Woodchester Man at Waterloo - Sunday 18 June 1815
Whilst I was researching Woodchester residents serving in WW1, the inevitable question was asked. "Did we have anyone at Waterloo?" Well, the answer is yes!
James Dudbridge was, according to his discharge papers, born in Woodchester in 1777. Although there were several Dudbridge families in the village at the time, there is not an appropriate baptism for him at St Mary's. If I have interpreted the papers correctly, he enlisted as a private in the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot at Gloucester, on 24 September 1799 aged 22.
James served just under 3 years as a private before being promoted to corporal. After a further 5 years he became a sergeant.
He served in South America which could mean he was with the 1st Bn at the failed attempt to capture Buenos Aires in 1806. The battalion was then deployed to Spain and Portugal from 1808 to 1814. The medal rolls put him at Vimiera and Talavera but no more, which may suggest that he was wounded. He then served in North America (Canada) . The battalion was sent there in 1814 to fight in the War of 1812 (1812 to 1815) against the Americans but were quickly recalled following Napoleon's escape from Elba.
By the time of the Battle of Waterloo, he was still with the 40th Foot which was part of the 6th Division of Wellington's army, under the command of Lt Gen Sir Lowry Cole. They joined the force just before the battle commenced and were initially placed in reserve. Later in the day, they were moved to the centre of the line near La Haye Sainte. The 40th Foot held firm all day and helped drive off Napoleon's final massed infantry attack, losing 167 killed or wounded.
James was discharged from the army, 19 January 1819 due to 'Reduction in the Establishment of the Regiment', having served 21 years and 118 days. His conduct as a soldier had been very good. His description, should you ever need to identify him, was as follows - 5 feet 9 ins (1.75m) tall, dark hair, grey eyes and fresh complexion. He was by trade a labourer but he appears to have been sufficiently literate to sign his discharge papers in a very tidy hand.
In 1851, James Dudbridge, aged 73, born Woodchester, a Chelsea Pensioner, was living in Littleworth with his wife Jane. They were already in Littleworth in 1841 living in 'Scorpion's Row'.
The list of Chelsea Pensioners who served in Canada conveniently tells us that he died 3.3/51, which might be interpreted as 3 March 1851. Unfortunately, the census was taken as at midnight on 30/31 March so something doesn't quite add up.
Finally, if anyone has any questions about Woodchester men at Agincourt (Friday 25 October 1415) - please keep them to yourselves.
Whilst I was researching Woodchester residents serving in WW1, the inevitable question was asked. "Did we have anyone at Waterloo?" Well, the answer is yes!
James Dudbridge was, according to his discharge papers, born in Woodchester in 1777. Although there were several Dudbridge families in the village at the time, there is not an appropriate baptism for him at St Mary's. If I have interpreted the papers correctly, he enlisted as a private in the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot at Gloucester, on 24 September 1799 aged 22.
James served just under 3 years as a private before being promoted to corporal. After a further 5 years he became a sergeant.
He served in South America which could mean he was with the 1st Bn at the failed attempt to capture Buenos Aires in 1806. The battalion was then deployed to Spain and Portugal from 1808 to 1814. The medal rolls put him at Vimiera and Talavera but no more, which may suggest that he was wounded. He then served in North America (Canada) . The battalion was sent there in 1814 to fight in the War of 1812 (1812 to 1815) against the Americans but were quickly recalled following Napoleon's escape from Elba.
By the time of the Battle of Waterloo, he was still with the 40th Foot which was part of the 6th Division of Wellington's army, under the command of Lt Gen Sir Lowry Cole. They joined the force just before the battle commenced and were initially placed in reserve. Later in the day, they were moved to the centre of the line near La Haye Sainte. The 40th Foot held firm all day and helped drive off Napoleon's final massed infantry attack, losing 167 killed or wounded.
James was discharged from the army, 19 January 1819 due to 'Reduction in the Establishment of the Regiment', having served 21 years and 118 days. His conduct as a soldier had been very good. His description, should you ever need to identify him, was as follows - 5 feet 9 ins (1.75m) tall, dark hair, grey eyes and fresh complexion. He was by trade a labourer but he appears to have been sufficiently literate to sign his discharge papers in a very tidy hand.
In 1851, James Dudbridge, aged 73, born Woodchester, a Chelsea Pensioner, was living in Littleworth with his wife Jane. They were already in Littleworth in 1841 living in 'Scorpion's Row'.
The list of Chelsea Pensioners who served in Canada conveniently tells us that he died 3.3/51, which might be interpreted as 3 March 1851. Unfortunately, the census was taken as at midnight on 30/31 March so something doesn't quite add up.
Finally, if anyone has any questions about Woodchester men at Agincourt (Friday 25 October 1415) - please keep them to yourselves.