This was the fate of Pte William Cardiff of the 6th or Inniskilling Dragoons, who, as a member of Captain Edward Hollech’s Troop, would have been part of the charge with the Union Brigade on June 18, 1815.
Cardiff racked up over 24 years’ service, latterly as an officer’s batman while stationed at Nottingham, and it was here that he gave himself a hernia ‘by wheeling a heavy barrow of coals on the 27th December 1828’. Treated by a surgeon, he was trussed up, but a few years later deemed unfit for further service. He was discharged on July 5, 1833.
His Waterloo Medal 1815, fitted with original steel clip and a split-ring suspension, is priced in the region of £3500 by London Medal Company of Cecil Court, London.
Latest Britannia fair
Cardiff's medal is one of the pieces the dealer is bringing to the next Britannia Medal Fair on Sunday, November 17. London auction house Dix Noonan Webb took over the running of the fair last year and made it free to both exhibitors and visitors on a not-for-profit basis.
It has announced that this November’s staging will be followed by events in 2020 on Sunday, April 26, and Sunday, November 15.
It continues to be held at the Victory Services Club in central London (63/79 Seymour Street, London, W2 2HF). The fair comprises more than 50 stands, attracts dealers and auctioneers from throughout the UK.
Organiser Mark Carter, who acquired Britannia in 2016 and has now sold it to DNW, stayed on to manage the event as a consultant. He has exhibited at each Britannia fair except one since it started over 30 years ago.
“I’m delighted to report that we are already fully booked for the November fair and have a small waiting list which ensures a totally full house again,” said Carter. “Just two stallholders from the March fair were unavailable this time and their places were swiftly filled.
“The fair resumes its international feel with the return of Jean-Pierre Kantor from Belgium and Joe Hardman from the US. Not quite as great a distance, but Scotmint (Ayr) and Andrew Jukes (Hexham) will be making the long drive ‘down south’ again.”
