By John D Ellis
The regiment was raised by the Marquess of Drogheda in 1759. In 1763 it was renumbered and re-titled as the 18th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. It was to retain an Irish identity throughout its existence, with many officers and men coming from Ireland, including Arthur Wellesley, later the Duke of Wellington, who served in the regiment between 1792 and 1793. The regiment served in the Caribbean between 1797 and 1799. In 1799 they returned to England and were stationed on the south coast. Later that year elements of the regiment were in Holland, at the Battle of Bergen.(1)
The first Black soldier known to have served in the 18th, Charles Brown from Charleston, USA, enlisted in 1799. There is no evidence that any of the Black soldiers were purchased as slaves by the regiment or its officers. Instead, recruits were sought from the Black population resident in England and Ireland. The 18th was a fashionable regiment, therefore having Black military musicians would have been normal, although by the early 1800s most regiments, fashionable or otherwise, had Black soldiers in them. The British Army of the period made no distinction between soldiers of African or Asian origin, referring to them as either “Black” or “of colour”.
A regimental band could make a positive impression, and win “hearts and minds” amongst the local populace, as the Manchester Mercury,( June 1803), reported:
“Coach and Horses Inn, June 8 1803. At a special meeting of the Committee of the Sunday Schools belonging to the Established Church, held this day. The Rev. J. Clowes in the Chair:
Resolved, that the thanks of this Committee be also given to Colonel Stuart, of the 18th Light Dragoons, for the very handsome manner in which he was pleased to accommodate the Committee with the regimental band of music, on the day of the anniversary; and that the Rev. R. Dallas be requested to transmit the same to the Colonel.”(2)
In 1804 the 18th embarked at Liverpool for service in Ireland. In 1805 the regiment was re-titled the 18th (King’s Irish) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. In 1807 it was re-titled the 18th (King’s Irish) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons (Hussars). The regiment landed in Portugal in 1808 for service in the Peninsular Campaign. A number of Black soldiers served in the band of the 18th in the Peninsular: Charles Brown was captured in December 1808 and remained a Prisoner of War until 1814. Gonsalvo de Souza was also captured in December 1808 and was declared missing in action. Thomas Henry, Thomas James and James Samuel are also known to have served. After action at the battles of Benavente (1808), Cacabelos (1809) and Corunna (1809), the regiment returned home – having to shoot their horses lest they be captured by the French. Service in the Peninsular had clearly marked the officers and men of the regiment physically and psychologically:
From the Northampton Mercury (February 1809):
“On Thursday part of the 18th regiment of hussars arrived at this time, from Portsmouth and Southampton. This gallant regiment took a very active part in the late campaign in Spain. They are all dismounted; and the fatigue and difficulties they underwent on the Peninsula, are strikingly characterised in their appearance.”(3)
From the Statesman (London, July 1809):
“On Saturday last, a soldier belonging to the 18th Light Dragoons, a recruit, having offended some of his comrades, by refusing to spend his bounty money, agreeably to their wishes, near the Broil barracks near Chichester, was put into a blanket by them, and tossed, as a punishment for his contumacy; but before the discipline was ended, one of the corners of the blanket gave way, and the poor fellow fell violently to the ground, by which accident his neck was dislocated, and he immediately expired.”(4)
From the Star (London, September 1809):
“A few days ago an affray took place at Arundel, between two officers of the 18th Hussars and a party of the inhabitants, when a woman, who was very active in the affair, had one of her fingers cut off by a sabre.”(6)
In April 1810 a Troop was quartered at Fareham and Portchester. In July 1810, in Deal, the regiment were inspected by the Prince Regent. In May 1812 a detachment from the regiment escorted the Prince Regent, the Queen and the Princesses (Elizabeth and Mary) from London to Windsor.
In January 1813 the regiment embarked at Portsmouth for the Peninsular, this time in pursuit rather than in retreat. That year the 18th saw action at the battles of Morales, Vittoria, Sorauren and Nive. According to Lieutenant George Woodberry, during the winter of 1813-1814, the band lost their instruments and were sent to serve amongst the ranks,(7) revealing the versatility of military bandsmen – whether Black or White.
