Waterloo Medal 1815 With original steel clip and ring suspension, rank engraved. Corporal James William, 1st Batt. 71st Foot VF/GVF

James William was born in 1793 and enlisted as a boy entrant in the 71st on 25 April 1809. He served in the 2nd Battalion at Glasgow Barracks and commenced his main service on 25 October 1809, on attaining his 18th birthday.

In January 1814, he transferred to the 1st Battalion on active service in France where he was present at the battle of Toulouse (entitled to medal and clasp).

Promoted to Corporal on 25 December 1814, he served in Captain Gordons Company at Waterloo. He was reduced to Private on 8 November 1815 and was discharged without pension from the Army of Occupation in France on 21 May 1818, at the termination of his engagement.

The 71st played no part in the battle of Quatre Bras but did do excellent service two days later at Waterloo where the battalion lost 16 officers and 198 men killed and wounded.

The battalion marched on to Paris after the battle and remained in France until the end of October 1818 when it embarked at Calais for Dover which was reached on October 29th.

Rank engraved.