Napoleon Series Archive 2017

Re: Stretcher bearers at Waterloo
In Response To: Stretcher bearers at Waterloo ()

Marc, there is little data on these units, sadly, particularly towards the end of the war. There were some brancardiers present with the ambulances, at Waterloo. These men would have doubled their duties as infirmiers. Again little information on numbers. Percy originally formed companies - as you have said - Bonaparte eventually sanctioned the creation of 'infirmiers d'hopitaux' in the latter months of 1808. Ten units of c.100 men were recruited from lightly wounded men or those unsuitable to perform as combatants. Not especially well-respected, around a few thousand must have served in the Service de Sante over the latter years. Many of these men perished in Russia, Europe and Iberia. Finally, attrition, parsimony and poor recruitment must have reduced the numbers available. The whole concept of the ambulances and their support staff was very apposite but, apart from the Imperial Guard, line units were probably not supplied with these men as much as they should have been.

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Stretcher bearers at Waterloo
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Re: 1er Bataillon de soldats d'ambulance 1815
Re: Stretcher bearers at Waterloo