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The British Government awarded the Waterloo Medal to all
soldiers present at the battles of Ligny, Quatre Bras and
Waterloo, 16-18 June 1815. It was the first campaign medal
issued to all ranks, and to the next-of-kin of all those killed
in action. The medal was also the first on which the recipient's
name, rank and unit was impressed around the edge by machine.
The obverse of the medal bears the head of the Prince Regent
looking left wearing a laurel wreath and the legend 'GEORGE
P./REGENT'. The reverse has the winged figure of Victory seated
facing left with the word 'WELLINGTON' above, 'WATERLOO' at
the base of her seat and the date 'JUNE 18 1815' below. The
medal is suspended from the ribbon by a large steel ring that
passes through a clip on top of the medal. The ribbon is crimson,
with blue edges.
The medals on display here comprise part of the Gager collection
of Waterloo campaign medals in the Liddell Hart Centre for
Military Archives at King's College, generously deposited
there by Mr Stewart Gager in 2003.
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