Description
Superb MGSM Waterloo medal pair to 71st Regiment of Foot
This is the superb medal pair of young Glaswegian born, John Cooper who in his 10 years in the line fought in 3 decisive battles with the 71st Foot, all by the time he was 21 years old.
Medals – Military General Service Medal with clasps, Vittoria and Toulouse (JOHN COOPER 71st FOOT) and Waterloo Medal (JOHN COOPER 1st BATT. 71st FOOT.) officially impressed pair
The 71st Regiment of Foot fought all the way through the Peninsular War and were at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 as part of the 3rd Brigade in Maj. General Sir Henry Clinton’s 2nd Division.
Battle of Vittoria fought on the 21st June 1813 – The 71st suffered heavy casualties in this battle. Overall, the British lost 501 killed and 2807 with our allies suffering 239 killed and 1304 wounded. The heavy losses were dwarfed by the French losses of 8000 killed and wounded. Following this decisive victory which included the taking of an enormous quantity of “treasure” and military arms, there was a Vote of Thanks by both Houses of Parliament to the troops and Lord Wellington was promoted to Field Marshall. Private John Cooper would have been 19 years old at this battle.
Battle of Toulouse fought on the 10th April 1814 – The final battle of the Peninsular War. A decisive battle fought with the enemy retiring that night leaving a large number of prisoners. At this point in history, in the north, Paris fell to European allies, Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to the island of Elba.
Battle of Waterloo fought on the 18th June 1815 – The 1st/71st lost 16 officers and 171 men killed and wounded at Waterloo. John Cooper served in the famous Captain Henderson’s Troop.
Attached to Adam’s Light Brigade (along with the 1/52nd & 2/95th), the 1st Battalion of the 71st Foot endured intense French artillery fire, before repulsing several cavalry charges. It was during one of these French cavalry attacks, the Duke of Wellington famously had to seek protection from within the 71st’s square. Supported by the 52nd & 95th, the 71st charged the French Imperial Guard towards evening, forcing them to retreat. During this charge, members of the 71st captured a French artillery battery, and turned one of the guns on the retreating Imperial Guard. This is thought to have been the last shot of the battle, and is the subject of a contemporary painting; ‘The Last Gun at Waterloo.’
Before he was 21 years old John Cooper had fought, serving with one of the hardest fighting Regiments, in 3 decisive battles ending the Napoleonic era.
John Cooper was born in 1795 at Barony, Glasgow. Prior to enlisting he had been employed as a weaver. Signing up for life, he enlisted into the 71st Foot (Highland Light Infantry) at Glasgow on 4th January 1811 aged 16. He served 10 years & 237 days, this being increased to 12 years 237 days after the grant of 2 additional years’ service added in recognition of being a Waterloo participant.
He was finally discharged aged about 27 on 18th August 1821
Medals – Military General Service Medal with clasps, Vittoria and Toulouse (JOHN COOPER 71st FOOT) and Waterloo Medal (JOHN COOPER 1st BATT. 71st FOOT.) officially impressed pair. Slight contact damage to naming.
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