The Waterloo Medal awarded to Lieutenant J. Robinson, 32nd (Cornwall) Regiment of Foot, a veteran of the Peninsular Campaign and the only member of the Regiment to secure an invitation to the famous Duchess of Richmond's Ball on the night of 15th June 1815
Waterloo 1815 officially named to: Lieut. James Robinson, 32nd Regiment Foot. Steel clip reaffixed, edge knocks, good fine.
James Robinson is confirmed upon the medal roll as a Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion 32nd (Cornwall) Regiment of Foot during the Waterloo Campaign. Born in 1792 and commissioned Ensign in 1807, he had previously served during the Peninsular War and lived to claim a 6-clasp Military General Service Medal, for Salamanca, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse. This Medal is known to be extant, having appeared for sale several times in the London auction rooms since 1918.
Interestingly, Robinson was the only officer of the 32nd Regiment to receive an invitation to the Duchess of Richmond's Ball. Held in a Brussels coach-maker's workshop on the night of 15 June 1815, it has famously gone down in history for its subsequent (and perhaps rather romanticised) depictions in later paintings and stories, and being grandly portrayed on screen in the major motion picture Waterloo (1970). Whilst reality was somewhat different, nevertheless a large number of extremely important and well-connected individuals attended (not least the Duke of Wellington and the Prince of Orange). It must still have been a glittering occasion, certainly the event of the 'Season', but one which would probably not have been nearly as well remembered today had it not been dramatically interrupted by Napoleon's advance into Belgium.
All three extant invitation lists (the 'Goodwood List'; 'De Ros List'; and 'Delhaize List' respectively) confirm Robinson was both invited and attended, though they do not elaborate as to why he was chosen - he does not appear to have been well-connected, from a notable family, nor the only officer in the 32nd able to attend. He was not a Staff Officer (being specifically noted on the lists as on 'Regimental Duty') and therefore was not there by association with a more important individual. Whilst it may therefore never be known why he was chosen he must surely have witnessed the dramatic moment when, upon the news of the French invasion of the country, the dancing stopped mid-bar and all officers were instructed to return to their units. The 23-year-old Robinson was amongst their number and his Regiment had a long few days ahead.
As part of the 8th British Brigade in Sir Thomas Picton's 5th Infantry Division, the battalion saw heavy fighting at both Quatre Bras and Waterloo - on 18 June they were positioned in the very centre of Wellington's allied line. At the conclusion of the latter battle, of the 36 officers who commenced the campaign only 12 remained standing - Robinson was not one of their number, having been wounded at some stage that day.
He later served as Paymaster (with the rank of Captain) in the Cavan Light Infantry, a Militia regiment raised and based in County Cavan, Ireland. Still serving as late as 1856, he is noted as assisting to officiate during the disembodiment of the unit on 28 August that year (http://www.irelandoldnews.com/Cavan/1856/AUG.html, refers).
Sold together with a small file of copied research.
Product Code: EM4297