By early 1814 the 18th Hussars were in a brigade under the direct command of Colonel Richard Hussey Vivian (1775-1842). They saw action at Orthez (1814) and Toulouse (1814). In the latter battle, the capture of a key bridge at Croix d’Orade by the regiment, contributed greatly to a British victory. It also resulted in the development of a close relationship between the regiment and Richard Hussey Vivian, at whose command they seized the bridge. Severely wounded at Toulouse, Vivian was subsequently promoted to Major-General and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB).
At least one Black soldier was serving with the regiment at this time: Trumpeter James Goodwin of Barbados, who in 1848 was issued the retrospectively awarded Military General Service Medal (1793-1814), with clasps for the battles of Vittoria, Orthes and Toulouse.
The 18th returned to Britain in July 1814 but had little time to rest on its laurels: Napoleon’s return from Elba led to their participation in the subsequent Waterloo campaign. On the 18th of June 1815, the 18th Hussars was one of three regiments of Major-General Vivian’s 6th Cavalry Brigade (the others being the 10th Hussars and the 1st Hussars of the King’s German Legion). During the battle, James Goodwin of the 18th was the Black trumpeter observed by Sergeant Matthew Colgan of the regiment as Major-General Vivian initially deployed his brigade:
“We had not been many minutes in this position when the French guns opened up on us, but they were harmless owing to the manner the general, Sir H. Vivian, who had taken up his position with his staff and black trumpeter, manoeuvred us, having no further effect than dashing the earth in our faces, some falling short and others over-reaching us.”(8)
In the late afternoon, Vivian’s brigade was one of two cavalry brigades ordered to move to support the centre of the Allied line, which was under attack by the Imperial Guard. After the enemy were repulsed, Vivian’s brigade charged between Hougoumont and La Haye Sainte, sweeping the Middle Guard and Line before them. Vivian led his brigade with aplomb, managing to exert the command and control necessary to charge, recall, reform and charge again (British cavalry were notorious for being difficult to reform once the charge was called). Trumpeter James Goodwin, as the brigade trumpeter, would have been vital in this process.
According to Dalton, when the 18th Hussars were approaching two squares of the Old Guard, General Vivian rode up to the regiment and delivered the brief address: “Eighteenth, you will follow me.” The 18th responded, in expressive language, that they were ready to follow the general anywhere.(9)
At Waterloo the 18th Hussars suffered over 100 casualties (killed, wounded or missing), out of the approximately 400 officers and men who took to the field. Whilst this was the heaviest in the brigade, the casualty rate of the 6th Cavalry Brigade itself compared favourably with that of other Allied cavalry brigades.(10)
In Vivian’s small command group, (three officers, one orderly and one trumpeter), Captain Harris, his Brigade-Major (and formerly of the 18th), was wounded by a musket ball in the chest, lost his right arm and was recovered from the battlefield by his cousin, serving in the 10th Hussars. In his memoirs, Vivian credited his orderly with saving his life.(11) No mention is made in the memoirs of the Black trumpeter who rode alongside him that day.
Following Napoleon’s surrender, the 18th Hussars remained on the continent with the Allied Army of Occupation. In 1816 the “Waterloo Men” of the regiment, including James Goodwin and Thomas James, received their Waterloo Medals – the first campaign medal officially awarded to the British Army. That same year, Major-General Vivian was censured by Lieutenant-General, Lord Combermere, under orders from Wellington, for failure to report an affray in a Boulogne theatre caused by officers of the 18th.(12)
In late 1818 the 18th returned to England from France. The Head-Quarters, including the band, were in Newcastle, with detachments at Carlisle, Penrith and Whitehaven. In April 1819 “the band of the 18th Hussars played several favourite airs” at the “Newcastle Masquerade”, during which local worthies and officers of the regiment dressed variously as Gypsies, Jewish pedlars, Turks, Chinese and Indian ladies, Greeks and various members of the Catholic Clergy.(13)
In June 1819, the 18th sailed from Liverpool to Ireland. Service in Ireland, even for a regiment with such strong links to the country, inevitably resulted in conflict: In Limerick, in December 1819, a detachment of the 18th were pursued and fired at by a party of 500 people whilst they supported the County Sub-Sheriff confiscating cattle.(14)
The following year, the 18th were in County Clare hunting for “Ribbonmen”, poverty-stricken rural Irish Catholics who had turned to political agitation (and in some cases violence) to address injustice.(15)
In May 1821 the regiment were quartered in the purpose-built Cavalry Barracks at Caher. Later the same years, they were disbanded whilst in barracks at Newbridge, County Kildare.
