Description
Hannover Waterloo Medal, Hussar Ferdinand Kaufman, Bremen and Verden Hussar Regiment. One of only 3 Hannover Hussar Regiments present.
Officially impressed: “Husar Ferdinand Kaufman, Hus. Rgt. Bremen et Verden”
Some general wear and contacting from years of proud wear.
The Hannoverian Army were fighting for their homeland in the Waterloo Campaign, having spent 10 years under French Occupation.
Since 1803, Napoleon had imposed the Convention of Artlenburg, sending 35,000 French Soldiers to occupy Hanover, as well as disbanding any local Regiments and “Landwehr” Militia.
This led most soldiers to travel to Britain to the join the King’s German Legion, it would also lead to the raising of Children in occupied territory, who would seek revenge about 10 years later at Waterloo.
In 1811, Bremen-Verden had been annexed by France, to become part of the First French Empire, and became the Capita of the Departement de “Bouches-du-Weser”.
In 1813, the French were defeated at the Battle of Leipzig and Withdrew, this allowed Bremen and Verden to return to German Control and they were finally restored to their ancient autonomy as republics of the “Deutscher Bund”.
In 1813, the Bremen and Verden Regiment of Hussars was formed, with them being freed, they were conscripted into service, to continue the fight:
“A notification had been published, addressed to the volunteers of the Duchies of Bremen and Verden, that they are to be enrolled as long as the war continues; that they must take the oath of allegiance to the King of Great Britain, as Elector of Brunswick Luneburgh; that they are to be subject to British Discipline and Military laws; and that their pay, clothing, & costs will be provided for by his British Majesty, his Majesty. it is added, will be requested to provide for the volunteers after the war.” Dated Stade, 30th April 1813.
The new recruits were then tasked with kicking out the French in the short “German War of Liberation”.
