Dear Mr. Cornwell, I have greatly enjoyed your Sharpe stories, as have so many. Today I was researching our family name, Dyas, and across the startling story below. Can you tell me if the story of Ensign Joseph Dyas was in any way an inspiration for some of Richard Sharpe’s story? Thanks, and best wishes! Inga Holmquist

Joseph Dyas was an Ensign (later Captain) in the British 51st (2nd South Yorkshire, West Riding ) Light Infantry, with whom he served throughout the Peninsula and at Waterloo. At Badajoz on 6th April 1811, one of the bloodiest actions of the Peninsula campaign, Ensign Dyas twice volunteered to be part of the ‘Forlorn Hope’, storming into the breach of San Cristobel Fort. On the second occasion he led the party after its commander, Major McGreachy, and all the other officers were killed. He was offered immediate promotion by Wellington into another regiment, but Dyas declined to leave the 51st and subsequently served with them throughout the Peninsula and at Waterloo, reaching the rank of Captain. ‘The Stormers’ – refers to the gallantry of the ‘Forlorn Hope’ led by Ensign Dyas and originally it was the custom to toast ‘Ensign Dyas’ throughout the Peninsula Army. In later years, however, the practice has been restricted to the KOYLI to toast ‘Ensign Dyas and the Stormers’ in silence. From: http://51stlightinfantry.co.uk/ensigndyas.html