The 18th Hussars were reformed in 1858 and are one of the antecedent regiments of the Light Dragoons.(17)
Post Script.
The biographies of the Black soldiers of the 18th Hussars are in the Appendix.
Major-General Vivian had a distinguished career after Waterloo: Promotion to Lieutenant-General, Inspector General of Cavalry, “Groom to the Bedchamber” serving King William IV, MP for Truro then Windsor (1821-1831). MP for East Cornwall (1837-1841) and being raised to the peerage, as Baron Vivian, of Glynn and Truro. He died in 1842.
However, he maintained his connection with the 18th Hussars: On the disbandment of the regiment, the 18th presented Vivian with a silver trumpet, purchased with Waterloo Prize Money. The trumpet was inscribed:
“Purchased by the desire of the Soldiers of the 18th Hussars with part of the Prize Money arising from the enemy’s horses captured by their Brigade, under the command of Major-General Hussey Vivian, K.C.B., at the Battle of Waterloo, 18th June, 1815.”(18)
The silver trumpet was accompanied by a letter written Captain Standish O’Grady, (2nd Viscount Gillamoure, 1792-1848), who had served in the 7th Hussars in the Peninsular (under Vivian), and at Waterloo, prior to transferring to the 18th Hussars.
“This Corps is now disbanded. Its Officers separate, perhaps to meet no more. But they are anxious that the 18th Hussars should still live in the memory of one, who they have always highly respected. They avail themselves, therefore, of the last opportunity, to present you this testimonial of that victory, to which it was their fortune to be led by you, not only to recall the glorious achievements with your fame, but also to convince you that while you gained their admiration as a soldier, you failed not to obtain their hearts as a friend.”(19)
Vivian replied:
“That a regiment, to which I had such reason to be attached from its having served so much under my orders, and which ever found so patient under privations, so cheerful in all difficulties, so ready to obey and so willing to follow – a regiment than which does not exist in his Majesty’s service one more loyal, or more brave, should be disbanded, could but affect me with most heartfelt regret;- that the Officers should, at the moment of the ‘separation, perhaps to meet no more’ have remembered my poor service towards, and with them, gives rise to feelings, to which no language can do justice.”(20)
Vivian’s own portrait, painted by Martin Archer Shee sometime between 1816 and 1842, includes a Black figure. The subject is in the uniform of a British cavalry general, with both K.C.B and Waterloo Medal. The Black figure wears a Hussar uniform, (possibly of the 7th Hussars – the regiment Vivian both served in and commanded between 1799 and 1814), including a sabre and sabretache – worn in a similar manner to the subject, and therefore suggesting that both figures are soldiers, albeit, with the depiction of the Black Hussar conforming to artistic conventions vis-à-vis “race” and the depiction of Black combatants.(21)
When he was newly ennobled, the new 1st Baron Vivian selected a coat of arms that referenced both the 18th Hussars (specifically the capture of the bridge at Croix d’Orade), and the Battle of Waterloo.
The coat of arms of Major-General Richard Hussey Vivian includes a Hussar of the 18th standing on a bridge, holding a sabre in his right hand and in his left a pennon inscribed Croix d’Orade.(23)
The two smaller medals represent those awarded for service in the Peninsular and Waterloo, the larger his KCB. The mounted figures on the left and right, represent his Colonelcy of the 1st Dragoons (1837-1842) and 12th Lancers (1827-1837) respectively.
