Beschreibung:

A Scarce Waterloo ‘Long Service & Good Conduct’ Pair awarded to Corporal John Taylor 1st Battalion, 71st (Highland Light Infantry) Foot, comprising: Waterloo Medal, 1815, with replacement steel clip and ring suspension (Corp. John Taylor 1st Batt. 71st Reg. Foot.), 71st Foot Regimental Medal, in silver, 48mm, with silver suspension and ribbon bar, obverse engraved ‘ For Courage, Loyalty & Good Conduct’ with crowned ‘71’ at centre, and ’10 Years Service’ below, reverse with combined emblems at centre, engraved ‘Tria Juncta In Uno’ above, without hallmarks, with old section of tartan ribbon [cf. Balmer R446a]; the first officially impressed, the latter unnamed as issued, pair loose. Toned, the first with minor obverse edge bruise at 3 o’clock, light surface marks and tiny scratches to both, otherwise nearly good very fine, and a scarce pair. (2) ex Needes Collection, 1908 Corporal John Taylor fought at the Battle of Waterloo in Captain James Henderson’s Company, 71st Foot, the regiment placed in the 3rd (Light) Brigade of Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton’s 2nd Division. The 71st Foot, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Reynell , were initially held in a reserve position on the right flank to the rear of Hougoumont (given their recent arrival after 2-day’s march) but were later brought forward into line to support the British regiments between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte. As recorded in the anonymous ‘The Journal of a Highland Soldier, of the 71st or Glasgow Regiment, Highland L.I.’’: “The artillery had been tearing away, since day-break, in different parts of the line. About twelve o’clock we received orders to fall in, for attack…General Barnes gave the word, ‘Form Square’. In a moment the whole brigade were on their feet to receive the enemy. The General said ‘ Seventy-first, I have often heard of your bravery, I hope it will not be worse, than it has been, to-day.’ Down they came upon our square. We soon put them to right…The noise and smoke were dreadful…all around the wounded and slain lay very thick. We then moved on, in column, for a considerable way, and formed line; gave three cheers, fired a few volleys, charged the enemy, and drove them back.” Napoleon subjected this area to heavy artillery fire and repeated cavalry attacks led by Marshall Ney, but the line held. The 71st played their part in the repulse of the Imperial Guard, and reputedly fired the last shot of battle with an artillery piece they had just captured, turning it to fire onto the fleeing French forces. In total, the 1st/71st suffered the loss of 16 officers and 171 men killed and wounded at Waterloo. Sold with copy original roll mention (possibly showing name as Tyler), contemporary accounts & extracts, and other research.