Other Forgotten Foreign Forces

The (438) Foreigners returned above as serving in the Regiments of the Line (in 1812) are chiefly Persons employed in the Bands and many of them are Men of Colour

for instance the 29th is said to have 11 «foreigners» of course not precised if each one was black, and I doubt for all the foreigners in the Royal Veteran Battalions, until 22 in 2 batalions, as well as when their number reach 29/30 in both 10th and 15th Light Dragoons (?)

these 438 foreigners said to be mostly blacks were presents in 22 British Cavalry and 47 Infantry Regiments, 17 Veteran and Garrison Battalions and others corps

As this was remarked upon, perhaps having all the drummers might be very unusual or even unique. However, the “jingling Johnnie” percussion instrument was seen as a piece of Moorish exotica so may be a prime candidate for the employment of a BAME individual

In 1759 the colonel of the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment, which was then stationed in Ireland, was offered ‘eight or ten black boys’ by his brother, Admiral Boscowen, who had brought them back from the surrender of Guadaloupe. These were employed as drummers.

In 1775, the then colonel reported that three of the original group were still serving with the regiment who were ‘remarkably good drummers.’ The regimental history then states that, ‘The custom of having black drummers in the regiment was continued for the better part of 84 years (the last one died on 15th July 1843)’ [but see below]. In 1774 there were ten black drummers in the regiment and black drummers are referred to in 1791 and in 1797 the colonel reported, ‘We had a corps of Black Drummers: the one beating the Big Drum in the centre was a handsome man, 6 feet 4 inches.’

In 1821 there were four serving, ‘with the authority from H.R.H the Commander in Chief.’ In an inspection report of 1824 it states, ‘Band: 11 vacancies are reserved for black boys, who were on their way from Africa for the purpose.’ In 1829 an inspection report states that three blacks were serving, ‘two have been 27 years in the corps.’ Two were reported as serving in 1833 and in a letter of 1877 three black drummers are named as George Carvell, Peter Askins and George Wise. In 1864 an old sergeant visited the regiment and remarked that he did not see any black drummers and that in his time they had all been black.

Returning to our era therefore, it seems the 29th had black drummers throughout the Napoleonic Wars. The regiment took a prominent part in the Peninsular War and were sent to America in 1814. However, they were recalled on the return of Napoleon in 1815 and landed at Ostend on the 13th June, but arrived just too late for the battle. They escorted the French prisoners to Ostend before joining the army at Paris. Although they just missed Waterloo, this seems to prove that one regiment had black soldiers serving at this period and suggests that others may have had too.

When I was researching the 5/60th I did come across a private with the surname Negro, who I seem to remember enlisted when the battalion was in Surinam. I always wondered if it was just a Spanish/Italian derived surname or if he was black. The Royal Engineer's report after the capture of the colony did list in the inventory amongst ropes, barrels etc. several hundred slaves who 'were essential to the running of the garrison' and so presumably retained.

One of the problems is that whilst we have quite good biographical coverage of officers and generals, rank and file is more patchy. The apparent lack of diversity amongst British officers is understandable when you appreciate how many were related (“And Then Came A Voice He Knew” a great study, by Andrew Prince if I recall correctly?). We cannot even use names to target individuals for further study. The use of European patronyms by slaves often extended to their freed offspring, and forenames were often mangled or anglicised, so trying to find something as tenuous as an African sounding name would be problematical. It’s hard enough finding Germans, when every Johann became a John and Karl became a Charles. You also have the universal problem that hampers any true social spectrum studies, the rates of illiteracy. Finding authentic voices from outside the officer class is difficult enough as it is. Enlistment papers often cite distinguishing features. However the use of common expression at the time means it would be unsafe to assume everyone whose complexion was noted as “dark” or “swarthy” would be those who we would identify today as BAME. I can’t recall seeing one who openly says ‘negro’ or ‘mulato’ for example (the terms they would probably have used) that relates to a Waterloo Man. Even when we think we are on to something with Napoleon’s Mameluke servant, Ali it turns out he is an imposter. Ali was in fact Louis Étienne Saint-Denis and was born in Versailles. About 120 or so Mamelukes appear to served at Waterloo, although many had clearly European names or were already noted as using an adopted Mameluke one. Undoubtedly though, there may be an unknown memoire or a story or two to be teased from the archives. There was undoubtedly racism in all European societies at this time, but there was not hard and fast segregation as we saw in later American forces. Units were recruited locally though, even if officered by Europeans. Accusations of “whitewashing” a history of the battles in the West Indies or India might be well founded. In the hundred days, even Anthing’s Indian Brigade were Europeans raised for service in the Dutch East Indies. None of this means that I’m seeking to deny the cognitive biases of my contemporaries or myself. However, the story may not be one of ignoring or neglecting the story of BAME participants. Rather there may be very very few, and of those even fewer where evidence survives. We can hardly accuse historians for not looking, the battle of Waterloo is probably the most researched and written about in history any new material, BAME or otherwise would be pounced upon. It’s also worth noting that I have interacted with many historians and enthusiasts on Waterloo in social media and other forums over the years. I often have no more idea of their ethnicity than they have of mine.

I see, well I am not aware of a foreign force made up of BAMS fighting at Belle Alliance and being forgotten.

Black and minority ethnic - it is a modern agenda being imposed on historical work, so that certain individuals can push agendas and denounce others for not pursuing their agendas. One Austrian regiment had a band made up mostly of a bunch of black Africans rescued from a boat in the Med in about 1818. Not much changes.

Dumas snr was a Creole, although his famous son Alexander Dumas made up a letter from N supposedly written in 1796.

What are BAME soldiers?