An Outstanding & Exceptionally Rare “OFFICER’s” WATERLOO MEDAL
To:
LIEUT (Later Lieutenant Colonel) GEORGE WHANNELL
33rd FOOT (1st Yorks, West Riding Regt)
George Whannell joined the army in 1812 at age 13 and held the great distinction of being the youngest officer to fight at The Battle of Waterloo when aged just 17.
[BIOGRAPHY] 1798 - (Retired in 1848 at 50) - Died 1861 (63)
George Whannell was born in London on 3rd June 1798 and joined the army as an Ensign with 33rd Foot Regiment on 1st March 1811 at the age of only 13. During his career he served in the the Netherlands, the West Indies and in Canada.
His service at Waterloo was unique and very remarkable in that he was the youngest officer in the British Army to take part in the battle being only 17 years 15 days old on 18th June 1815.
[OFFICER CASUALTIES of 33rd FOOT,
AT THE BATTLE OF WATERLOOKILLED (6) & WOUNDED (14)]
(Killed)-6
Lt BOYCE
Lt BUCK
Lt J. CAMERON (d.o.w)
Lt GORE
Capt HAIGH
Lt HART
(Severely Wounded)-8
Ens G.DRURY. (Captain in 1817 list)
Capt J. FORLONG ( Lt 1817)
Lt J.MURKLAND (Lt 1817)
Lt J.H. OGLE (Capt 1817)
Lt W.PAGAN (Major 1817)
Maj E. PARKINSON (Major 1817)
Lt T.REID (Captain 1817)
Lt R.WESTMORE (Captain 1817)
(Wounded)-6
Capt J.M.HARTY (Major in 1817)
Ens J.A. HOWARD (Lt 1817)
Capt C.KNIGHT (Major 1817)
Capt W. Mc INTYRE (Major 1817)
Adj Ens W. THAIN (Lt 1817)
Lt T. HAIGH ...not on the 1817 army list.
In addition, the 33rd Foot also lost 49 other ranks killed, 162 wounded and 58 missing.
*NOTE* Not a single other fellow officer who was on the Waterloo wounded list was still in service with the 33rd Regt by 1845 with most almost certainly having left the army.
George Whannell went the full distance until retirement from the army in 1848, and is seen selling his commission at age 50 after a distinguished 37 year career. During his service he rose from a 13 year old Ensign to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and became second in command of the 33rd Foot Regiment.
[POST ARMY LIFE] 1848-1861 -A Thirteen Year Retirement-
He does not seem to have ever married and he’s next seen three years later on the 1851 census living at 65 Haymarket, London. *Now the Empire Cinema* as a lodger, described as being age 53 (Army Colonel Retired) Head of house. Mr George Practor, A Hairdresser.
On the 1861 census he’s seen living at 17-18 Charles St, St James, London, as a lodger.(Army Colonel Retired) aged 63.
Head of Household. George Noel. A Bording house manager.
The 1861 census was held on Sunday 7th April and George died just 22 days later on Monday 29th April aged 63 at the Charles St address.
*To put his life span into further historical context, he was born when George III was on the throne of England with William Pitt as Prime Minister. At the time of his death in 1861, Queen Victoria had already been on the throne for 23 years. He died just 17 days after the start of The American Civil War which commenced on 12th April 1861. A Will, published on 17th May 1861 exists.
This is a greatly desirable & historically important medal to an officer who attained very high rank through much long & outstanding army service.
Seldom does one encounter an Officer’s Waterloo Medal of any type, so to see one to an officer who attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and with such an important service history, and in such high grade, is indeed a truly exceptional situation.
You can count the appearance of these on one hand in a lifetime !
With its original iron ring & clip, and some natural light edge bruising, it has survived and come down to us in outstandingly high grade (About EF) and displays superbly fine detail and original surfaces. As such, this example is head and shoulders above 90% of most of all the surviving medals which normally present in only fine / fine + condition with major wear.
If you are a keen collector of Waterloo medals, this is an extraordinarily important example and a “must have” medal fit for inclusion in the finest collection.