Appendix: The Black Soldiers of the 18th Hussars
The presence of most soldiers of the British Army Napoleonic Wars passed un-noticed apart from them being mentioned by rank and name in the quarterly Muster Books and Paylists for their regiment (if they survive). Even then, pension records for the Royal Hospitals of Chelsea and Kilmainham (Dublin), have to be used prior to identifying and then retrospectively “backfilling” the service of an individual soldier. However, a Description Book (or Regimental Record of Service) belonging to the regiment survives for 1812-1819, which facilitates the identification of ethnicity. When used alongside civilian records – newspapers and parish registers – a fascinating portrait emerges of the men who served in the 18th Hussars.(24)
William Bailley (Served 1815)
William Bailley was born in Irishtown, Halifax, Nova-Scotia c.1785. He enlisted in the 18th at Romford in June 1815. On enlistment he was 5/10” tall, with a dark complexion, dark eyes, woolly black hair (indicating he was Black) and a round visage. He was a labourer by occupation. He was discharged in November 1815. His fate remains unknown. Sources: Surname also rendered as Baillie and Bailey. TNA WO 25/292.
Charles Brown (Served 1799-1815)
Charles Brown was born in Charleston, USA c.1772. Prior to joining the 18th, he served in the 5th Dragoons, the “Royal Irish”, between September 1798 and April 1799. Brown was discharged when the 5th Dragoons were disbanded and erased from the Army List following the “Irish Rebellion” (1798). He re-enlisted in the 18th in June 1799. On enlistment he was 5/5 and 1/2” tall, with a black complexion, black eyes, woolly black hair and a round visage. He was a servant by occupation. He served as a private with the band in the Peninsular, (attached to No. 5 Troop at Benavente), becoming a Prisoner of War in December 1808 until July 1814. After returning to the regiment, he was not present at Waterloo, he transferred to the 1st Garrison Battalion in October 1815. He was discharged on a pension of 9d per day in September 1816 due to a reduction of the establishment and having a fistula of the anus. He marked, rather than signed, his records, suggesting he was signature illiterate. His fate remains unknown. Sources: TNA WO 25/280, 25/292, WO 12/1423 WO 97/1146.
Gonsalvo de Souza (Served 1806-1808)
Gonsalvo de Souza was born in Bango, Africa c.1788. (“Bango” cannot be identified). He enlisted in the 18th at Dublin in July 1806, however, it is possible that he joined underage in Canterbury in December 1803. On enlistment he was 4/6 and ½” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, woolly black hair and a round visage. He was a musician by occupation. He deserted briefly in October 1807 but returned. He served as a private with the band in the Peninsular (attached to No. 9 Troop at Benavente), becoming a Prisoner of War in December 1808. He was subsequently declared missing in action. Sources: TNA WO 25/280, 25/292 and WO 12/1423.
Richard Downs (Served 1815-1818)
Richard Downs was born in Jamaica c.1797. He enlisted in the 18th at London in May 1815. On enlistment he was 5/10 and ¾” tall with a mulatto complexion, black eyes and black curly hair. He was a servant by occupation. Upon enlistment he joined Captain Milner’s Troop (the Depot Troop of the 18th), in the rank of Private and it was noted that he was “a recruit from London”. He was not present at Waterloo. He was discharged in July 1818 being unfit for service. His fate remains unknown. Sources: TNA WO 12/1376 and WO 25/292.
