Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Waterloo 1815 (William Chapman, 1st Reg. Dragoon Guards.) fitted with original steel clip and bar suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine £3000-3600

William Chapman (also Chaplain and Caplin) was born at Wyken, Leicestershire, in 1796, and enlisted at Leicester on 8 May 1812, aged 16. He was discharged at Manchester on 29 July 1817, in consequence of ‘a sabre wound of the head and back, and gun shot wound of left thigh, with the fore finger of the right hand disabled.’ His conduct is described as ‘Extremely good. That he served in the battle of Waterloo on the 18th June 1815. Was wounded with sabre on the fore finger of right hand & on head and back.’

William Chapman is listed variously as Chaplain and Chaplin, but accompanying research proves conclusively that Chapman is correct. Dwelly’s Waterloo Cavalry Roll lists him as ‘Chaplin (Chapman), Wm. e. 8 My ‘12, a. 16’; the Royal Mint Roll clearly lists him as William Chapman and would have named the medal thus. Sold with comprehensive research.