A scarce Guelphic Medal awarded to Corporal Charles Heine, 1st Troop, King’s German Artillery, for gallantry at Waterloo

Guelphic Medal for Bravery 1815 (Carl. [Hei]ne, Oberfeuerwerker, 1...[B]atterie) contact marks, otherwise good fine £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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An Important Collection of Medals to The King's German Legion, Dix Noonan Webb, April 2003.

Corporal Charles Heine, 1 Troop, King’s German Artillery, was awarded the Guelphic Medal in the 1820 List:
‘At Waterloo, before coming into action, this Battery remained for a long time in the second line, and thereby suffered many losses through enemy artillery fire. When at last they advanced up to the first line, from which some batteries were going back through lack of ammunition, they came under a murderous fire from artillery and sharpshooters, but on their side they contributed substantially, so that the last powerful attack by the French was thrown back.
Bombardiers Heine and Niemeyer were very soon the only gun detachment commanders remaining fit for action; they attended to the proper laying of several guns with commendable zeal, hurrying from one gun to another. Likewise the personnel of the Battery were concentrated; on Niemeyer’s gun five gunners were dead or wounded.
At a critical moment, when enemy columns nearby threatened a fresh attack, lack of ammunition, especially of case-shot, became a worry. Heine with two gunners quickly went to search a number of abandoned and shot-up limbers and wagons under heavy fire. Fortunately his voluntary search was attended by great success; he found the required ammunition, brought it up and it was used against an immediately following attack by the French Guards.’ (Ref Von Wissel, p146, in translation from the German).

Charles Heine enlisted on 18 February 1809 and served in Northern Germany from 1813 to 1814. He was promoted Corporal shortly after the battle of Waterloo, on 1 August 1815. On the disbandment of the Legion he transferred to the 1st Troop, Hannoverian Horse Artillery, and was pensioned on 31 July 1827. He was still living in 1856 but did not claim a Military General Service Medal.

Sold with original notes by Colonel D. D. Vigors, R.A.