Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Waterloo Medal awarded to Major Adam Brugh, 2nd Battalion, 44th Foot, who was severely wounded at the storming of Badajoz, 6 April 1812, was senior Captain and again severely wounded at Quatre Bras, 16 June 1815, and promoted Brevet Major two days later; he died in February 1825 while on passage to England from the war in Arakan

Waterloo 1815 (Capt. Adam Brugh, 2nd Batt. 44th Reg. Foot) fitted with original steel clip and contemporary silver bar suspension together with three-pronged silver ribbon buckle, light contact marks, otherwise better than good very fine £4,000-£5,000

Baldwin, January 1916.

At the battle of Quatre Bras, the 44th Foot was part of Sir Dennis Pack’s brigade, along with the 42nd and 92nd Highlanders. During the height of the battle, Pack’s brigade was ordered to take up positions covering the farm of La Bergerie. This strategically important position was just in front of the main crossroads, the high road of which leading to Brussels/Waterloo and the loss of which would threaten the entire Allied position. Advancing in line, the 44th and 42nd were surprised by French lancers, both regiments taking heavy casualties as they did not initially have time to form square. However, both regiments eventually managed to form a combined square and the attacks were eventually driven off.

Mauled by French cavalry, the 44th suffered one of the highest casualty rates of the day, particularly in Officers, where they lost 17 of the 25 combat officers killed or wounded. Praised by Wellington for their steadfastness on this day, two days later they would again be tested, loosing a further 3 Officers and 61 men killed and wounded.

Adam Brugh was appointed Ensign in the 75th (Highland) Regiment of Foot on 24 June 1802; Lieutenant, 4 May 1804; Lieutenant, 76th Foot, 11 January 1805; Adjutant, 4 September 1806; He became a Captain in the Army on 12 February 1807, and transferred to the 44th Foot on 11 June 1807. He served with the 2/44th Foot in the Peninsula from April 1810 until July 1812, and was severely wounded at the storming of Badajoz on 6 April 1812. He was again severely wounded at the battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815, when he was the senior Captain in the regiment, and was promoted Brevet Major with effect from 18 June 1815. He was promoted to Major on 14 May 1824, whilst serving with the regiment in Burma, and died on 6 February 1825, on board the ship Medway, off St Helena, whilst on his passage home to England.