Waterloo Medal, 1815 (silver with silk ribbon)

From a collection of orders and medals of Maj Gen Sir John Ormsby Vandeleur (1763 – 1 November 1849). Vandeleur commanded a light infantry brigade in the Peninsular War, he was involved in the capture of Ciudad Rodrigo and the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria and the Nive. At the battle of Waterloo he had commanded a brigade of light cavalry which helped rescue the British heavy cavalry following their over-enthusiastic pursuit of D’Erlon’s defeated infantry. After Uxbridge was wounded, Vandeleur was effectively in overall command of all the cavalry in Wellington’s army. For reverse see 1268463.