Charging Gallery

Scotland for Ever'; the charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo, 18 June 1815

Scotland for Ever'; the charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo, 18 June 1815. The attack by the Royal Scots Greys cavalry regiment on the French 45th infantry was immortalised in this famous painting of 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Butler (1846-1933). The wife of a general as well as a popular Victorian painter, she persuaded the commander of the regiment to reconstruct the charge so she could make the painting. Some military historians doubt that the action actually took the form of the spectacular headlong charge depicted in the picture. What is known however is that the Scots Greys overpursued the French infantry, became split into disorganised small groups, and suffered heavy casualties at the hands of French cavalry formations before they were able to regain the British lines

© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images

The Royal Scots Greys. The Charge of the Greys at Waterloo, 1815, (1939)

The Royal Scots Greys. The Charge of the Greys at Waterloo, 1815, (1939). Scottish regiment capturing the Eagle flag of the French 45th Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo, 18 June 1815. British forces led by the Duke of Wellington defeated the French under Napoleon at Waterloo in Belgium. From Battles for the Flag, a set of cards given away with British boys comic The Wizard. [D. C. Thomson & Co., Dundee, 1939]

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images

The Crimean War, 1854-56: The Rally of the Scots Greys...at Balaclava, (1901). Creator: Unknown

The Crimean War, 1854-56: The Rally of the Scots Greys after the Charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava, (1901). During the Battle of Balaclava, fought on 25 October 1854, a large body of Russian cavalry threatened the road to the harbour of Balaklava. The 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) were part of the Heavy Brigade of British forces which charged uphill, forcing the Russians to retreat. From "The Illustrated London News Record of the Glorious Reign of Queen Victoria 1837-1901: The Life and Accession of King Edward VII. and the Life of Queen Alexandra". [London, 1901]

© The Print Collector/Heritage Images