paints brigs for the British fleet.
Appalling thefts at Mont St. Jean and Quatre Bras
The theft of the wooden figure of Christ crucified from the chapel at Hougoumont and the plaque from the farm at Les Quatre Bras has shocked and appalled all those interested in the 200th Anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, and throws into light the extraordinary problems facing those involved with the preparations for Waterloo 200 in Belgium.
During the course of Sunday, 18th June 1815, men of many nations fought with great courage to either defend or attack the small complex of buildings which compromised Hougoumont. This gallantry has been reflected in the number publications on the subject, not least my own work on the subject. The planned celebrations in 2015 will be diminished if the battlefields at Mont St. Jean and Les Quatre Bras are not protected, and therefore I am seeking your help:
- Please write to me through the 1815 Limited website now
- Include details of any aspect of Waterloo that motivates you
- Provide any information on your plans for 2015, if they exist
- I will petition the relevant government ministers in Belgium
- Full updates and feedback will be provided to each of you
Why is it important that we celebrate our heritage?
1815 marked the climax of a remarkable period of history; a period which still has a bearing on the way we live. The hundreds of letters and journals I have collected over many years also demonstrate the frailties of human nature. I believe that to understand and appreciate who we are, and how we may live with people of different nations, we need to look back at the past. Waterloo is a fascinating and emotive subject. It is my motivation and my passion, and that is why I and 1815 Limited support Project Hougoumont.