The Waterloo Roll Call
Hervey rode up, by mistake, to a small detachment of French cavalry.
Fortunately for him, the men were dismounted, and busily employed in
cooking their rations; but no sooner was the colonel discovered, and
his rank recognized, than the order to mount was given. Hervey and
his orderly, finding the odds greatly against them, immediately
started off at a tremendous pace to reach our lines. The French
dragoons were quickly in their saddles, for the prize was worth
gaining, and amidst wild shouts and loud halloes, gave chase to
their flying foes. The noise attracted the attention of some of the
enemy’s lancers, who, being posted nearer the English forces, were
enabled to cut off the retreat of the fugitives. The clattering of
the horses’ hoofs, who had thus joined in the pursuit, sounded like
a death-knell to the two gallant soldiers. ‘Your only chance,
colonel,’ said the faithful orderly, ‘is to make for that ravine.’
Hervey followed the suggestion; the ravine was narrow, with only
room for one horse to enter. No sooner had he gained it than, on
looking round, a terrible sight presented itself. The devoted
soldier, knowing that the life of his commanding officer could alone
be saved by the sacrifice of his own, had placed himself across the
narrow opening, and was literally pierced and cut to pieces. The
delay thus occasioned enabled Hervey to pursue his flight. Gaining
the open, he charged a stiff fence, and was soon out of sight of his
pursuers.” He m., 1817, Louisa Catherine, 3rd dau. of Richard Caton,
of Maryland, U.S.A.; was created a baronet, with remainder to his
brother Frederick, 3rd Oct., 1818, and d. s. p. 24th Sept., 1819.
Lt.-Col. Robt. Torrens, 1st W.I. Regt.
Afterwards Lt.-Col. of 38th Regt. and Adjt.-Gen. in India. C.B.
Belonged to the Londonderry family of this name, and was a near
relative of Sir Henry Torrens, K.C.B., the Adjt.-Gen. In 1836 Col.
Torrens was appointed a Commissioner by Parliament, for carrying out
their scheme for the colonisation of South Australia.
Lt.-Col. Sir Charles Broke, K.C.B. (Permanent).
2nd son of Philip Broke, of Nacton, Suffolk. Served in the
expeditions to Hanover and South America; also in the Pa. K.C.B. in
Jan., 1815. Decorated with the Russian Order of St. Vladimir and the
Dutch Order of Wilhelm, for his gallantry at Waterloo. In 1822 took
the surname of Vere, in addition to that of Broke. A.D.C. to King
Wm. IV., and K.C.H.; M.P. for East Suffolk. His elder brother was
created a bart. in 1813, in consideration of the gallant victory he
had achieved 1st June, 1813, as capt. of the “Shannon” ship of war,
over the American frigate “Chesapeake.” Sir C. Broke-Vere d. a
maj.-gen. 1st April, 1843.
Lt.-Col. Sir Jeremiah Dickson, K.C.B. (Permanent).
Joined the 2nd Dn. Gds., as cornet, in 1798. Served in the Pa., and
was A.Q.M.G. to the army in Spain, and received the gold cross and
one clasp. Promoted col. 27th May, 1825; appointed Q.M.G. in India,
12th July, 1827, maj.-gen. 1837, and Col.-in-Chf. 61st Regt., 1844.
M. 15th March, 1818, Jemima, youngest dau. of Thos. Langford Brooke,
of Mere Hall, co. Chester. Sir Jeremiah’s parentage is unknown, but
from his Scripture name we may conclude that “Job Dickson,” ens.
67th Regt., in 1811, was a near relative. Sir Jeremiah d. in March,
1848.
Lt.-Col. Lord Greenock (Permanent).
Charles Murray, Lord Greenock succeeded his father, in 1843, as 2nd
Earl Cathcart, G.C.B., Gen. and Col.-in-Chf. 1st D.G. Received the
gold medal for Barrosa. Gov. Edinburgh Castle, Comr. of the Forces
and Gov.-Gen. in North America. Bn. 1783; d. at St. Leonard’s 16th
July, 1859, having m., 30th Sept., 1818, in France, Henrietta, 2nd
dau. of Thos. Mather, and left issue.
Lt.-Col. John George Woodford, 1st Ft. Gds.
Bn. at Chatham, 28th Feb., 1785. Younger son of Col. John Woodford,
by his 2nd wife (Susan, dau. of Cosmo, Duke of Gordon) and widow of
9th Earl of Westmoreland. D.A.Q.M.G. at Corunna, and with Sir J.
