Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare officer’s ‘Defence of La Haye Sainte’ Waterloo medal awarded to Ensign William Smith, 2nd Light Battalion, King’s German Legion

Waterloo 1815 (Ensign William Smith, 2nd Light Batt. K.G.L.) fitted with original steel clip and replacement ring suspension, toned, some obverse contact marks, otherwise very fine and rare £7,000-£9,000

William Smith, was born in 1796 and was commissioned Ensign into the 2nd Light Battalion King’s German Legion on 8 February 1814 at the age of 18 years. He took part in the Netherlands campaign of 1814, the campaign of 1815, the battle of Waterloo and subsequent campaign in France. Ensign William Smith is confirmed on Major Baring’s list of the 19 officers who actually defended the Farm of La Haye Sainte.

Low on ammunition and suffering severe casualties, the legendary defence of La Haye Sainte against overwhelming odds by green jacketed, rifle armed companies of the Light Battalions of the King's German Legion, was crowning point of this distinguished corps’ service. Although the defence of Hougoumont tends to gain the limelight, possession of La Haye Sainte was far more important due to its central position on the battlefield. Initially defended by six companies (378 men) of the 2nd Light Battalion, they were later joined by two companies of the 1st Light and one of the 5th Line and, later still, about 150 Nassau troops but due to mounting casualties they never totalled more than 550 men. These men held back 7,000 French, who assaulted the farmhouse with great determination and bravery for 5 hours.
Major Baring who commanded at La Haye Sainte, mentions the officers left inside the farm during the initial action when the companies holding the positions outside the farmhouse were engaged with French infantry. After being literally ridden over by French Cuirassiers and suffering many casualties, these companies were forced to retreat into the defences of the farm itself. Young Ensign Smith is not amongst those named and therefore must have been in one of those companies that were outside the farm and forced to retreat inside. After heroically defending the farm against repeated attacks and practically out of ammunition, Baring finally ordered a withdrawal of what remained of his command. Leading his men to cut through the assailants with the bayonet, a small number finally made it to the main British lines at Mont St Jean.

Out of the 378 men from the 2nd Light Battalion who started the action, only 42 remained after to be mustered! This figure was later adjusted after men thought missing, retuned to the Battalion. However, the revised numbers still give a 47% casualty rate, one of the highest figures throughout the Army. Of the 19 K.G.L. Officers of the 2nd Light Battalions present, 3 were killed, 4 were seriously wounded, 3 wounded and 2 taken prisoner. Ensign Smith would have been one of the few officers left standing at the end of the battle and one of the few to see the battle from beginning to end.

William Smith was discharged when the King’s German Legion was disbanded in 1816 and was retired on half-pay, giving his place of residence address as Westmorland & London. He tried to get re-instated in the British army, but was unsuccessful. In his 1829 Officers Service Summary, Smith states “After repeated efforts to be placed on full pay, in despair I entered on another occupation which I trust circumstances will permit me to follow for the remainder of life. I have now no wish to be placed on full pay – but in the case of war my services can be as they have been, at the disposal of my King & country.”

Finally, on 20 November 1829, he surrendered his-half pay pension in favour of receiving a commuted allowance for his commission.

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