30th (Cambridgeshire) Foot

The 30th foot formed part of Halkett’s 5th British Brigade in Alten’s 3rd Infantry Division during The Hundred Days campaign. They were in the thick of the fighting on the ridge between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte during the closing stages of Waterloo where they took part in the action that repulsed the Imperial Guard. Total losses in the battle were 51 killed and 165 wounded.

BN/6 Private (kneeling)

BN/4 Private (firing)

BN/14 Ensign King's Colour Bearer holding colours & sword

BN/13 Ensign Regiment Colour

BN/1 Officer (charging)

BN/2 Sergeant (charging)

BN/12 Drummer (playing)

BN/8 Officer (standing)

 BN/6 Private (kneeling)

BN/4 Private (firing)

 BN/80 Guards Officer (charging)

I chose to represent them in miniature simply because I fancied a British unit in yellow facings but having recently read Tim Clayton’s book on Waterloo I have become impressed with their contribution to Wellington’s victory. I had of course heard of the crucial role Mailtand’s Guards played in throwing back Napoleon’s Guard but Halkett’s Brigade were positioned right next to them in the line directly in the path of the advancing grenadiers.

The Battalion in column (the Fifer is BN/11)

General Alton takes refuge in the Battalion square.

 The whole army will advance!

The unit is made up from a selection of different poses because I didn’t have enough of any one type for a unit all in the same pose. I also slipped in a rogue Guards officer just because I liked him. All the figures are vintage Hinton Hunt with the exception of the standing officer and drummer which are DK. The superb brushwork is by Lee.