Ensign Charles Ewart (1769 - 1846)

Ensign Charles Ewart (1769 - 1846)

Royal North British Dragoons. Gallantly captured the French regimental standard at the battle of Waterloo. Lived in Davyhulme.

Charles Ewart was born in 1769, at Biddles Farm, near Kilmarnock in Ayrshire. He was the son of Peter and Mary (née Falconer). Little is known of Charles's early life until 1789, when he enlisted in the cavalry of the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons ( Scots Greys). Charles was described as 'a man of Herculean strength and of more than ordinary stature, being six feet four inches'. He was also a skilful swordsman and an expert rider. He fought in the French Revolutionary wars and became a competent and well respected soldier, earning the rank of Sergeant by 1815.

On 18 June 1815, at the Battle of Waterloo, Charles fought courageously and captured the Standard of the French 45th Regiment of Infantry of the Line. This was a regimental eagle figure on top of a staff, which flew a red, white and blue silk flag. The French army carried this into battle and defended at all costs. It’s capture ensured disgrace for the regiment and glory for their captor.

Charles would forever be known as 'the most Illustrious Grey in history' for his achievement. He returned to Britain a hero and was honoured by being promoted to Ensign in the 5th Veteran Battalion, by the Prince Regent in 1816.

After 32 years of loyal service in the British Army, Charles retired to Hampson Street, Salford with his wife, Margaret. His capture of the eagle rapidly entered folklore and he spent much of his retirement travelling around the country making speeches at dinners, with his friend, the renowned Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott.

Charles and Margaret later moved to a cottage in Bent Lanes, Davyhulme. He died in Davyhulme on 23 March 1846 aged 77 years, and was buried in the New Jerusalem graveyard in Bolton Street, Salford. The area was subsequently redeveloped in later years and the graveyard paved over.

In 1938, Charles’s body was located and exhumed. He was reburied beneath a large granite memorial on Edinburgh Castle Esplanade.

Ensign Charles Ewart was a hero of the Napoleonic wars. The capture of the French Standard at Waterloo was one of the most prized honours of the Scots Greys and in commemoration of this, the eagle became part of the unit’s cap badge.

Margaret Ewart died in 1856 and is buried in the graveyard at St. Michael’s Church, Flixton.