Recently, I read your book “Waterloo”- an excellent read and so deeply researched.  I noted quite a few references to the German Legion, so I think you must have looked into that unit’s records.  This is the reason I’m contacting you.

My great great grandfather was described at his marriage (1838) in Caernarvon, as “gentleman”.  When his three daughters were born, he was variously described as “half-pay officer”, “Captain in the Army”, “Army Officer”.  When one of his daughters married (long after he was presumed dead) she described her father as “Captain in the Army”.

He was not present at the births and baptism of his first and third daughters but he was present at the birth of his middle daughter.  He was the informant of the birth to the civil authorities and, as the baptism was the same day, it’s reasonable to suppose he was present.  The Llanbeblig parish records show his occupation as “Captain in the German Legion”.

His wife remarried in 1849, in the same church in which she married George Austin, describing herself as a widow.  So he died (no record known to me) or scarpered.

I cannot find this fellow in the Army List, the Waterloo Record or anywhere else–he may have been a liar/conman — who knows?

Can you suggest, from your experience perusing German Legion records, where I might look to see if this great greatgrandfather was a hero or a fake?

Best

David Burton