Waterloo and a Swansea Centenarian

The 211th Anniversary of Waterloo

Duke of Wellington

18 June 2026 marks the 211th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, the decisive engagement fought on Sunday, 18 June 1815, near the village of Waterloo—then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, now within modern Belgium. It was the final confrontation with Napoleon I, bringing to an end more than twenty years of conflict that had reshaped Europe. On that field, 31,000 British soldiers served under the Duke of Wellington, standing alongside their allies in a battle whose outcome would determine the future of the continent.

Waterloo Medal

In recognition of their service, the British Army issued the Waterloo Medal, the first campaign medal awarded to all ranks who were present at the battle—an important milestone in the formal acknowledgement of military service.

A Swansea Link to the Age of Waterloo

South Wales Echo

Seventy‑four years later, in 1889, the South Wales Echo published a striking reminder of how the memory of Waterloo endured within local communities. Under the headline “The Passing of a Swansea Centenarian,” the newspaper recorded the death of William Jones, long regarded as the oldest inhabitant of the Swansea Valley, who was said to have reached the remarkable age of 112.

Born at Aberavon, Cardiganshire, Jones had served for many years in the British Army, and local tradition firmly held that he had fought at Waterloo, a belief that greatly enhanced his standing in the district. After leaving military service, he worked as a carrier, travelling the roads of the valley and becoming a familiar figure to many.

Even in extreme old age he retained a lively interest in the life of the town, and it was noted with admiration that he had recently attended a performance by Madame Patti, a testament to his enduring vigour and curiosity. His death removed a well‑known and much‑respected link with an earlier age, and his long life—spanning more than a century of profound change—was remembered with affection by all who knew him.