United Kingdom. A Waterloo Medal to Private Thomas Pendlebury, 2nd Life Guards

In silver, full size, naming officially impressed on the rim THOMAS PENDLEBURY. 2nd REG. LIFE GUARDS., demonstrating contact marks to the obverse and notable edge bruises, original steel clip and iron ring, replacement ribbon, lovely patina, in very fine condition. 

Footnote: The Waterloo Medal was instituted on March 10, 1816 and was awarded to all who participated in the Battle of Waterloo, also Ligny and Quatre Bras. Private Thomas Pendlebury of the 2nd Life Guards is present on the Waterloo Medal Roll. On Sunday, June 18, 1815, the 2nd Life Guards suffered a total of 155 casualties (of a strength of 231 officers, rank and file). 

The 2nd Life Guards was formed in 1788, and served as a cavalry regiment in the British Army. The regiment fought in the Peninsular War under the command of Major-General Charles Barton, and at Waterloo. At the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815, the 2nd Life Guards played a crucial role as part of the British Household Cavalry within Lord Edward Somerset’s Household Brigade. Their most notable action occurred during the early afternoon, when they participated in a large and dramatic cavalry charge against the advancing French I Corps under General D’Erlon. Alongside the 1st Life Guards, the Royal Horse Guards (the Blues), and the 1st Dragoons (Scots Greys), the 2nd Life Guards charged into densely packed French infantry columns. This charge was highly effective, breaking up the French attack and helping to stabilize the Allied center at a critical moment in the battle.

However, the success of the charge came at a cost. Like much of the British cavalry that day, the 2nd Life Guards pursued the fleeing French too far, losing cohesion and becoming vulnerable. In the chaos that followed, they were counterattacked by French cavalry and subjected to artillery fire, suffering significant casualties. Despite these losses, the surviving members of the regiment regrouped and remained on the field, supporting the Allied lines during the final and decisive phase of the battle. Their actions, though costly, contributed meaningfully to the overall victory at Waterloo.