A Waterloo Medal for sale to Private Edward Gardiner, the 2 /73^rd Regiment of Foot. The Waterloo Medal with its original steel clip and ring suspension, plus an older ribbon.

Condition report: The Waterloo Medal is offered for sale in excellent overall condition, and with good detail remaining. The rim with clear naming throughout. The medal with a pleasant darkened patina.

The regiment at the Battle of Waterloo: Having marched from Soignes on 16^th June 1815, the 2/73^rd were thrust into into heavy fighting at Quatre Bras, where they lost 53 men. On the 18^th June, the 2/73^rd were positioned behind Hougoumont, where they spent most of the day, both under heavy French artillery fire, and under continued fighting against French cavalry. Later in the day, the 2/73^rd helped repulse Napoleon’s Imperial Guard.  At the  Battle of Waterloo, the 2/73^rd suffered over 60% casualties, the second highest casualty rate of the battle.

Edward Gardiner: A weaver by trade, Gardiner enlisted to the 73^rd on 6^th July 1811. He fought with his regiment throughout the Battle of Waterloo, and is noted as being wounded.

Although his regiment stayed in Belgium, taking part in the march into Paris, Gardiner was still recovering from his wounds. On the 6^th July 1815, he was shipped back to hospital in England. Once recovered, Gardiner remained in the army (many soldiers were being discharged at this time, due to the end of the Napoleonic wars), first returning to the 2/73^rd, and then on 4^th May 1817 transferring to the 1/73^rd.

On the 25^th May 1821, Gardiner transferred to the 83^rd Regiment of Foot, On the 23^rd October, he was finally discharged in consequence of the amputation of his right leg (possibly connected with his wounds received at Waterloo). His discharge papers state his overall conduct as ‘Good.’

 Provenance: The Armoury 1983, Spinks 1994.