James Goodwin (Served 1809-1821)
James Goodwin was born in Bridgetown, Barbados c.1789. He enlisted in the 18th at Arundel in June 1809. Initially a private in the band, he was promoted to trumpeter in July 1812 and there-after spent his whole service in the role. On enlistment he was 5/10” tall with a black complexion (he was also described as “a man of colour”), black eyes and black hair. He was a carpenter by occupation. James Goodwin served with the regiment in the Peninsular, France and at Waterloo. On the 18th of June 1815 he was the Black trumpeter observed by Sergeant Matthew Colgan of the 18th Hussars as Major-General Vivian initially deployed his brigade, (including the 10th and 18th Hussars and the 1st Hussars of the King’s German Legion):
“We had not been many minutes in this position when the French guns opened up on us, but they were harmless owing to the manner the general, Sir H. Vivian, who had taken up his position with his staff and black trumpeter, manoeuvred us, having no further effect than dashing the earth in our faces, some falling short and others over-reaching us.”(25)
James Goodwin was awarded the Waterloo Medal – medals were awarded without discrimination. In September 1821, he transferred to the 4th Dragoons (whose Black presence dated from 1715 to the 1840s) when the 18th disbanded. On transferring he was described as having a black complexion and black woolly hair. Colonel Murray, Commanding Officer of the 18th, (who had led the regiment in the Peninsular and at Waterloo), noted that Goodwin had “…distinguished himself in action.”
Whilst stationed in India with the 4th, from 1822 to 1841, James Goodwin married Ann Julien in Kaira, India, in May 1825. The witnesses to the marriage were J. Hodgetts (a White regimental comrade), and Sarah Frederick (the wife of Thomas Frederick, another Black trumpeter).
He was promoted Trumpet-Major in the 4th in January 1836, and served in the Scinde and Afghanistan campaign, 1838-1840. This service entitled him to the Ghuznee Medal.
He was discharged on a pension of 1s/10d per day as a Trumpet-Major in March 1840, due to pains in the chest and rheumatic afflictions. He was described as “a good and efficient soldier, seldom in hospital, trustworthy and sober”.
Goodwin returned to England from India, landing in Gravesend. in May 1841. He settled in London. In 1848 he received the retrospectively awarded the Military General Service Medal (1793-1814), with clasps for the Peninsular battles of Vittoria, Orthes and Toulouse. Anne Goodwin died in King’s College Hospital and was buried in St Clements Danes Church in February 1851. The 1851 census reveals that James Goodwin was resident in Clement’s Lane in St. Clement Danes (Clement’s Lane was a small thoroughfare named after the church located on it). He was a widower living alone and a Chelsea out-pensioner born in Bridgetown, West Indies. In 1855, whilst a resident of St Clement’s Inn, he requested an increase in his pension, however it was refused. He remained a resident of St Clement Danes, London until his death from old age in October 1865. Sources: TNA WO 23/13, WO 25/280, WO 25/281, WO 97/54 and WO 120/52. Waterloo Medal Roll. TNA WO 100, (MGSM). 4th Dragoons in India 1822-1841: Wendy Leahy. http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/index.html. Glover, G (ed.). “The Waterloo Archives Volume IV: British Sources”. (Frontline Books, 2012). pp. 91-96. Ellis, JD. “Trumpeter James Goodwin” in The Light Dragoon: The Regimental Journal of The Light Dragoons. Vol.3. Number 1. April 2002. pps 73-74. Also “Trumpet-Major James Goodwin: A Black Hero of the Battle of Waterloo”. academia.edu Also “They were there too – Black Soldiers in the British Army at the Battle of Waterloo”. academia.edu
Thomas Henry (Served 1809-)
Thomas Henry was born in Kingston, Jamaica c.1793. He enlisted in the 18th at Arundel in July 1809. On enlistment he was 5/8 and ½” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, woolly black hair and a round visage. He was a cabinet maker by occupation. He served as a private with the band and deserted twice: Firstly, in September 1809, secondly, between April and August 1810. However, he seems to have returned to the regiment because it was recorded that he died whilst “on detachment”. Sources: Surname also rendered as Hurry. TNA WO 12/1423 and WO 25/292.
Frederick Jacques (Served 1803-1807)
Frederick Jacques was born in Surinam, South America c. 1783. He enlisted in the 18th at Canterbury in December 1803. On enlistment he had a black complexion black eyes and woolly black hair. He was a cooper by occupation. He served as a private in the band and deserted in October 1807. His fate remains unknown. Sources: TNA WO 25/280, 25/291 and WO 25/292.
