Dear Mr Cornwell,
I would be intrigued to learn whether your Sharpe series were inspired by the life of Sergeant William Lawrence of the 40th Foot. His cv (as it were) bears a remarkable resemblance to that of your hero; he fought in all the battles mentioned in your books, including being a member of the Forlorn Hope at Badajoz, and after Waterloo he married a French lady and retired to live in Dorset. He is buried in Studland Church.
Yours sincerely,,
I C Ruff