The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, Companion’s Stall Plate, copper-gilt and ‘enamels’, 190mm x 114mm, inscribed (Hans Baron Bussche Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and Major of the 1st Battalion of (Light) Infantry of the King’s German Legion, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of The Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815) good very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals to The King's German Legion, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Hans von dem Bussche joined the Legion on 20 October 1803 and served with the 1st Light Battalion in the expedition to Hannover 1805; in the expedition to the Baltic 1807-08; in the Peninsula 1808-13; in Southern France 1813-14; in the Netherlands 1814; the campaign of 1815 and the battle of Waterloo where he commanded the 1st Light Battalion. He received the Army Gold Medal for the battle of Busaco, was made a Companion of the Bath in June 1815, and later a Knight Commander of the Hannoverian Guelphic Order.

Towards the close of the day at Waterloo, the two companies of the 1st Light Battalion commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Bussche were joined by the surviving officers and men under Major Baring who had so gallantly defended the farm of La Haye Sainte throughout the day. Out of ammunition and overwhelmed by superior numbers, this gallant band of men were forced to retreat to the hollow road behind the farm occupied by Lieutenant-Colonel Bussche and his men. Here the fight recommenced with increased fury, the French pressing forth from the farm. Here was killed Captain Henry Marschalck and Lieutenant Albert, and other heroes of La Haye Sainte were severely wounded, including Captain Von Gisla and Adjutant Timmann. Lieutenant-Colonel Bussche was himself severely wounded in the right arm during this combat and later had his arm amputated. He subsequently became Major-General and Adjutant-General in the Hannoverian Service.