Waterloo,
William Pateman, 1st Regiment Foot Guards ,
Hougoumont defender where he was wounded, original clip and later ring suspension, lovely condition
Served Packs Light Company under the command of Captain & Lt. Colonel Milne , killed during the breach of the North Gate
During the first breach of the Northgate, the two Light Companies of Gren. Gds were along the sunken lane to the rear of the farm. Saltoun to the east with Milne to the west – Milne then intervened and was mortally wounded, Capt. Luttrell wounded…, with Captain Brown already killed command devolved on 16-year-old Ensign Greville took over command of Milne’s support platoon, while the assault platoon eliminated the 40-odd Frenchmen.
From Men of the 1st foot Guards
William Pateman, Born Cambridge, Aldreth. enl Lifford 1813 aged 21, Volunteer from the Cambridge Militia, Waterloo wounded, served Lt/Col. Milnes’ Light Company, Peronne shot through the left shoulder, ball remains, hospital 28th June – 21st August 1815. Agricultural labourer died Meldruth, Cambridge 1860.’
Following their victory at Waterloo on 18 June 1815, the Grenadier Guards continued the pursuit of Napoleon’s army into France, with segments of the regiment involved in specific operations near Peronne around 26 June 1815. Wellington’s army reached the vicinity of Peronne, a fortified town on the Somme, during their march toward Paris.
According to the personal account of John Leworthy, a British Grenadier, in this article from The Age of Revolution, the regiment was tasked with specific actions after the battle, moving toward the town of Peronne
Sept. 6th 1815
Honoured father,
…………….After the action was over we followed up our career of glory in pursuit of the enemy, taking from them 234 pieces of cannon and leaving 50,000 dead in the field. Our Regiment alone being selected for a particular service, marched by cross country roads to a considerable town in France called Perrone, the Duke of Wellington being with us in person. Our brave fellows, headed by that excellent officer, General Maitland, like lions more than men, entered it and took it at the point of the bayonet. After this we did not relax in our labours. The next day we commenced our march in pursuit of the enemy till we arrived within four miles of the City of Paris. A cessation of hostilities taking place, put us in possession of all the enemy’s works we ultimately entered Paris.