Thomas James (Served 1809-1821)
Thomas James was born in Montserrat c.1789. He enlisted for unlimited service in the 18th at Arundel in June 1809. On enlistment he was 5/7 and ½” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, woolly black hair and a round visage. He was a servant by occupation. He served as a private with the band in the Peninsular, (attached to No. 6 Troop at Benavente). He was present at Waterloo (with Captain Lloyd’s Troop), but not actually on the battlefield with the regiment. He was noted as being with the officers’ baggage and was severely wounded late in the afternoon of the 18th of June when…the Duke of Cumberland’s Hussars (Brunswickers) left the field en-masse and made for Brussels, adding insult to injury by looting the Eighteenth’s officers’ baggage on the way.” (Mallinson). Thomas James received the Waterloo Medal – almost certainly because he put up a spirited defence and was severely wounded.
He re-enlisted for unlimited service in Newcastle in March 1819. In 1821, whilst he was serving in Ireland, the 18th was disbanded. Thomas James’s records noted that an allowance had been paid for his travel from Dublin to Bristol and then for travel whilst in England (to take him to the Royal Hospital, Chelsea). He was discharged on a pension of 5d per day, in September 1821, “upon the disbandment of the regiment”. His conduct was described as “very good”. He re-enlisted in the 3rd Foot Guards (now the Scots Guards), in September 1821, when he was described as “a man of colour”, and “single”). However, his service was brief, and in December 1821 he was discharged due to a reduction of the band. He marked, rather than signed, his records, suggesting he was signature illiterate. His fate remains unknown, although annotations in his records suggest that he may have died in 1827. Sources: Confusingly his name was also rendered as James Thomas. TNA WO 12/1423, WO 25/292, WO 67/1, WO 97/72/76, WO 97/181/86, and WO 67/1. Mallinson, A. “Light Dragoons: The Making of a Regiment.” (Pen & Sword Military, 2012).James Samuel (Served 1800-1818)
James Samuel was born in Charleston, USA c.1773. He enlisted in the 18th at Dublin in March 1800. On enlistment he was 5/3” tall with a black complexion, black eyes, woolly black hair and a thin visage. He was a cook by occupation. In the summer of 1808, prior to deploying to the Peninsular, “The Return of Women of the 18th Light Dragoons not allowed to embark with husbands and to whom and allowance has been paid to carry them home” noted 91 wives (plus children). One of these was Mary Samuel, a mother of two children, who gave her intended place of residence as Ireland.
She was paid £1/11s. James Samuel served as a private with the band in the Peninsular, (attached to No. 1 Troop at Benavente). He was not present at Waterloo. He was discharged on a pension of 7d per day in December 1818 due to a reduction in the establishment of the regiment and being worn out in service. He was “of good character” and signed his records, suggesting he was signature literate. His fate, and that of his family, remains unknown. Sources: Surname also rendered as Samuels. TNA 12/1423, WO 25/280, 25/292, WO 97/117 and WO 291.William Walker (Served 1815-1818)
William Walker was born in Nottingham, New Hampshire, USA c.1787. He enlisted in the 18th at Regimental Headquarters, Maidstone in 1815. On enlistment he was 5/6” tall, with a dark complexion, black eyes and black woolly hair (indicating he was Black). He was a servant by occupation. He was discharged in December 1818 due to a reduction of the establishment. He can now be identified as the Black former soldier involved in an incident in Green Park, Westminster in February 1819:
Yesterday afternoon, about two o’clock, Sir Claudius Hunter came to this Office, and stated to Mr White, the Sitting Magistrate, that about half an hour before, he was going along Piccadilly, when his attention was arrested by a poor black man, whom he observed walking close to the edge of the water, upon the bank of the basin in the Green Park. A great number of people also stopped to watch him. One young gentleman came up and gave him some money, but he was apparently unable to put it in his pocket, and it dropped on the ground. The gentleman humanely put it into the pocket for him, and removed him from the water to the paling opposite, but he crawled to the water again and threw himself in. The persons who