July 22nd, 1812. Salamanca, Spain. Wellington’s troops defeat Napoleon’s in the first major victory of the Peninsular War that demonstrated the prowess of the Duke of Wellington, then an Earl. To mark this victory the Rifles were given the freedom of the City of Salamanca in a special ceremony that took place on the 20th to 22nd July 2012.
Today a trophy of that war stands in Fulwood Barracks, Preston: The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, Lancashire Infantry Museum. One of the two French ‘Imperial Eagles’ captured on that day is on display. This one belonged to the French 22nd Line Regiment and was taken by Ensign John Pratt of the Light Company of the 2nd Battalion, 30th First. (much reduced account from the Times, an excellent write up on Saturday 21st July 2012).