The Scum of the Earth

Today is Waterloo day. 205 years since once of the most famous British battles took place on the fields of Belgium. Ingrained into our collective consciousness, Waterloo is the title of the Eurovision winning Abba song, a London railway station and the name of a local Indian restaurant just outside Carlisle. 'Waterloo' produced the first campaign medal ever awarded to the ordinary soldier, and many British Army Regiments ('the scum of the earth') claim to have been on the battlefield with the Duke of Wellington. But neither the 34th (Cumberland) or the 55th (Westmoreland) Regiments of Foot were involved in the events of the 18th June 1815. So where were they?

Like many regiments both the 34th and 55th played a crucial role in the defeat of Napoleon, serving in Portugal, France, Spain and Holland. They also continued in their vital role of defending other parts of Britain's growing Empire, in both the West Indies and India. In 1802, the 34th went to India and served there for the next 21 years, during which times companies were involved in the Mahratta Wars (1817-20), for which the Regiment received no battle honours and the soldiers received no medals.

With security fears from the risk of invasion, the British Government ordered many regiments to raise a second battalion. This included the 34th, their second thousand-strong battalion placed on the establishment in 1804. It was this battalion that found itself on the Spanish Peninsular with Wellington, involved in various battles including Albuera, Vittorio and Arroyo dos Molinos. 

The legendary captured French drums from Arroyo are still on display in the Museum, and the 34th were the only Regiment in the British Army to hold the Arroyo battle honour. At the time of Waterloo, the 2/34th were still to be found in Spain. Two years later as the British Army became smaller, the 2/34th were disbanded.

On the other hand, the 55th served in the West Indies between 1802 and 1812, garrisoning Jamaica for ten of these years. The remaining companies returned home and rejoined the Depot Companies based in Carlisle. By December of 1813, they found themselves part of the expedition to the Netherlands, under Sir Thomas Graham, where they took part in the failed siege at Bergen-op-Zoom in March 1814. A large number of Graham's forces were killed, wounded or taken prisoner although Ensigns Goodall and Ring saved the 55th Colours from capture by wrapping the flags around their bodies. The 55th remained with the British Forces that took Antwerp in May following Napoleon's abdication, and then went onto Williamstadt, bound for England. Once again, no honours or medals.

So neither local Regiment has a connection to this important battle (except Captain Evatt of the 55th, who was a staff officer at Waterloo) because they were serving or fighting elsewhere. The well-known quote from Wellington should read 'the scum of the earth...it is really wonderful that we should have made them the fine fellows that they are' applied to the infantry over which he commanded. But, especially today, if we are bringing up Waterloo related quotes, my all-time favourite has to be:

Lord Uxbridge: By God, sir, I've lost my leg!

The Duke of Wellington: By God, sir, so you have!