The Great Waterloo Controversy: The Story of the 52nd Foot at History's Greatest Battle

As the Battle of Waterloo reached its momentous climax, Napoleon’s Imperial Guard marched towards the Duke of Wellington’s thinning red line. The Imperial Guard had never tasted defeat and nothing, it seemed, could stop it smashing through the British ranks. But it was the Imperial Guard that was sent reeling back in disorder, its columns ravaged by the steady volleys of the British infantry.

The credit for defeating the Imperial Guard went to the 1st Foot Guards, which was consequently hono...