Moore when the latter was wounded. Wounded same day, and horse shot.
Was attached to Gen. Sir C. Colville’s division, but was sent, on
the evening of 17th June, by his gen. to Wellington, to ask him if
the British troops at Hal should join the main army. Only reached
Waterloo a few hours before the battle commenced. Acted as extra
A.D.C. to Wellington at Waterloo. C.B. and Col. Maj.-Gen. in 1837.
K.C.B. and K.C.H. D. 22nd March, 1879.
Lt.-Col. C. Grant, 11th Foot.
Colquhoun Grant joined the 11th Foot in 1795, and attained the rank
of Lt. Col. of 54th Regt. in 1821. C.B. for Waterloo. Son of Duncan
Grant, of Lingeston, N.B. D. at Aix-la-Chapelle in the spring of
1829.
Lt.-Col. Sir Wm. M. Gomm, K.C.B., 2nd Ft. Gds.
Afterwards F.-M. Sir Wm. Maynard Gomm, G.C.B., Constable of the
Tower and Col.-in-Chf. 13th Regt. L.I.; also D.C.L. and LL.D. This
veteran soldier and philanthropist was son of Lieut.-Col. Wm. Gomm,
who had served in America in the 46th Regt. The family is
undoubtedly of French origin. As far back as 1685 we find Sir
Bernard de Gomme appointed Master Surveyor of the Ordnance. Wm. M.
Gomm entered the army, as ensign, in 1794, and at the age of 14
carried the colours of the 9th Foot—the Holy Boys—into action in
Holland. Served in the Pa., and received the gold cross and one
clasp. The charger he rode at Waterloo, by name “George,” survived
until 1841, aged 33, and was buried under a stone seat in the garden
at Stoke Park, near Windsor. The veteran charger’s veteran master
held the high post of C.-in-C. in India, and received a F.-M.’s
baton in Jan., 1868. He d. at Brighton, 15th March, 1875, full of
years and good works. By his wife Eliz. (eldest dau. of Lord Robert
Kerr), whom he m. in 1830, he had no issue.
Lt.-Col. Sir Henry Hollis Bradford, K.C.B., 1st Ft. Gds., W.
Bn. 25th June, 1781. 3rd and youngest son of Thos. Bradford, of
Woodlands, near Doncaster and Ashdown Pk., co. Sussex, by Eliz.,
dau. of Wm. Otter, of Welham, co. Notts; served in the Pa., Knt. of
the Dutch Order of Wilhelm, and of the Russian Order of St.
Vladimir. D. at La Vacherie, near Lillière, France, 7th Dec., 1816,
of wounds recd. at Waterloo. Bur. at Storrington, Sussex.
Lt.-Col. Sir George Scovell, K.C.B., h. p.
Aftds. G.C.B., Col.-in-Chf. 4th Lt. Dns., and Gov. Rl. Milit.
College, Sandhurst. Served in the Pa., and was present at Corunna as
D.A.Q.M.G. Recd. the gold cross and one clasp; also the silver war
medal with eight clasps, and 4th class of St. Vladimir of Russia. D.
at Henley Park, Guildford, 17th Jan., 1861.
Lt.-Col. D. Kelly, 73rd Foot.
Dawson Kelly joined the 47th Regt. as ens. in 1800. Became major of
the 73rd in 1811. Towards the close of the battle of Waterloo a
sergeant of his regt. came and told him that all the officers of the
73rd were killed or wounded. Although serving on the staff, Kelly
immediately returned to take over the command. C.B. and bt.-lt.-col.
On h. p. 15th Jan., 1818. Bt.-col. 1837. D. same year at Dungannon,
Ireland. He was 5th son of Thos. Kelly, of Dawson’s Grove, co.
Armagh, by his wife, Jane Waring. M.I. in Armagh Cathedral.
Communicated by Lt.-Col. G.H. Johnston, late 15th Foot.
Maj. W. Campbell, 23rd Foot.
Was A.D.C. to Gen. Craufurd in the Pa. D. a C.B. and maj.-gen. 3rd
June, 1852.
Maj. Hon. George Lionel Dawson, 1st Dn. Gds., W.
3rd son of John, 2nd Visct., and 1st Earl of Portarlington, by Lady
Caroline Stuart, dau. of 3rd Earl of Bute. Bn. 28th Oct. 1788.
