Northumbrian Gunner: Edinburgh

Monday 31 October 2022

Edinburgh - Ensign Ewart

Ensign Charles Ewart was a soldier in the Scots Greys (Royal North British Dragoons) who captured the regimental eagle of the French 45e Regiment de Ligne at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

Ensign Charles Ewart

He enlisted into the Royal North British Dragoons in 1789, aged 20. He fought during the French Revolutionary Wars rising to the rank of Sergeant.

On the 18th of June 1815, the Scots Greys were part of the Union Brigade, heavy cavalry part of General Picton's 5th Division, held in reserve behind a ridge.

The 5th Division was committed to move forward to the crest of the hill to cover the withdrawal of Belgians. Whilst the infantry held firm, the cavalry passed through the ranks and the Union Brigade charged the French infantry.

Scots Greys charge at Waterloo

The Scots Greys broke through the centre of the French 45th Regiment of the Line, breaking them up as an effective fighting unit. During the fighting, Sergeant Ewart engaging in close combat, captured the 45th's regimental eagle.

Sergeant Ewart captures French 45th Eagle

To prevent recapture, he was ordered to take to safety.

Sergeant Ewart returns with the French 45th Eagle

The Eagle became the cap badge of the Scot's Greys, and is worn today be the successor Regiment, the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards.

Charles Ewart was given a commission as an ensign (second lieutenant) in the 5th Veteran Battalion in 1816, leaving the Army in 1821 when the unit was disbanded.

After the Army he lived in Manchester, dying in 1846, where he was buried. His grave was forgotten; however it was rediscovered in the 1930's and in 1938 he was reburied on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle in 1938.