were watching then hastened to the spot, and he was taken out. He exhibited the greatest picture of misery imaginable, quite destitute of any property, except what he received from the gentleman above alluded to, violently quivering and extremely weak. The Worthy Alderman, on going towards the spot in order to see that proper relief should be afforded to him, found that he had laid himself in the shallow part of the water, and therefore caused him to be taken to the Police-office, for the purpose of ascertaining whether he was in real distress or an imposter. The account the Black gave of himself was, that he was a native of North America, and was brought to this country by a merchantman; but not being able to get on board of any ship again, he enlisted into the 18th Hussars, with which regiment he had been abroad four years. About 6 weeks ago they arrived from France; the head-quarters were at Newcastle, but the troop to which he belonged was sent to St Alban’s, where he was discharged about four weeks ago. Not having any money, he could not get a lodging since, and slept in the open air. He had a brother, who was butler in a family at Guildford, and was going to see him. He did not mean to commit suicide; but in consequence of an injury he received by a fall from a horse; his head was sometimes affected, and he did not know what he was doing – He was ordered to be sent to the workhouse, till inquiry was made into the truth of his statement.
The place of birth and service details reveal the individual concerned to have been William Walker. His fate remains unknown. Sources: TNA WO 12/1376 and WO 25/292. Morning Chronicle, 10th February 1819. findmypast.co.uk
References.
1)Malet, Capt. HE, “Historical Records of the Eighteenth Hussars” (William Clowes & Sons, London, 1869).
2)Manchester Mercury, 14th June 1803. findmypast.co.uk
3)Northampton Mercury, 18th February 1809. findmypast.co.uk
4)Statesman, (London), 26th July 1809.
5)From the Statesman, London, 26th July 1809. findmypast.co.uk
6)Star, 23rd September 1809. findmypast.co.uk
7)Glover, G and Yorke, G.(Eds.). “With Wellington’s Hussars in the Peninsula and Waterloo: The Journals of George Woodberry, 18th Hussars”. (Frontline Books, 2018).
8)Glover, G (ed.). “The Waterloo Archives Volume IV: British Sources”. (Frontline Books, 2012). pp. 91-96. Matthew Colgan was born in Killaderry, King’s County (Offaly) c.1789. He enlisted in the 18th at Liverpool in July 1807. On enlistment he was 5/4” tall, with a sallow complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He was a labourer by occupation. He was promoted Corporal in May 1813, and Sergeant in May 1814. He was discharged in May 1821 with a gratuity of £20. For Matthew Colgan see TNA WO 25/292. There were at least two Black trumpeters in the 6th Cavalry Brigade: William Afflick from St Kitts serving with the 10th Hussars and James Goodwin from Barbados serving with the 18th Hussars. In addition to another Black soldier in the 18th, Thomas James of Montserat, serving in the rank of Private. The Muster Books and Pay Lists for the three regiments of the brigade reveal James Goodwin was the only trumpeter of the three regiments in the brigade “On Duty” during the Waterloo Campaign. Suggesting that he was deployed out of the regiment – “On Duty” with the brigade staff. It is not known how many Black soldiers served with the British Army at Waterloo, as neither musters or medal rolls provide indicators of “race”/ethnicity. For William Afflick see: Ellis, JD. “A Revolutionary Activist in his own cause: William Afflick of the 10th Hussars.” Westminster History Review 5. Barber, J and Sargent, J (eds.), (City of Westminster Archives Centre, London, 2007). See www.academia.edu/ Also Ellis, JD. “They were there too – Black Soldiers in the British Army at the Battle of Waterloo”. academia.edu/ The National Archives: 10th Dragoons (Hussars) 1815-1816: British Army Muster Books and Pay Lists, 1812-1817. TNA WO 12/00935. ancestry.co.uk 18th Dragoons (Hussars) 1814-1815: British Army Muster Books and Pay Lists, 1812-1817. TNA WO 12/01376. ancestry.co.uk King’s German Legion, 1st Hussars 1815: British Army Muster Books and Pay Lists, 1812-1817. TNA WO 12/11800. ancestry.co.uk
9)Dalton, C. “The Waterloo Roll Call. With Biographical Notes and Anecdotes”. (2nd edition, Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, 1904). www.gutenberg.org/files/51143/51143-h/51143-h.htm.
