WIP Corporal Stiles, Waterloo

[Cannonball]

I’ve had this figure on the go for a little while now. It’s the 120mm offering from Gordon Mitchell depicting Corporal Stiles of the 1st Royal Dragoon’s with the captured colour of the French 105th Line. It’s a kit sculpted by Carl Reid and very dynamic and full of action it is too. I’ve tried to give the tunic a darker, duller red look. I’ve used a Citadel colour Mephiston Red as the base which dries a little towards the crimson in colour. I used to use Humbrol Scarlet but have noticed recently that when applying the oils it’s started to take the base colour off or dry with a noticeable sheen in patches. Still got some reins and bridle work to finish-the kit is depicted with cross straps on the bridle but when I was researching the colours etc for heavy cavalry leatherwork my references seemed to suggest that cross straps were only on light cavalry harnesses. I’m not a horse person or expert in bridles so don’t know if there were exceptions to this. I’ve tried to dirty him up a bit and will add some more mud and grime to the horse and rider when I make a start on the groundwork. It’s certainly an imposing piece and has been enjoyable to tackle.

 

[Viking Bob]

You gotta finish it now, superb job on painting.

 

[Cannonball]

You gotta finish it now, superb job on painting.

Really appreciated Bob. It’s been staring at me from a shelf for a while now but I’m running out of space in the man cave so it’s spurred me on to get him finished.

Neal

 

[misfit151]

Super work and detail..... Mike

 

[Nap]

Hi Neal

Far too many legs for me ..lol

Lookng great , some nice details on the piece ,do like the horse colour and the work on the flag

Like you I have many looking at me so best we both get painting ...lol

Happy benchtime

Stay safe

Nap

 

[MCPWilk]

First class job.

Mike

 

[Cannonball]

Super work and detail..... Mike

Thanks again Mike.

Neal

 

[Cannonball]

Hi Neal

Far too many legs for me ..lol

Lookng great , some nice details on the piece ,do like the horse colour and the work on the flag

Like you I have many looking at me so best we both get painting ...lol

Happy benchtime

Stay safe

Nap

Thanks Nap. I noticed you were on a run with the painting. Good thing is it will only make room for more

Neal

 

[Cannonball]

First class job.

Mike

Thank you Mike.

Neal

 

[fogie]

Nice to see a terrific version of the 'other eagle' - we usually see Charles Ewart doing
the business, don't we? Where Ewart's account is clear and unambiguous, precisely
what happened here is disputed. Captain Alexander Clark and Corporal Francis Stiles
both of the 1st Dragoons ("Royals") were involved in the incident and offered conflicting
accounts of events

As we all probably remember, during d'Erlon's early afternoon advance on Wellington's
centre. The 105th came under attack by the Union Brigade (where the 45th's eagle was
captured by Charles Ewart of the Scots Greys). Captain Clark initially took credit for the
capture of the 105th's eagle, claiming to have struck down the French officer who had
been carrying it, and ordering Stiles to pick it up and take it to the rear. Stiles' version
of events was different, however - he said that he had been ordered to attack the colour
party by his troop commander.

Clark was wounded at Waterloo and during his recovery became concerned that
his capture of the eagle would not be recognised. He wrote to a brother officer for
help and a regimental investigation began into what happened. Statements were
offered from soldiers who were in the vicinity at the time. Private Anderson said that
he saw Clark wound the French officer and the flag fall across the head of Clark's
horse and towards Corporal Stiles. Clark shouted out "secure the colour!" and
Stiles managed to grab it before it fell on the ground. Private Wilson corroborated
this account fully. Stiles troop commander, Lieutenant Gunning, however, stated
that he had noticed the colour party and ordered Stiles and others to attack. Gunning
further claimed to have been the person who wounded the officer holding the colour.
The result of the investigation was that Stiles received the immediate credit for the
eagle's capture. and a promotion to sergeant. He eventually received a commission
as ensign. Clark seems to have spent the rest of his life feeling aggrieved at what had
happened and never received neither formal recognition or the quick promotion he felt
he deserved.

