County Hero Killed at Waterloo

from Worcestershire Now - JUNE 2022

What’s On

One of the most famous battles in history is the Battle of Waterloo, fought in 1815 between the French Army under Napoleon and the Anglo-Allied forces under the command of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington.

The 29th Regiment of Foote, that later became the Worcestershire Regiment had fought heroically for Wellington throughout the Napoleonic War leading to the Duke saying ‘we must find recruits for the 29th Regiment, one of the best regiments in the British Army.’

In the summer of 1815, as regiments were being drawn together to take on Napoleon again, the 29th Regiment was on the far side of the Atlantic in America! It was called back to Europe but arrived late on the 18th June to find Wellington’s forces had won the day.

However Henry Walton Ellis was one of several officers and men who fought in the Battle in various regiments. Henry is remembered in Worcester Cathedral with a beautifully carved plaque. He is also remembered in Belgium near to the site of the fighting.

Henry was born on the 29th November 1782 and was the son of Lt Col John Joyner Ellis. His Father had been MP for Worcester and was also a career soldier. The Christening took place at St Nicholas Church in the City almost a year after his birth on the 6th October 1783. The church is now a pub called the Slug and Lettice.

His Military Career began when he was just weeks old, when his father purchased a Commission for him, in the Regiment he was serving in at the time - The 89th Regiment of Foot. In the 18th and 19th Century Commissions in the British Army could be purchased by Gentlemen and their Fathers who wanted to set their sons on a career for life. The higher the rank and the more important the regiment, the more money you had to part with!

Unfortunately his military career almost came to an end just days after, when the 89th Regiment of foot was disbanded. He was then put onto half pay until a transfer could

be arranged by his father and the government body at Whitehall in London.

In 1789 Henry Ellis was transferred into the 41st Regiment of Foote, bringing him back to full military pay. When he was 9 he then began to move through the ranks starting with Lieutenant and transferring to the 23rd Regiment of Foot (The Royal Welsh Fusiliers) in September 1795.

The British Army, at the time, was involved in fighting the French in Europe. He was wounded at least 8 times, including during the famous engagements in the Peninsular War - Albuera and Badajoz.

Henry Ellis was eventually made Colonel on the 14th June 1814, became a Knight Commander of the Order of Bath and even given the honour of being made Freeman of the City of Worcester in December of the same year. He was presented with a Silver Vase whilst the Mayor said the gift was in respect of his “meritorious services, so repeatedly displayed in the defence of his Country.” Waterloo. His Regiment described his great heroism in the Battle, fought on the 18th June. He was amongst his men in one of the famous British Squares when he was shot in the chest!

“Feeling himself faint from loss of blood, he calmly desired an opening be made in the square and rode to the rear. At a short distance from the field he was thrown from his horse whilst in the act of leaping a ditch; here he was found soon afterwards, much exhausted and conveyed to a nearby outhouse where his wound was dressed. In the course of the night of 19th June the hovel in which he was lodged unfortunately caught fire and he was with difficulty rescued from the flames by Assistant Surgeon Munroe of the RWF, but was exhausted by so many shocks and on 20 June expired.”

Two French writers in 1869 confirmed “Sir Henry Ellis was buried in the cemetery next to the church of Waterloo” but sadly his whereabouts today are not known. When Discover History delivered a Battlefield Tour of Waterloo in 2015, we visited his monument now located in the courtyard of the Wellington Museum in Waterloo and also the plaque to him in the church.

We would recommend visiting the battlefield or finding the magnificent Memorial Plaque in Worcester Cathedral near the West Door. The carving shows the moment he was shot on that fateful day. n By Paul Harding, Discover History Facebook and YouTube - Discover History Instagram and Twitter -DiscoverHISTPH www.discover-history.co.uk

Discover History is an award winning education and Living History Performance Company based in Worcester. They specialise in the local history of Worcestershire and deliver school workshops and history days, living history performances and talks across Britain.