United Kingdom. A Waterloo Medal to Lieutenant Christopher Busteed, 2nd Battalion, 69th Regiment of Foot, Wounded at Waterloo

A Waterloo Medal, in silver, full size, naming officially impressed on the rim LIEUT. CHRIST. BUSTEED, 2nd BATT. 69th REG. FOOT., original steel clip and large iron ring, replacement ribbon, minor contact marks, dark patina on the reverse, in extremely fine condition.

Footnote: Christopher Busteed was born in Cork, Ireland, about 1789. 

Lieutenant Christopher Busteed is present on the Waterloo Medal Roll in the 2nd Battalion, 69th Regiment of Foot. According to the Roll, he was wounded at Waterloo. 

Following Waterloo, Lieutenant Busteed served on a convict ship “Chapman” travelling from Cork to Australia, as the officer in charge of the soldiers on board. A mutinous voyage occurred, resulting in 12 convicts being killed and 30 being wounded. Busteed, as the military escort, was charged with murder on the high seas in December 1818, along with three other soldiers. Proceedings at the Old Bailey ensued, however, Busteed was found not guilty and was formally discharged on January 12, 1819. Lieutenant Busteed died about 1829, at the age of 37, in Mullingar. 

At the Battle of Waterloo, the 2nd Battalion, 69th Regiment of Foot served in Halkett’s Brigade of Wellington’s 3rd Division, positioned near the Brussels Road. Early in the battle, the battalion was surprised by a charge from French cavalry—likely Jacquinot’s lancers—while still deploying from column, leading to heavy casualties and the death of their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Morice. Despite the initial setback, the 69th regrouped and held their ground under intense fire for the remainder of the day. They suffered 229 casualties out of 568 men and played a key role in maintaining the integrity of the Allied center.

This Waterloo Medal was previously in the Whitaker Collection.