Have just recieved my second of the three Wellington £5 so only got Page to get now £5 1988 Blue Chief Cashier G M Gill Front Chariot & angel above BoE seal, QEII Rev Battle scene possibly Talavera or Salamanca, Duke of Wellington 1769 -1852 Security Thread Watermark Duke of Wellington Series D I am unsure as to which battle is depicted on the reverse of the note, from looking at it, I would deffinatly say it was from the Penisular campaign and not the later ruckus at Waterloo LOL any Info appreciated
What a nice note you have there Mate! Nice color and Vignets as well...let us know when you find out about the "War" RickieB
I know quite a bit about his campaigns but I cant find anything to do with that pic on the note LOL I am a bit of a fan of the Iron Duke and of Napoleons :smile
I can tell you though that it was designed & etched by Harry Eccleston OBE who did quite a few British notes
FYI... Harry Eccleston OBE, PPRE, RWS, Hon NEAC, Hon RBSA, was born in Bilston in 1923 and trained at the Birmingham School of Art. He was President of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers from 1975 to 1989. Eccleston is best-known as the designer of the bank notes issued by the Bank of England between 1958 to 1983, and as such his work will already be familiar to many. The focus and technical discipline that are required for bank note design also inform Ecclestone's evocative images of industrial Britain, such as the three prints now in the Kent Print Collection: 'Blast Furnace at Night' (1978), 'Open Hearth Furnace, Bilston' (1981), and 'Teeming' (1979). Interesting stuff... RickieB
The prints are actualy rather good Well I have emaild the BoE so lets see what they say LOL proberly turn out to be a general depiction of his many battles
Well here is the response from the Bank of England 'Hello Steve, on the reverse of the £5 note in question there is a portrait of the Duke of Wellington based on a painting of the Iron Duke by Sir Thomas Lawrence together with a Peninsular War scene, (the battle of Fuentes de Onoro in 1811) ' So now we know LOL it was the battle of Fuentes de Onoro in 1811 3rd of May Masséna launched a frontal assault against the British regiments holding the barricaded village, while subjecting the British on the heights east of the village to a heavy artillery bombardment. French soldiers of Ferey's and Marchand's divisions clashing with the British redcoats of the 1st and 3rd Divisions. At first, the French drove the British back under immense pressure, but a charge that included men of the 71st Highland Light Infantry reclaimed the streets and buildings lost earlier in the day. As the sun sank, the French withdrew and the village remained in British hands. The French lost 650 casualties against only 250 British losses. 5th of May Masséna launched a heavy attack on the weak British flank, led by Montbrun's dragoons and supported by the infantry divisions of Marchand, Mermet and Solignac. 2 of the 7th Division battalions were roughed up by French light cavalry. The 7th Division was saved from annihilation by the efforts of the Light Division and the British and King's German Legion cavalry. Masséna, however, still aimed primarily at securing Fuentes de Onoro. He sent forward massed columns of infantry from Ferey's division. The village, filled with low stone walls, provided excellent cover for the British line infantry and skirmishers, while the French were severely restricted in the little streets. At first, the French had some success, wiping out two companies of the 79th Highland Regiment. But a counterattack chased Ferey's men out of the town. Drouet launched a second attack on the town. This time it was led by three battalions of converged grenadiers from IX Corps. With their old-fashioned bearskin hats, the grenadiers were mistaken for the Imperial Guard. Again, the British fell back. Drouet threw in about half of the battalions from both Conroux and Claparede's divisions, seizing almost the entire town. Wellington counterattacked with units from the 1st and 3rd Divisions, plus the 6th Portuguese light infantry. This broke Drouet's attack and the tide began to turn. Facing musket volleys and unable to maintain their impetus, the French infantry became jammed in the streets and were shot down by the hundred. Worse still, the French began to run out of ammunition and had to resort to the bayonet in a futile attempt to drive the British back. One party of 100 grenadiers was trapped in a tight spot and slaughtered to a man. Facing murderous volleys, the French halted and turned, being shot at as they withdrew, leaving their casualties behind On the threatened British right flank, the elite Light Division, well supported by British cavalry and artillery, made a textbook fighting withdrawal. For trifling casualties, they covered the retreat of the 7th Division and fell back into a stronger position selected by Wellington. During the retreat, when French artillery ventured too close, the British cavalry charged or feinted a charge. This allowed the infantry time to retreat out of range. When the French horsemen pressed the outnumbered British cavalry back, the British infantry formed square and their volleys drove off the French. This was a classic case of a combined arms force being able to fend off equal or superior numbers of cavalry. The French artillery tried to bombard the new British line into submission, but they were outgunned by Wellington's cannon. Finally, with their artillery ammunition dangerously low, the French attacks came to an end. Wellington's men entrenched during the evening. After spending the next three days parading before the British position, Masséna gave up the attempt and withdrew. Marshal Auguste Marmont was sent to replace Masséna by Napolion. Wellington did not list this battle amongst his victories stating that if Napolion had been there he would have been beat.
Cool history on the Battle. I wonder waht Napoleon would have said to that statement!! Thanks for the info.. RickieB
Napoleon would have most likely agreed he allways thought he could beat Wellington But it was quite something for Wellington to have said, He was not happy with his Generals as I believe one of them allowed quite a few French to escape from the city that was under siege after Wellington had won the battle to stop the relief!!
Great information. I always learn something new from your posts. It is cool to hear about the history that goes along with the note.
Thanks appreciated but I have to say trying to find out about the battle nearly drove me nuts LOL I still dont understand why they chose a battle that Wellington thought was not worthy of mentioning as a victory!!
