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Waterloo Medal
18th June 1815

From L. L. Gordon, British Battles and Medals, 5^th Edition revised:

Though styled the Waterloo Medal, it was awarded to anyone who had taken part in one or more of the following battles Ligny, 16th June; Quatre Bras, 16th June; Waterloo, 18th June. Every soldier present at either of these battles was credited with two extra years’ service, to count for all purposes.

By a General Order dated 29th July, 1815, the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards were granted the title of "Grenadiers" for their service during the battle of Waterloo.

This is the first medal issued by the British Government to all soldiers present. This statement must not be confused and read as if this were the first battle for which a general issue was made. The Dunbar Medal of 1650 was issued to both officers and men, but there is no verification of its having been given to all officers and men. The Military General Service Medal commemorates earlier battles, but was not issued until 1848.

It is also the first campaign medal awarded to the next-of-kin of men killed in action. (The Highland Society’s medal of 1801 was not a campaign medal.)

It is not generally known that this medal also has another distinction in that it was the first on which the recipient’s name was impressed around the edge by machine.

Major L. L. Gordon, British Battles and Medals, 5^th Edition revised by Edward C. Joslin,
London, Spinks & Son Ltd., 1979

		"The 13th at Waterloo" recounts the actions of the 13th Light Dragoons during the Waterloo Campaign of 1815. From the Regimental History, C. R. B. Barrett, History of the XIII Hussars, 1911
		The 13th Hussars, formerly 13th Light Dragoons, are a cavalry regiment with a long tradition. They served in the Peninsula Campaign and Waterloo, in Scotland, India, Ireland, and the West Indies. They are perhaps best known for their part in the Charge of the Light Brigade before the guns at Balaclava in the Crimean War. The regiment continues today as part of The Light Dragoons, an armored regiment of the British Army that saw service in Desert Storm.

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