes from “a history of Flixton, Urmston and Davyhulme” which was written by Richard Lawson in 1898.The text is as follows: Charles Ewart. This gallant and brave soldier achieved one of the most coveted distinctions that a soldier can the taking of an enemy’s flag. Ewart was a sergeant in the Scots Greys the same Greys that caused Napoleon to ejaculate, more than once : “Ah, qu’ils sont terribles ces chevaux gris!” and though not given to much talking about his success, he has described the incident. It was the battle of Waterloo, and in the first charge he says, ” That I took the eagle from the enemy. The Frenchman and I had a hard contest for it. He thrust for my groin ; and 1 parried it off and cut him through the head.” The flag bore the names of various French victories, and it will be a safe assertion to make that it would not be intrusted to a duffer. Nor was it to be supposed that Ewart would get off without further trouble. He was instantly attacked by a Polish Lancer, who hurled his weapon at Ewart and missed his mark and lost his head in the bargain. Another of the enemy flred at him, and then courageously went for Ewart with his bayonet, but without any success. General Ponsonby, who had witnessed these desperate encounters, bidding the ” brave fellow to the rear ; you have done enough till you get quit of it.” Many a comrade envied the sergeant as he through the streets of Brussels proudly bore his hardly-earned trophy. His prowess caused him to be endowed with ^100 a year for life, and also he was raised to the rank of a commissioned officer. Ansdell has perpetuated the deed in his celebrated picture the “Eight for the Standard,” whilst Miss Thompson (Mrs. Butler), of later date, has introduced in her representation of the “Scots Greys at Waterloo,” a portrait- study of Sergeant Ewart, who is represented as having lost his busby. Charles Ewart, who was born at Kilmarnock, came to end his days at Davyhulme, where he died on March 23, 1846, aged 77 years, and lies buried in the graveyard* around the New Jerusalem Church, Bolton Street, Salford. Sergt. Ewart’s wife, who bravely went through the campaigns with her husband, is buried in Flixton Churchyard, at the east end. The following is inscribed at the foot of a gravestone of the Geddes feimily : ” Also, Margaret, Eelict of Ensign Ewart late of the Scots Greys, who died August 26, 1856, aged 72 years.” It is somewhat pitiful that these two worthies, who held on to one another through such eventful episodes, should in death be separated. The officers of the Scots Greys, I understand, did, sometime during last year, send an emissary relative to these two graves with the idea of (with other things) re-interring Sergt. Ewart to the grave of his ” Maggie,” but the contemplated altera- tions at the east end of Flixton Church caused the project to remain in abeyance. *This graveyard itself is now buried beneath the miscellany of a builder’s supply yard. All recognition as to its original use being non-apparent. Regards Dennis Crawford By the way, I enjoyed the book very much!

As a big Sharp fan, my son whilst a Soldier,was so amused during a talk about Sergeant Charles Ewart’s Eagle Capture, to hear another Squadie call out “What about Sharpe”. Granville Spencer