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.
The
Mayoress of Windsor and members of the Council visit the
Sergeants' Mess
(and
below, the
unveiling of the Limited Edition Hougoumont
Farm Images)
Friday 11th July 2008
Way back last year when the Battalion were in Windsor
there were talks about if the Regiment could march
through Windsor on their return from Afghanistan. In
November
 it
was announced to the public that a parade through
Windsor would take place to welcome home the town’s
soldiers.
Things like this don’t just happen and it was backed
right from the start by leading figures in the town,
including council leader David Burbage and Mayor Cllr
Leo Walters.
The event, as we all know, was a glorious success and
others have now set this as precedence to welcome home
their town’s soldiers, and the parade in Windsor was one
of the most publicised in the UK.
On Friday 11th July 2008, the Sergeants’ Mess invited
the Mayoress and members of the council to publicly say
thank you and present them with an embroidered Capstar.
Before this was done however, the ‘Sarnt Major presented
Sgt Smith (Catering Corps) with an embroidered Capstar
as he was now posted away from the Battalion.
The Regimental Sergeant Major said a few words before
the presentation, and remarked on how much the parade
had meant all of those on it. Some of the men on the
parade did not return from Afghanistan until a few hours
before the parade, and although most would think that it
would be the last thing on a soldiers mind – all agreed
that it was probably the most humbling and emotional day
in their career or life!
After the presentation, the Mayoress then spoke a few
kind words thanking the Battalion and presented the
Sergeant's Mess with a montage of images taken from the
Welcome Home Parade. The ‘Sarnt Major
spoke of the two easels that were behind him covered
with draped cloths.....
He explained that they were indeed limited edition
images of Hougomont Farm (only 450 have been signed), but these
prints were unlike any others done before. The images
below will explain but they are two images of the same
scene, but with a different prospective in each image.
In one image you can see the French coming as you stand
on the wall of Hougomont, and in the other you are with
the French looking towards the wall. What makes these
images unique is that they are a snapshot of the same
scene, with the same soldiers in each picture. They are
truly magnificent images from no doubt the finest
military artist in the world (our opinion) Chris
Collingwood.
You can purchase and view more info on these prints
here.
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READ MORE ABOUT THESE
IMAGES HERE .....
These
images explained (info taken from the
site above ) in greater detail below:
Struggle for
Hougoumont by Chris Collingwood.
Two new paintings depicting the struggle of the French
and British forces over Hougoumont Farm, a key point in
the battle of Waterloo. One painting depicts the attack
of the French Grenadier Company belonging to the 1st
Battalion of the 2nd Line Regiment from Prince Jeromes
Divisions at the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June 1815. The
other depicts detachments of the British 2nd
(Coldstream) and 3rd Foot Guards Regiments opening fire
from Hougoumonts solid brick garden wall at the Battle
of Waterloo, 18th June 1815.
The
English Side:
On the 18th June 1815, at approximately 11.30am, Prince
Jeromes 6,500 strong division of French infantry was
ordered to attack the chateau of Hougoumont as a prelude
to Napoleons main assault, which was targeted at
Wellingtons centre. These buildings anchored the right
wing of Wellingtons army at Waterloo. The loss of this
strategic position would have rendered Wellingtons
defensive line untenable. Wellington understood this
and, later in the battle, ordered it to be defended to
the last man. As the French initial assault drove back
the German defenders through The Great Wood, they
emerged to face not only the buildings, but the 300 yard
long 7 foot high wall of the chateau gardens, defended
by detachments from Cookes British Guards division.
The scenario at Hougoumont.
Charge after charge failed to dislodge the Guardsmen as
they poured a continuous withering fire into their
opponents from loopholes in the brickwork and hastily
constructed platforms. Furious at having been repulsed
and not content with the diversionary role allotted to
him, Jerome immediately threw his entire division back
to the assault and called on Foys division nearby for
support, hoping to smash down Hougoumonts bricks and
mortar by sheer weight of numbers. It is precisely this
moment of the battle which is the subject of the two
paintings.
The British Guards - numbered as shown on the painting
layout. The French
Infantry - numbered as shown on the painting layout.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
French Side:
French casualties mounted in the area in front of the
wall now known as The Killing Grounds. Throughout the
day, Napoleon committed more and more of his reserves,
until finally upwards of 15,000 French troops were
embroiled in and around the maelstrom of Hougoumont,
which had become a battle within a battle. Indeed, when
one of the final French assaults was beaten back,
Wellington was heard to say, almost to himself; I
believe we shall beat them after all!
The moment of the battle captured in the paintings.
Hougoumont never fell to French assault, although at
times the final outcome was in some doubt. It stands
today in a very sorry state of disrepair, its walls
having suffered from both the ravages of time and
blatant neglect. However, by managing to capture the
fury of the moment in his two masterpieces, Struggle for
Hougoumont, Chris Collingwood has done justice to those
who fought and died among its timeless ruins.
The British Guards - numbered as shown on the painting
layout. The French
Infantry - numbered as shown on the painting layout.
You can purchase and view more information on these
prints here.
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