Watch List notes:

An Attractive and Very Scarce Waterloo and Regimental Medal for 'Courage, Loyalty and Good Conduct' over 10 years awarded to Corporal John Taylor, 1st Battalion, 71st (Highland Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot, comprising: Waterloo, 1815, with replacement steel clip and ring suspension (Corp. John Taylor 1st Batt. 71st Reg. Foot.); 71st Foot Regimental Medal, in silver, c.1815-20, 48mm width, with silver straight bar suspension and clip, with old segment of tartan ribbon, crowned regimental number at centre, hand engraved, with legend surrounding 'For Courage, Loyalty and Good Conduct, 10 Years' Service', rev., combined rose, thistle and shamrock devices, scrolled legend above, 'Tria Juncta in Uno' (cf. Balmer R446a), pair loose, the first with minor obverse edge bruise at 3 o'clock, light surface marks to both, otherwise good very fine, and a rare regimental medal (2). Corporal John Taylor fought at the Battle of Waterloo in Captain James Henderson's Company, 71st Foot, the regiment placed in the 3rd (Light) Brigade of Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton's 2nd Division. The 71st Foot, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Reynell, were initially held in a reserve position on the right flank to the rear of Hougoumont (owing to their recent arrival after a 2-day march) but were later brought forward into the line to support crucial central position between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte. The anonymous author of 'The Journal of a Highland Soldier, of the 71st or Glasgow Regiment, Highland L.I.' described the scene: "The artillery had been tearing away, since day-break, in different parts of the line. About twelve o'clock we received orders to fall in, for attack...General Barnes gave the word, 'Form Square'. In a moment the whole brigade were on their feet to receive the enemy. The General said 'Seventy-first, I have often heard of your bravery, I hope it will not be worse, than it has been, to-day.' Down they came upon our square. We soon put them to right...The noise and smoke were dreadful...all around the wounded and slain lay very thick. We then moved on, in column, for a considerable way, and formed line; gave three cheers, fired a few volleys, charged the enemy, and drove them back." Napoleon subjected this strategic area to repeated cavalry attacks led by Marshall Ney in addition to heavy artillery fire, but the line held. The 71st also played a part in the repulse of the Imperial Guard, and reputedly fired the last shot of battle with an artillery piece they had just captured, turning it to fire onto the fleeing French forces. In total, the 1st/71st suffered the loss of 16 officers and 171 men killed and wounded at Waterloo. Ex Needes Collection, 1908 and Baldwin, Military Sale 1, June 2013.