On the afternoon of 18th June 1815, 400 grey horses charged into the valley at Waterloo in Belgium to deal the final blow to the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte’s final bid to achieve dominance over Europe.
To the cries of “Scotland For Ever”, the charge of the Royal Scots Greys was to go down in history as one of the most resounding demonstrations of bravery of all time. “Les terrible chevaux gris,” as the Emperor himself described his enemy.
And the subsequent victory achieved by the Anglo- Allied army led by the Duke of Wellington, was to guarantee British domination over peace in Europe for almost a hundred years.
Among the men of the Royal Scots Greys who led the charge, one man stood out – the Kilmarnock-born Sergeant Charles Ewart mounted on his steed Jock. Using his sword to devastating affect, Sergeant Ewart fearlessly dispatched three escorts and the bearer to capture the Eagle Standard from the French standard bearer of the 45th Infantry, The Invincibles.
Having witnessed this heroic act, Ewart was instructed by his commanding officer to stand down.Later he was promoted to Ensign on the direct orders of the Prince Regent.
His mortal remains are interred in a special tomb on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. The captured Eagle enjoys pride of place in the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Museum within the castle, and his portrait by the artist Richard Ansdell hangs in the great banqueting hall.
His name is also imortalised by the nearby pub. The Ensign Ewart, at the top of Castle Hill, and this week his ghost was to be seen on the castle esplanade flagging up a series of events being planned for the 200th anniversary of the battle that changed the course of European history.
As Scotland welcomes home her cavalry from its engagements in Afghanistan, the heroes of today are set to pay homage to the heroes of two centuries ago, the sacrifices and valiant deeds of their predecessors.
Over 2015, it is hoped that a troop of grey horses and riders will bring Scotland’s history in the theatre of Europe as they take the story of Waterloo on parade behind marching bands, pipes and drums, through major cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Dundee.
Along with other Scottish and British units linked to the 1815 battle, the Greys will attending the June 2015 commemorations at the battlefield site in Belgium. The Regiment will also march in memory of the formidable Duke of Wellington at an event being hosted on 28th June 2015 by the Marquis of Lothian at Monteviot, his home near Jedburgh.
Added to this, the glorious deeds of Sergeant Ewart are to be celebrated in his hometown of Kilmarnock where a special event is planned, details to be announced later.
Pictured on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, the spirits of Ensign Ewart and Jock were joined by contemporary hero Sergeant Keith Mitchell from Glasgow, who was awarded the Military Cross for outstanding bravery in Afghanistan
Submitted by Roddy Martine
