Uni contributes to weapons on show at Wellington Arch exhibition
Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:57:00 GMT
Popularity of Waterloo Exhibition leads to extension into New Year
French Cuirassiers Heavy Cavalry sabre
POPULAR fascination for a battle that changed the face of European history means that a London exhibition displaying some of its weaponry and artefacts has been given a lengthy extension and might become permanent. A University of Huddersfield expert has played a key part in the success.
The Rev Dr Paul Wilcock (pictured) heads the University’s Arms and Armour Research Institute and is noted for his knowledge of historic weapons, including the swords and firearms of the Napoleonic Wars that came to a climax when Britain and her allies – commanded by the Duke of Wellington – were victorious at the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815.
The bicentenary of the battle was widely commemorated during 2015 and among the many events was an exhibition at the Wellington Arch, a London monument that is administered by English Heritage.
Dr Wilcock loaned a number of Napoleonic period weapons to the exhibition, which opened in April. It was due to close in November, but now the run has been extended to March 2016 and – with changes in the loan objects on show – it might become a permanent fixture, says English Heritage’s Josephine Oxley.
The Waterloo anniversary had triggered a huge amount of interest in the displays at the Wellington Arch and at Apsley House, the Duke’s London home, she said. “It has been a very busy year at both venues!”
Weapons loaned by Dr Wilcock to the Wellington Arch exhibition included a 1796 heavy cavalry sabre from the 2nd North British Dragoons (Scots Greys), who took part in an ill-fated charge at Waterloo; a French heavy cavalry sabre carried by the French Curassiers; a French cavalry pistol; plus a pistol carried by the Third Light Dragoons, Kings German Legion (pictured), who took heavy casualties in the battle.
In addition to his contribution to Waterloo exhibitions – including a display at the National Army Museum North, based at Bankfield Museum, Halifax – Dr Wilcock has also delivered a sequence of lectures on the battle and its weapons. One was at Apsley House, and the Tower of London was another prestigious venue.
Dr Wilcock and his Institute colleagues have examined and analysed many swords and other weapons that survive from the Napoleonic Wars, including some from Waterloo itself. The research has led Dr Wilcock to arrive at various conclusions – such as the fact that the French actually had better swords than the British.
