MUSEUMS

In response to an earlier request for details of museums holding items of Napoleonic interest, Stephen Petty has sent me the following information about the Royal Welsh Fusiliers:

Review of: THE REGIMENTAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS (23rd FOOT)

Queen's Tower, Caernarvon Castle

The museum is located in the splendid confines of Caernarfon Castle (admission £ 2 adults). The Regimental Museum is free of charge. A short guide to the museum can be obtained for 10p. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers (23rd Foot) served with distinction throughout the Napoleonic Wars, and this review will describe only those items of interest relevant to that period. The selection is mine, but there are so many fine exhibits on show that I can only give a sample in a short review. The 23rd gained the battle honours CORUNNA, ALBUHERA, BADAJOZ, SALAMANCA, VITTORIA, PYRENEES, NIVELLE, ORTHES, TOULOUSE, PENINSULA, WATERLOO. Of these honours that of Corunna was gained by the 2nd Battalion, the remainder by the Ist Battalion who formed part of the Fusilier brigade of the 4th Division from 1810 until late 1813.

The collection of Waterloo medals and Military General Service Medals can only be described as outstanding. There are 29 of the former and 27 of the latter, that can be viewed. To read the clasps on the ribbons of the M.G.S.M. gives a sense of wonder at the distinguished records of the men who served under the 23rd's colours. For example, Private Matthew White 9 clasps for Martinique, Albuhera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthes, Toulouse.

Private Thomas Shearman 7 clasps; Albuhera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Toulouse (I note from the Medal Rolls of the 23rd that his claim for St. Sebastian was disallowed because he was not a member of the storming party).

Capt. R.G. Hare-Clareges - M.G.S.M. 9 clasps; Egypt, Corunna, Busacco, Barossa, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Pyrenees, St. Sebastian; also received the Army Gold Medal with bars Nivelle, Nive.

The museum possesses a splendid diorama of the storming of Badajoz 1812. The diorama gives at a glance the scene at the breach stormed by the 4th Division. The descriptive plaque omits mention of the Portugese brigade of the Division who also returned casualties at the storming of Badajoz (the British Regiments of the 4th Division returned a total 829 losses. The Army total 4,670). The figures in the diorama are of 25-30mm scale, largely in parade uniforms, however this does not detract from the overall impression of the scene at the breach.

The Peninsula-Waterloo display case contains much of interest for Napoleonic enthusiasts. I particularly took note of a watch inscribed GJ.C. 23rd Regt. who fell at Badajoz 6th April 1812. The officer's belt and sash worn by Capt. Wynn wounded at Orthez 1814 is worthy of attention.

Uniform details can be gained by examining the buttons, shako, bearskin plate, chinscales, hackle plume and various prints depicting uniforms of 1800, 1807 and 1815. A noteworthy exhibit is the Crossbelt plate of the Cader ldris Volunteers.

The Keys of Corunna and the story of the 2/23rd at Corunna are also depicted. The Keys bear the scars made by a bayonet used to help in turning the lock on the city gates.

To return to medals, the M.G.S.M. awarded to Private J. Jones holds I I clasps. Unique and distinctive regimental merit medals are also to be found. Also to be examined are the medals of Brevet Lt. Col. J.H.E. Hill (1778- 1838) including the Peninsula Field Officer's Gold Medal (clasps; St. Sebastian, Nivelle), Peninsula Gold Cross 4th Portugese Regt. Waterloo Medal, C.B. for services at Waterloo.

The 1812 Belgic Shako with distinctive plate bearing the honours Minden, (Sphinz) Egypt. Royal Monogram and Regimental numbers in Roman numerals, has the silver cords of an officer. This is a superb exhibit well worth the visit.

The miniatures of Lt. Booker 1812 and Col. Sir W. Ellis K.C.B. are fine examples of this art. A lock of Ellis's hair and his sword are nearby. Col. Ellis commanded the 23rd at Waterloo, died of wounds 20thJune 1815.

Of special interest is a gift presented to Col. Browne to mark his distinguished service at Roncevalles.

A display of early regimental items will still hold the attention of Napoleonic buffs; An officer's sword of 1795, 2 patterns of gorgets (pre 1798, post 1798 differentiated by a royal cypher and regimental crest respectively). The officer's coat is in first class condition (minus the detachable epaulets). This is worth looking at closely; the silver lace shows a distinct regimental pattern, the dark blue facings, 11 rows of buttons and lace, white turnbacks all should satisfy uniform researchers. I also liked the Other Ranks Belt Buckle - found in Spain.

