Allan

National Archives

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

WO25 Returns of Officers' Services

WO 25/774/111

William Smith. Regiment: 2nd Battalion King's German Legion. Date of Service: 1814.

Brendan Simms noted, ‘The two light battalions were unusual within the Legion in that they never completely adopted British drill regulations, or the English language.’ [Source: The Longest Afternoon: The 400 Men Who Decided the Battle of Waterloo] I can only guess that a rudimentary working knowledge of German would be necessary?

I wonder what influence Smith had that garnered him a free commission in the KGL and then marriage to a heiress when only a half pay ensign?

Ron