A further issue was raised in the 1830s, when Private Penfold of the Inniskilling Dragoons
claimed to have captured an eagle which he then dropped. and saw picked up by a man
from the Royals. Who knows .........eh.?

(The Blues and Royals still wear an eagle badge on the left of their tunics).

Mike

 

[mortier]

Looks fantastic,congrats

 

[KenBoyle]

Great progress and it's coming along beautifully Neal! Looking forward to more.

Cheers,
Ken

 

[Cannonball]

Nice to see a terrific version of the 'other eagle' - we usually see Charles Ewart doing
the business, don't we? Where Ewart's account is clear and unambiguous, precisely
what happened here is disputed. Captain Alexander Clark and Corporal Francis Stiles
both of the 1st Dragoons ("Royals") were involved in the incident and offered conflicting
accounts of events

As we all probably remember, during d'Erlon's early afternoon advance on Wellington's
centre. The 105th came under attack by the Union Brigade (where the 45th's eagle was
captured by Charles Ewart of the Scots Greys). Captain Clark initially took credit for the
capture of the 105th's eagle, claiming to have struck down the French officer who had
been carrying it, and ordering Stiles to pick it up and take it to the rear. Stiles' version
of events was different, however - he said that he had been ordered to attack the colour
party by his troop commander.

Clark was wounded at Waterloo and during his recovery became concerned that
his capture of the eagle would not be recognised. He wrote to a brother officer for
help and a regimental investigation began into what happened. Statements were
offered from soldiers who were in the vicinity at the time. Private Anderson said that
he saw Clark wound the French officer and the flag fall across the head of Clark's
horse and towards Corporal Stiles. Clark shouted out "secure the colour!" and
Stiles managed to grab it before it fell on the ground. Private Wilson corroborated
this account fully. Stiles troop commander, Lieutenant Gunning, however, stated
that he had noticed the colour party and ordered Stiles and others to attack. Gunning
further claimed to have been the person who wounded the officer holding the colour.
The result of the investigation was that Stiles received the immediate credit for the
eagle's capture. and a promotion to sergeant. He eventually received a commission
as ensign. Clark seems to have spent the rest of his life feeling aggrieved at what had
happened and never received neither formal recognition or the quick promotion he felt
he deserved.

A further issue was raised in the 1830s, when Private Penfold of the Inniskilling Dragoons
claimed to have captured an eagle which he then dropped. and saw picked up by a man
from the Royals. Who knows .........eh.?

(The Blues and Royals still wear an eagle badge on the left of their tunics).

Mike

Thanks Mike, really appreciated and great to hear the back story surrounding this incident.

Neal

 

[Cannonball]

Looks fantastic,congrats

Many thanks Wolfgang.

Neal

 

[Cannonball]

Great progress and it's coming along beautifully Neal! Looking forward to more.

Cheers,
Ken

Thanks for the support Ken. Fingers crossed I’ll be able to pull off a decent rendition of the wet and muddy conditions of the day.

Neal

 

[clrsgt]

Great job on Cpl Stiles so far; first one I've seen painted.

 

[Cannonball]

Great job on Cpl Stiles so far; first one I've seen painted.

Really appreciated clrsgt. I’m a bit surprised as well that we haven’t seen more painted up.

Neal

 

[malc]

Really Nice job Neal.

Do like these 120 mounted Napoleonic figures.

Like the above you will have to finish him, and I'm sure more will turn up in years to come....

Well at least one

 

[Cannonball]

Really Nice job Neal.

Do like these 120 mounted Napoleonic figures.

Like the above you will have to finish him, and I'm sure more will turn up in years to come....

Well at least one

Many thanks Malc, really appreciated. Could be your next project after the Heavy cavalry duel.

Neal

 

[malc]

Yes Neal

One of three.