10)Smith, D. “The Greenhill Napoleonic Wars Data Book”. (Greenhill Books, London, 1998).
11)Bettesworth Harris, C and Harris, TN. “Brief Memoir of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Sir TN Harris”. (1893).
12)Wellesley, AR, Duke of Wellington. “Occupation of France by the Allied armies; surrender of Napoleon; and restoration of the Bourbons 1815-1817”. (J Murray, 1858). pp.455-456.
13)Newcastle Courant, 24th April 1819. findmypast.co.uk
14)Morning Post, 27th December 1819. findmypast.co.uk
15)Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser, 22nd March 1820. findmypast.co.uk
16)www.archiseek.com/2016/1819-cavalry-barracks-newbridge-co-kildare/
17)Malet, Capt. HE, “Historical Records of the Eighteenth Hussars” (William Clowes & Sons, London, 1869).
18)Morning Post, 11th October 1821. findmypast.co.uk
19)Morning Post, 11th October 1821. findmypast.co.uk
20)Morning Post, 11th October 1821. findmypast.co.uk
21)Ellis, JD. The Visual Representation, Role and Origin of Black Soldiers in British Army Regiments During the Early Nineteenth Century. Unpublished MA thesis. MA Degree in Nineteenth Century Culture and Society. University of Nottingham, September 2000. See www.academia.edu/ Also: “Soldiers of African origin in British Army Regiments in England and Yorkshire, 1700s to 1840s”. A paper presented at “What’s happening in Black British History? VIII.” University of Huddersfield, 10th May 2018. See www.academia.edu/ There was at least one Black soldier in the 7th Hussars, who was almost certainly known to Vivian, at least by sight: Thomas Jenkins was born in New York c.1773. He enlisted for unlimited service in the 7th Hussars (then Dragoons), in London, Middlesex, 21st March 1804. On enlistment he had a black complexion, black eyes and black hair. He was a labourer by occupation. The 7th Hussars served in the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns. It is likely that Thomas Jenkins served in the former, but he was not in the latter. The Muster Books and Paylists for the regiment have him in Brighton during the campaign, and joining the 7th in France in May 1816, when he was posted as an orderly to the Regimental Hospital. He served 22 years as a Private and was admitted on a pension of 1s per day, 21st December 1825, aged 52 years and 5/6” tall. He was discharged due to being “unfit for service and having a large family”. A note in his records states that he had asthma and chronic rheumatism contracted in Dublin in 1812. His conduct had been “exceedingly good”, and he marked his records – suggesting signature illiteracy. Discharged whilst the regiment was quartered in York. For Thomas Jenkins see: TNA WO 12/0769, WO 97/72/75, WO 25/889 and WO 120/20.
22)Martin Archer Shee (1769-1850). Oil on canvas. 275 X 186 cm. (Royal Cornwall Museum)
23)www.wikiwand.com/en/Hussey_Vivian,_1st_Baron_Vivian Also www.myfamilysilver.com/pages/crestfinder-crest.aspx?id=168448&name=Vivian
24)Identifying who was of Black or Asian origin in the past is frequently problematic. In addition to the individuals identified below, it is possible that the following soldiers of the 18th might also have been Black: Thomas Diaram (born East Indies c.1796, served 1813-1814). John Gilligan (born Liverpool c.1781, served 1799-1814). James Wise (born Golden Hill, New York c.1781, served 1801-1819).
25)Glover, G (ed.). “The Waterloo Archives Volume IV: British Sources”. (Frontline Books, 2012). pp. 91-96.