After returning from the charge, the Royals resumed their post in position, and were exposed to a heavy cannonade. In the afternoon the brigade was moved to its right; and, Colonel Muter having been wounded, Lieut.-Colonel Clifton of the Royals took the command of the three regiments; when the command of the Royals devolved on Brevet Lieut.-Colonel Dorville. The enemy made several attacks on various points, but was uniformly repulsed. At length the Duke of Wellington assumed the offensive. The Royals again advanced, and the allied army made a simultaneous rush upon the enemy, who was overthrown, cut down, and pursued with dreadful slaughter from the field of battle. Thus ended a day glorious to the British arms beyond precedent. The distinguished services of the Heavy Cavalry did not fail to excite admiration:—by their powerful attacks they more than once restored the battle; and they were especially noticed by the Duke of Wellington in his despatch.
The Royal Dragoons had Captain Windsor, Lieutenant Foster, Cornets Magniac and Sykes, Adjutant Shepley, six serjeants, eighty-six men, and one hundred and sixty-one horses killed: Brevet Major Radclyffe[66], Captain Clark, Lieutenants Gunning, Keily, Trafford, Wyndowe, Ommaney, Blois, and Goodenough, with six serjeants, eighty-two men, and thirty-five horses, wounded; also two men wounded and taken prisoners.
On the following morning the allied army advanced, directing its march upon Paris, which city was surrendered in the early part of July. The Royals accompanied the army, and on the 7th of July marched into quarters at Nanterre, a village situate about seven miles from the French capital. The Bourbon dynasty was restored to the throne, and the campaign terminated.
1816
The Royals left Nanterre on the 30th of July, and proceeded to Rouen, and in October to Montevilliers; from whence they marched, in December, to the vicinity of the coast; and in the early part of January, 1816, embarked at Calais. The regiment landed at Dover and Ramsgate on the 15th of that month, and proceeding from thence to Ipswich barracks, arrived there on the 23rd; and, on the 25th, the establishment was reduced from ten to eight troops. For their distinguished gallantry on the 18th of June, 1815, permission was granted for the Royal Dragoons to bear the word "Waterloo" and an "Eagle" on their standards and appointments: every officer and man present at that engagement received a silver medal to be worn on the left breast, and the subaltern officers and soldiers had the privilege of reckoning two years' service for that day, towards increase of pay and pension.
The following officers of the Royal Dragoons received medals and marks of royal favour for their services during the war:—
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Colonel Arthur Benjamin Clifton.
Medal and one clasp for Fuentes d'Onor, and Vittoria.
Companion of the order of the Bath.
Medal for Waterloo.
The second class of the Russian order of St. Anne.
The fourth class of the order of Wilhelm of Holland.
Majors.
Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Dorville.
Companion of the order of the Bath.
Waterloo Medal.