Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The Waterloo Medal was the first British ‘campaign’ medal, issued to all soldiers present at an action. It was also the first medal on which the recipient’s name was impressed around the edge. The tradition of campaign medals has continued to the present day.

There was great resentment from those soldiers who had fought in earlier campaigns, particularly those who had fought in the Peninsular War. They had received neither a medal nor the two-year pension enhancement given to Waterloo men. These veterans had to wait until 1848 and the issue of the Military General Service Medal (MGSM) for their service in earlier battles to be commemorated.

This is an incredible example of the ever-elusive Waterloo Medal, with the rim officially impressed, reading: CORPL. JAMES CLARK. 1ST BATTALION. 91ST. FOOT. Clark is listed in the roster online, but we can’t find much else on him considering his very common name. But the rim impression is entirely genuine, and this is the best example of a Waterloo medal we have ever offered. Not only does it retain its ring, but what we believe to be the original ribbon. These medals almost never show up, and when they do, it’s normally with a replaced ribbon.

At Toulouse, on 10 April 1814, Soult put up a last, desperate fight, which cost Wellington close on 5,000 casualties. Sir Denis Pack's Highland Brigade led the 6th Division attack brilliantly, ending up with the 42nd and 78th holding three captured enemy redoubts, and the 91st in close support in a farmyard behind. The crunch came when a French column, 6,000 strong, counter-attacked. The 42nd were driven back in some disorder, but the prompt support of the 91st gave them time to re-form; and the two battalions together then successfully restored the position.By the time the 91st got back to their farmhouse the other wing was in trouble; once more they sallied out, restored the position and incidentally rescued a large party of the 78th who had been surrounded and were in danger of being made prisoner. Every general present reckoned that only the prompt and vigorous support afforded by the Argyllshire Regiment had saved the Brigade at a very critical moment in the battle. So the war ended for the 91st in a blaze of glory, with nine battle honours on the Regimental Colour. But at Waterloo they were left far on the right flank; and though they got the campaign medal, that great battle was never inscribed on their Colours. One more fragment of military glory nevertheless came their way. The 2nd Battalion, raised purely as a feeder for the 1st, was a pretty motley crew.

This is the greatest example of a Waterloo Medal we have ever offered, ready for further research and display! There is still much to be found on Clark, so don’t miss this great opportunity!