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An international team of veterans, serving personnel and archaeologists have unearthed a unique battle clearance trench on the Waterloo battlefield, revealing the dignity offered to an unknown soldier in horrific circumstances.

A week of excavation at Mont-Saint-Jean farm in Belgium by veteran support charity Waterloo Uncovered led by the University of Glasgow's Professor Tony Pollard has revealed a compelling picture of the bloody aftermath of the world’s most famous land battle, poignantly uncovered by veterans and serving personnel suffering from the mental and physical impact of their service.

Two years ago, the charity’s discovery of a complete human skeleton at Waterloo - only the second ever excavated on the field of a battle that killed around 20,000 - made headlines across the world. Now, new discoveries at the site of Wellington’s field hospital, in combination with the results of the charity’s 2022 excavation at the same site, lay bare the harrowing reality of the aftermath of the battle in which horses, amputated limbs and a lone soldier were laid to rest together in what is now the farm’s orchard.

The trench, which archaeologists have confirmed is a purposefully dug pit likely designed to quickly clear the hospital of gore after the battle, contains deposits of human and animal remains separated by a barrier of ammunition boxes stripped from soldier’s leather satchels. To the north, the team have uncovered the remains of an ox and at least seven horses, several of which show possible signs of being butchered, and three of which have been euthanised via a musket ball to the head. To the south of the trench, archaeologists discovered a pile of amputated human limbs, many of which still contain evidence of removal by the surgeon’s saw, laid alongside the complete human skeleton excavated in 2022. The more than 500 limbs amputated in one day at the field hospital were described by eyewitnesses as ‘piling up in all four corners of the courtyard’.

The charity's Archaeological Director Professor Tony Pollard of the University of Glasgow said: "I can’t think of any other site that has this combination of elements – it’s truly unique, within Napoleonic archaeology and beyond,” says  from the University of Glasgow, “The layout of the trench, with all animal remains on one side of the ammunition box barrier and all the human remains on the other, strongly suggests that the men who buried this individual attempted to offer him a level of dignity and respect despite the horrific scene they would have found themselves facing while clearing the field hospital of the dead."

Archaeologists excavating the site work closely with the veterans and serving personnel taking part in Waterloo Uncovered’s Excavation programme, which offers a life-changing opportunity to take part in cutting-edge archaeology while receiving dedicated wellbeing support.

Beneficiary John Dawson, 35, was shot in the head while serving with the Grenadier Guards in Helmand Province in Afghanistan, losing his right eye and the use of his left arm. After undergoing significant surgery to reconstruct the right side of his head and fighting to regain the ability to walk, John has been slowly rebuilding his independence and confidence.

“This is the first trip I’ve done without a support worker. Normally, I’d refuse to do things like this, but when my regiment contacted me about it, I decided to give it a try, and it’s exceeded all of my expectations,” John says, “The amputated limbs we’re finding don’t bother me – I’ve seen much worse during my service.”

Waterloo Uncovered’s CEO Abigail Boyle said, “It may seem counterintuitive to put injured veterans back on a battlefield, but it’s actually extremely beneficial. Many elements of their time engaging in practical archaeology feel familiar to those who have served – routine, camaraderie with fellow service people, physical outdoor work – but here, they’re mixing with a wide range of people, including civilians, and learning a variety of transferrable skills that will aid them in their transition."

Beneficiary Jim Hollman, 69, of the Life Guards, and volunteer Clive Jones, 66, of the Welsh Guards, were stationed with the Household Cavalry in Knightsbridge during the Hyde Park Bombing of 1982 which killed seven cavalry horses. Uncovering the skeletons of seven horses at Mont-Saint-Jean was particularly impactful for Clive.

 “I thought the soldier would affect me the most, but it was actually the horses. It just brought me back to the horrors of that day,” says long-time volunteer Clive, “But everyone here is so supportive. Every beneficiary has a story that has brought them to Waterloo. Away from home and among a group of fellow veterans and wellbeing professionals, they can start to face those memories. Our veterans are exploring the aftermath of a battle while dealing with the ongoing aftermath of battles they have fought in – an aftermath which is often going on in their minds.”

 

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First published: 10 September 2024