About the product

Waterloo 1815

Waterloo 1815, Edward Parfit, Drummer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Foot Guards, The Grenadier Guards. Officially impressed: “Edw Parfit. ****** 2nd Batt. Grenad. Guards.” Fitted with a silver clip & straight bar suspension. The…

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SKU: J5711 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
Very Fine

Description

Waterloo 1815, Edward Parfit, Drummer, 2nd Battalion, 1st Foot Guards, The Grenadier Guards.

 

Officially impressed: “Edw Parfit. ****** 2nd Batt. Grenad. Guards.”
Fitted with a silver clip & straight bar suspension.

 

The rank of Drummer has been long since erased from the medal, it was noticed years ago that many Waterloo Medals that appear for sale that are awarded to Drummers have the rank of ‘Drummer’ erased from the rim. It is believed that as Drummers had the misfortunate duty of carrying out the Regimental Floggings on behalf of the Officers, that they would not wish to be later identified as Drummers in risk of retribution. Regimental punishments were still very much in effect at the time and it is believed that even turning up for parade without the newly issued Waterloo Medal at the time would result in punishment.

 

Included is the OMRS Article by Major J.L.R. Samson, ‘Did Waterloo Drummers Scrub Their Medals?’ Autumn 1982.

 

Edward Parfit first enlisted in the 1st Foot Guards on 30th October 1810.

 

By the time of Waterloo he was serving as a Drummer and was engaged at the Battle in Lt Col Banlay’s Company.

 

During the battle the 2nd Battalion, 1st Foot Guards, who during that battle earned their title of “Grenadier Guards” fielded 976 men, of which 438 became casualties, 45% of their strength.

 

Provenance, sold by ‘Whitehouse’ during 1869 & Frankfurter Munzhandlung GMBH in June 1994.