This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33080914
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Battle of Waterloo memorial unveiled at London station | Battle of Waterloo memorial unveiled at London station |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Britain's first memorial remembering soldiers who died in the Battle of Waterloo has been unveiled at the London station that shares its name. | |
| It marks the 200th anniversary of the battle which saw allied forces conquer the French emperor Napoleon. | It marks the 200th anniversary of the battle which saw allied forces conquer the French emperor Napoleon. |
| The 9th Duke of Wellington, a descendant of the British military leader who won the battle, unveiled the enlarged campaign medal memorial. | The 9th Duke of Wellington, a descendant of the British military leader who won the battle, unveiled the enlarged campaign medal memorial. |
| Relatives of soldiers killed in the battle were among those attending. | Relatives of soldiers killed in the battle were among those attending. |
| In total, 24,000 troops died on 18 June 1815 at Waterloo - in what is now Belgium - which ended two decades of war. | |
| 'Important battle' | 'Important battle' |
| London's memorial is a scaled-up replica of the Waterloo campaign medal, the first to be given to every soldier present at the battle, irrespective of their rank. | London's memorial is a scaled-up replica of the Waterloo campaign medal, the first to be given to every soldier present at the battle, irrespective of their rank. |
| Amanda Townshend, 57, from Sussex, was at the unveiling. Her great-great-great grandfather, Captain Purefoy Lockwood, had part of his head blown off by a musket ball during the fight. | Amanda Townshend, 57, from Sussex, was at the unveiling. Her great-great-great grandfather, Captain Purefoy Lockwood, had part of his head blown off by a musket ball during the fight. |
| He later had a silver plate with the word "bombproof" written on it placed over the wound. | He later had a silver plate with the word "bombproof" written on it placed over the wound. |
| "I think it is marvellous to be able to honour soldiers who, as they do now, give their lives for their country," she said. | "I think it is marvellous to be able to honour soldiers who, as they do now, give their lives for their country," she said. |
| "And this was such an important battle." | "And this was such an important battle." |