United Kingdom. A Waterloo Medal to Gunner James Westland, Royal Foot Artillery

A Waterloo Medal, in silver, full size, naming officially impressed on the rim JA. WESTLAND. GUNNER, ROYAL FOOT ARTILLERY., original steel clip with replacement steel ring, notable contact marks to the obverse, small edge bruises, in very fine condition.

Footnote: Gunner James Westland is located in the Waterloo Medal Roll in Captain Gordon’s Company of the Royal Foot Artillery. This Waterloo Medal was sold in the Glendinnings sale in January 1909, lot 264.

James Westland was born about 1788 in St. Cuthbert, Midlothien. He enlisted in 1809 at the age of 21 with the Royal Artillery Third Battalion. He was discharged in 1836 at the age of 48. Westland died in Woolwich in 1864. 

The Royal Foot Artillery played a crucial role at the Battle of Waterloo (18 June 1815), manning the heavy guns that supported the infantry along the ridge of Mont-Saint-Jean. Organized into batteries attached to infantry divisions, they fired round shot, case, and shrapnel to break up French assaults and counter battery fire throughout the day. Despite severe losses from enemy artillery and cavalry charges, the gunners of the Royal Foot Artillery maintained steady fire that helped repel repeated attacks and contributed decisively to the defeat of Napoleon’s army.