PRICE ON REQUEST ( Serious Telephone Enquires Only )
(With quality part exchanges welcome.)
Call us today on 01342-870960
George Whannell joined the army in 1812 at age 13 and held the great distinction of being the youngest officer to fight at The Battle of Waterloo when aged just 17.
[BIOGRAPHY] 1798 - (Retired in 1848 at 50) - Died 1861 (63)
George Whannell was born in London on 3rd June 1798 and joined the army as an Ensign with 33rd Foot Regiment on 1st March 1811 at the age of only 13. During his career he served in the the Netherlands, the West Indies and in Canada.
His service at Waterloo was unique and very remarkable in that he was the youngest officer in the British Army to take part in the battle being only 17 years 15 days old on 18th June 1815.
[OFFICER CASUALTIES of 33rd FOOT, AT THE BATTLE OF WATERLOOKILLED (6) & WOUNDED (14)] (Killed)-6 Lt BOYCE Lt BUCK Lt J. CAMERON (d.o.w) Lt GORE Capt HAIGH Lt HART
(Severely Wounded)-8
Ens G.DRURY. (Captain in 1817 list)
Capt J. FORLONG ( Lt 1817)
Lt J.MURKLAND (Lt 1817)
Lt J.H. OGLE (Capt 1817)
Lt W.PAGAN (Major 1817)
Maj E. PARKINSON (Major 1817)
Lt T.REID (Captain 1817)
Lt R.WESTMORE (Captain 1817)
(Wounded)-6
Capt J.M.HARTY (Major in 1817)
Ens J.A. HOWARD (Lt 1817)
Capt C.KNIGHT (Major 1817)
Capt W. Mc INTYRE (Major 1817)
Adj Ens W. THAIN (Lt 1817)
Lt T. HAIGH ...not on the 1817 army list.
In addition, the 33rd Foot also lost 49 other ranks killed, 162 wounded and 58 missing.
*NOTE* Not a single other fellow officer who was on the Waterloo wounded list was still in service with the 33rd Regt by 1845 with most almost certainly having left the army.
George Whannell went the full distance until retirement from the army in 1848, and is seen selling his commission at age 50 after a distinguished 37 year career. During his service he rose from a 13 year old Ensign to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and became second in command of the 33rd Foot Regiment.
[POST ARMY LIFE] 1848-1861 -A Thirteen Year Retirement-
He does not seem to have ever married and he’s next seen three years later on the 1851 census living at 65 Haymarket, London. *Now the Empire Cinema* as a lodger, described as being age 53 (Army Colonel Retired) Head of house. Mr George Practor, A Hairdresser.
On the 1861 census he’s seen living at 17-18 Charles St, St James, London, as a lodger.(Army Colonel Retired) aged 63.
Head of Household. George Noel. A Bording house manager.
The 1861 census was held on Sunday 7th April and George died just 22 days later on Monday 29th April aged 63 at the Charles St address.
*To put his life span into further historical context, he was born when George III was on the throne of England with William Pitt as Prime Minister. At the time of his death in 1861, Queen Victoria had already been on the throne for 23 years. He died just 17 days after the start of The American Civil War which commenced on 12th April 1861. A Will, published on 17th May 1861 exists.
This is a greatly desirable & historically important medal to an officer who attained very high rank through much long & outstanding army service.
Seldom does one encounter an Officer’s Waterloo Medal of any type, so to see one to an officer who attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and with such an important service history, and in such high grade, is indeed a truly exceptional situation.
You can count the appearance of these on one hand in a lifetime !
With its original iron ring & clip, and some natural light edge bruising, it has survived and come down to us in outstandingly high grade (About EF) and displays superbly fine detail and original surfaces. As such, this example is head and shoulders above 90% of most of all the surviving medals which normally present in only fine / fine + condition with major wear.
If you are a keen collector of Waterloo medals, this is an extraordinarily important example and a “must have” medal fit for inclusion in the finest collection.
PRICE ON REQUEST ( Serious Telephone Enquires Only )
(With quality part exchanges welcome.)
Call us today on 01342-870960