The Battle of Waterloo 1815
The 2nd Battalion of the 44th Essex were called into action on 18 June 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo and were allocated a position near some farm buildings called Quartre Bas.
The
battlefield at Waterloo as seen from the 44th Essex Position
French Lancers attacked as the Regiment was forming up when it was at a disadvantage having no support on either flank and arranged in lines 2 men deep rather than the squares employed as defence against cavalry. This deployment allowed the lancers to attack from front and rear.
A French lancer made a grab for the colours with his lance but the flag was secured by Ensign Christie despite serious wounds. The Lancer then tried to escape with some of the colour still on his lance but he was killed in the attempt to get away.
Ensign Christie had been promoted from Sergeant Major in 1812 and was promoted to Lieutenant after Waterloo in recognition of his bravery.
This defence allowed other Regiments to form the defensive squares and thus blunt the effectiveness of the cavalry.
The Regiment earned great praise for their stand against the attack from Lord Wellesley-"The troops were long and severely engaged and conducted themselves with utmost gallantry".
14 other ranks were killed and 151 were wounded.
The Officers killed or wounded are listed below.
Killed
Lt William Tomkins
Ensign Peter Cooke
Wounded
Lt Colonel John M Hammerton
Major George O'Malley
Captain Adam Brugh
Captain William Burnley
Captain Mildmay Fane
Captain David Power
Lt James Burke
Lt John Campbell
Lt Robert Grier
Lt William Marcus Herne
Lt Robert Russell
Lt William Burrough Strong
Ensign James Christie
Ensign James Carnegie Webster
Ensign Benjamin Whitney
Ensign Alexander Wilson
Adjutant Thomas McCann
