Hanoverian Waterloo Medal
The Hanoverian Waterloo Medal was issued to all members of the Hanoverian Army who served during the Waterloo campaign, between 16–18 June 1815.
History
[edit]The Hanoverian Waterloo Medal, like the British Waterloo Medal, has a profile and laureate head of the Prince Regent to the right, with the legend "GEORG. PRINZ. REGENT, 1815", around it.[1]
On the reverse are two branches of laurel and a breastplate, with two spears and two colours crossed on either side; underneath is the date, "WATERLOO JUN. XVIII.", and, above, in Roman letters, "HANNOVERSCHER TAPFERKEIT" (lit. 'Hanoverian Bravery'). The soldier's name and regiment are impressed on the rim.[2]
It is suspended by a crimson ribbon with light blue borders. The recipient was permitted to wear the ribbon without the medal, contrary to the rule which prevailed in Britain at the time.[3]
It was authorised by George, the Prince Regent in December 1817, and was awarded to every soldier in the Hanoverian Army who was present during the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo 16–18 June 1815,[a] and survived.[4] If the soldier left military service, he was still allowed to wear the medal. After the death of the recipient it was ordered that it should remain in his family as an heirloom.[3]
The Hanoverian troops, excluding those of the King's German Legion, present on the 16, 17 and 18 June at Battle of Quatre Bras and Waterloo, under the command of General Charles Alten, amounted to almost 16,900 men, equivalent to 18% of Wellington's Allied Army.[3]
Gallery
[edit]
The medal with ribbon
Front
Reverse
Rim
Ribbon
Recipients
[edit]See also
[edit]Five nations of Seventh Coalition struck medals for soldiers who took part in the campaign:[5]
- British Waterloo Medal (British Army and King's German Legion)
- Brunswick Waterloo Medal
- Hanoverian Waterloo Medal
- Nassau Waterloo Medal
- Prussian Waterloo Medal
Notes
[edit]- ↑ Royal Numismatic Society 1869, p. 112.
- ↑ Royal Numismatic Society 1869, pp. 112–113.
- 1 2 3 Royal Numismatic Society 1869, p. 113.
- ↑ Orders & Medals Research Society Journal 2026, p. 177-178.
- ↑ Royal Numismatic Society 1869, p. 109.
- Chichester 1893, p. 347.
References
[edit]- Chichester, Henry Manners (1893). . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 34. London: Smith, Elder & Co. p. 347.
- Orders & Medals Research Society Journal (2026). The Hanoverian Waterloo Medal and the Disgraced Regiment. Vol. 65. ISSN 1474-3353.
- Royal Numismatic Society (1869). "The Hanoverian Waterloo Medal". The Numismatic Chronicle. Vol. 9. Royal Numismatic Society (Great Britain).
