Not currently on display at the V&A

Waterloo medal

Medal
1815 (designed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This Waterloo medal was awarded to Richard Cart, who served in the Royal Horse Guards. His grandson, Richard D'Oyly Carte, was a theatre impresario responsible for the financial support of the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, including the formation of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and the founding of the Savoy Theatre.

The Waterloo medal was designed by Thomas Wyon, who adapted the design of a Greek coin of Elis. The medal was conferred upon the 39,000 soldiers who fought in the Battle of Ligny, the Battle of Quatre Bras and the Battle of Waterloo, and was the first medal awarded by the British Government to all soldiers present at an action.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWaterloo medal (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Struck silver
Brief description
Waterloo medal presented to Corporal Richard Cart of the Royal Horse Guards, 1815
Physical description
Silver round medal attached to a metal buckle with a red and blue ribbon. The medal is inscribed on the obverse with the profile of George IV (then Prince Regent) circled with the words 'GEORGE P. REGENT'. The reverse is inscribed with the figure of Victory and the words 'WELLINGTON WATERLOO JUNE 18 1815'.
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.0cm
  • Width: 4.1cm
  • Depth: 0.3cm (Note: Depth of medal)
  • Diameter: 3.6cm (Note: Diameter of medal)
Marks and inscriptions
Obverse: 'GEORGE P. REGENT' Reverse: 'WELLINGTON WATERLOO JUNE 18 1815'
Credit line
Given by Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte
Summary
This Waterloo medal was awarded to Richard Cart, who served in the Royal Horse Guards. His grandson, Richard D'Oyly Carte, was a theatre impresario responsible for the financial support of the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, including the formation of the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and the founding of the Savoy Theatre.

The Waterloo medal was designed by Thomas Wyon, who adapted the design of a Greek coin of Elis. The medal was conferred upon the 39,000 soldiers who fought in the Battle of Ligny, the Battle of Quatre Bras and the Battle of Waterloo, and was the first medal awarded by the British Government to all soldiers present at an action.
Other number
THM/73/34 - Archive number
Collection
Accession number
S.666-2016

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Record createdNovember 21, 2016
Record URL
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