Waterloo talk at History Society

Talk by Dr. Ian Atherton on the commemoration of the battle of Waterloo given to Audlem History Society:

There was a good crowd of about 45 for this talk including 11 visitors, at least one of whom was a re-enactor but not this period.

After a brief outline of the events leading up to the battle and the action in the battle itself (Yes, he did reveal who won!) the main topic of the remembrance of Waterloo was reached. As Napoleon fled it was recognised immediately as a decisive victory, on a par with Crecy or Agincourt.

Scenes were painted of the battlefield in the next few days and people rushed across the Channel to see the site and were disappointed that the bodies had been removed or burned.

By August 1815 there were plaques in the nearest church and by 1817 several memorials including the Lion Mound had been erected on the location. Guides were present, some dressed as veterans, relics real and fake were sold. It was one of Thomas Cook's earliest tours in the 1850's. Visitors collected flowers from the field and pressed them, an Elm tree was killed by souvenir hunters and then cut down and made into a chair presented to the King.

Waterloo Bridge in London was built and led to the naming of Waterloo station later and streets were being named all over the country. It is strange how we accept this without really thinking of its significance. Even the word Peterloo derives from this.

It was the first battlefield to be preserved but was in German hands at the centenary in 1915 so there could not be any ceremonies. Of course each country views the outcome of the battle differently but there is no doubt that it fed the pride in being British. A new memorial was erected for the 2015 anniversary.

This was a fascinating talk, delivered very professionally and opened up a completely new angle on a topic which to some may have seemed jaded. 'I've never known a talk go so quickly, it was so interesting' was one comment.

We now have to try to find some commemorative pottery and look out for other battle memorabilia. Ian is working (with his colleague Philip Morgan) on a book on the topic of commemoration of battlefields. We await this with interest.

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