Much of interest can be found around the walls of the museum. Paintings of Waterloo, Toulouse, Pyrenees, Orthez and Badajoz. A lithograph, "landing of troops in Egypt" is worth close examination. A huge painting of Lt. Col. W. Edgell Wyatt commander 2/23rd R.W.F. Corunna 1809, dominates the room. Note also the sergeants halberd and the half pike/halberd 1815. This museum holds so much of value for those interested in researching the Napoleonic era.

The museum, being located in a medieval castle tower, contains many flights of steps and the lighting is just adequate. The staff during my visit were very occupied manning the souvenir stall and the entrance, and not over helpful to visitors. I am sure that during quieter spells (not mid tourist season) they might be more able to assist visitors with answers to questions and enquiries.

My purchase of Holme and Kirby Medal Rolls 23rd. R.W.F. Napoleonic Period, price ;E12.50, compensated for the lack of assistance of the museum attendants. An expensive volume but a highly interesting piece of research for those interested in regimental minutae.

The museum is well worth visiting but allow an hour or so to see it in entirety. The castle offers enough to occupy the rest of the family.

N. Hohne & Maj. E. Kirby Medal Polls 23rd Foot Royal Welsh Fusiliers Napoleonic Period

Regimental Museum. R.W.F. Caernarfon Castle & Spink & Son London 1978 price £ 12.50 (limited no. of copies) 206 pages.

The authors of this book have made use of extensive reference and source material, in particular, use was made of various Medal Polls and first hand documents belonging to the R.W.F. The book is highly detailed and as accurate a record as possible. Considered reading of the authors' notes highlights the problems faced when examining source material relating to the records and services of a Regiment during the Napoleonic Wars.

The authors can be praised for the detailed analysis and compilation of the medal rolls, charts, explanatory notes and lists contained within. Much painstaking research went in to the drawing up of the biographical details for the recipients of the Waterloo Medals and the Military General Service Medals (M.G.S.M. 1793 1814). Given this fact the price is reasonable, especially as copies are limited.

At first the layout of the book appears dull, but do not be deceived. The sections (9 in all) are arranged sequentially and allow cross- referencing. I particularly enjoyed the comprehensive breakdown of the Waterloo Roll especially when combined with the biographical data. It is possible to obtain a fascinating depth of detail on the lives of the officers and men e.g. Cpl. William Glover of the Grenadier Company fought at Waterloo. He took the King's shilling in 1813 as a 20 year old. He came from West Derby, Lancs. and worked as a rope maker in civilian life.

Private Thomas Barnes enlisted in the 23rd Foot in 1805 aged 23. He was awarded the M.G.S.M. with clasps Albuera, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Orthes, Toulouse. Served in the Light Company at Waterloo. The Light Company at Waterloo consisted of 3 officers, 6 NCO's, 2 musicians and 57 rank and file (68 all ranks). It's losses during the action 1 officer killed, 1 NCO and 6 rank and file wounded. For those interested in the myriad of facts it is possible to locate in the book details of the Officers, e.g.

Pte. T. Barnes' company commander at Waterloo was Lt. G. Fensham. Lt. G. Fensharn fell at Waterloo. He obtained his commission as 2/Lt. in the 1/23rd in 1808, gazetted Lt. in 1810. He served in the Peninsula.

Surgeon S.C. Roe served throughout the Peninsula. He was Asst. Surgeon of the 2/23rd at Corunna. Became Surgeon on the Headquarters Staff of the 1/23rd between 1809- 1814. He obtained a remarkable 10 clasps on his M.G.S.M.

All in all, the book is crammed full of useful facts and the authors deserve credit for the care taken in assembling the wealth of information. For students wishing to examine the life of a regiment especially one with such pride and esprit de corps, this book is recommended.

It contains a few faults but these are very minor and do not detract from the overall high standard of research. If you have £ 12.50 to spare on visiting Caernarfon Castle the book makes for a luxurious souvenir. It would be wonderful if the R.W.F. produced a companion volume detailing the campaigns and including prints from their superb collection.

Postscript

The account of Waterloo on p.9. Maj. R.P. Holmes' letter is from Siborne's "Waterloo Letters."

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Museums: Review of 23rd Foot Regt Museum
Monuments and Holidays
Books
Napoleon's Body Odor
1992 Meetings