131 3rd Chevau-Légers Lancers, 1st Empire

They wear a neo-Grecian helmet with fur turban and upon the crest a woollen crest. The tunic lapels, turn-backs, cuffs and collars were of the regimental pink. The saddle is covered by a white sheepskin edged in ‘wolves’ teeth’ material also in the regimental pink.

At the Battle of Waterloo, the 3rd Chevau-Legers Lancers commanded by Colonel Martigue, and attached to the 1st Corps of the ‘Grande Armee’ advanced on the right flank of Napoleon’s assault on Wellington’s centre.

As the French infantry were being routed by the Union Brigade (British heavy cavalry) Colonel Martigue on his own initiative wheeled his regiment to strike the British cavalry on their flank, riding down the Royal North British Dragoons (Scots Greys) and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, and killing General Ponsonby, the Union Brigade’s commander.  They inflicted so many casualties upon the Brigade that upon reforming it could only muster the strength of one squadron.