Coldstream Guards.
Sergt. John Graham, Light Company, 2nd Batt.
Distinguished himself in the defence of Hougomont, and by his great personal strength was of great assistance in helping to close the courtyard gate against the French. “At a later period of the day, when in the ranks along the garden wall facing the wood, and when the struggle was most severe in that quarter, he asked Lt.-Col. Macdonell’s permission to fall out. The colonel, knowing the character of the man, expressed his surprise at the request made at such a moment. Graham explained that his brother lay wounded in one of the buildings then on fire; that he wished to remove him to a place of safety, and that he would then lose no time in rejoining the ranks. The request was granted; Graham succeeded in snatching his brother from the terrible fate which menaced him, laid him in a ditch in rear of the enclosure, and true to his word, was again at his post.”—Col. Mackinnon’s History of the Coldstreams. Was selected in August, 1815, for the pension granted by the Rev. — Norcross, Rector of Framlingham, “to the most deserving soldier at Waterloo.” D., at Kilmainham, 23rd April, 1843. He was a native of Cloona, co. Monaghan.
3rd Foot Guards.
| [1] | Sergt.-Maj. Ralph Fraser. |
| [2] | ” Brice MʻGregor. |
[1]. Aided in closing the gate at Hougomont. Served in Egypt in 1801. “In the landing at Aboukir Bay, on 8th March, the boat in which Corporal Fraser was, containing sixty persons, were all destroyed by the enemy’s fire excepting fifteen.” Served in Hanover, at Copenhagen, and in the Pa., and was twice badly wounded. Discharged in Dec., 1818. Aftds. a bedesman in Westminster Abbey. Living in 1861.
[2]. A native of Argyllshire. Enlisted at Glasgow in 1799. Aided in barring the door at Hougomont, and being very strong, was of much service in the gallant defence of that farmhouse. Shot a cuirassier dead who attacked him, and rode into the courtyard on the Frenchman’s horse. Discharged in 1821 with a handsome pension. Appointed one of the Yeomen of the Guard. D. 27th Nov., 1816.
23rd Regiment of Foot.