Promoted bt.-lt.-col. 4th Dec., 1815. Placed on h. p. 17th Aug.,
1820. C.B. Assumed the additional surname of Damer 14th March, 1829.
M., 20th Aug., 1825, Mary, dau. of Lord Hugh Seymour, and had issue.
D., 14th April, 1856.
Maj. Chas. Beckwith, 95th Foot, W.
Son of Capt. John Beckwith, 23rd Lt. Dns., and nephew of Sir George
and Sir T.S. Beckwith. Bn. at Halifax, N.S., 2nd Oct., 1789. His
mother was a sister of Judge Haliburton (Sam Slick). Brigade-maj. to
the celebrated Light Division in the Pa. Lost his left leg at
Waterloo. Was a frequent visitor at Apsley House. Being one day left
alone in the Duke’s library his attention was called to Gilly’s
_Waldensee_, which book graphically described the neglected state of
the Waldensee inhabitants. His interest was touched, and soon after
he took up his abode among those “primitive Christians of the Alps.”
Beckwith did much for the good of the people, by whom he was greatly
beloved. He d. as maj.-gen. at Torre, 19th July, 1862. See _Memoir
of General Beckwith, C.B._, by M. Meille, translated, London, 1873.
Also Foster’s _Yorkshire Pedigrees_.
Capt. Jas. Shaw, 43rd Foot.
Aftds. Sir James Shaw-Kennedy, K.C.B. Bn. 1788. Educated at the
Military College at Marlow. Joined the 43rd L.I. as ens., 1805.
Served with this regt. at Copenhagen, and proceeded to the Pa. in
1808. Served at Corunna, and in 1809 was adjt. Was A.D.C. to Gen.
Robert Craufurd during 1809 and 1810. Present at siege of Ciudad
Rodrigo. “Stood with Gen. Craufurd when, in the assault of that fort
and place, he placed himself on the crest of the glacis, where he
fell mortally wounded.” Served at the siege and storming of Badajoz,
at Salamanca, and other actions. “On 18th June, 1815, he was
allowed, in presence of Wellington, to form the 3rd Division (to
which he was attached), in a new and unusual order of battle, to
meet the formidable masses of cavalry seen forming in its front, and
in this formation the division resisted, successfully, repeated
attacks of Napoleon’s cavalry.” Commanded at Calais during the three
years of the Army of Occupation. Organised the constabulary force of
Ireland. Bt. maj. for Waterloo. M., 1820, Mary, dau. of David
Kennedy, and assumed his wife’s name. D. a lt.-gen. and Col.-in-Chf.
47th Regt., 30th May, 1865.
Capt. J. Jessop, 44th Foot, W.
Served as A.D.C. to Gen. Dunlop in the Pa. The late Gen. Sir George
L’Estrange thus speaks of John Jessop in his _Recollections_
(published in 1873):—“A splendid officer, a perfect gentleman,
particularly handsome, and a capital good fellow.” Made C.B. for
Waterloo. Placed on h. p. as bt.-maj., 44th Regt., 1821. D. at
Butterley Hall, Derbyshire, in Sept., 1869, aged 90.
DEPUTY-ASSISTANT QUARTERMASTERS-GENERAL.
Capt. E.T. Fitzgerald, 25th Foot, W.
Edward Thos. Fitzgerald, K.H., 2nd son of Charles Fitzgerald, of
Turlough Park, Castlebar, was bn. 22nd Dec., 1784. Placed on h. p.
as bt. maj., 1818. M., 20th Nov., 1811, Emma, dau. of Edmond Green,
of Medham, in the Isle of Wight, and had issue. D., at Castlebar,
1845, as lt.-col. h. p.
Capt. Richard Brunton, 60th Foot.
The name of Brunton is to be found in the Lowlands of Scotland. The
above officer, who bore this name, served in the Pa., and obtained
his company in the 60th in 1813. Exchanged to the 13th Lt. Dns.
1819. Maj. in 1826, and lt.-col. of same regt. 1830. M. 30th June,
1829, Eliz., eldest dau. of Rev. Josiah Thomas, Archdeacon of Bath
(by Susanna Harington), and widow of Major Wallace, of the Madras
Cavalry, who was shot on parade in India by a sepoy of his regt.
Col. Brunton d. at Bath, 1846, leaving issue by his wife, who
re-married Edward Downe, of Abbeyside, Dungarvan.