This Lecture was held on Sunday 7 October 2012.
The lecturer was the distinguished BBC journalist, Mark Urban, currently diplomatic and defence editor for Newsnight. Mark has published a number of acclaimed books on the history of the British Army including The Man Who Broke Napoleon’s Codes (2001), Rifles: Six Years with Wellington’s Legendary Sharpshooters (2003), Generals: Ten British Commanders Who Shaped the World (2005), and Fusiliers: Eight Years with the Redcoats in America (2007).
2012 marks the bi-centenary of Wellington’s victory at Salamanca during the Peninsular War. Both the 43rd and 52nd Foot – later the 1st and 2nd Battalions, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry – were present with the celebrated Light Division. Gaspard Le Marchant, who was intimately connected with the founding of the Senior Division of the Royal Military College (later the Staff College) at High Wycombe in 1799, and of the Junior Division (later the RMC Sandhurst) at Marlow in 1802, was killed leading a cavalry charge against the French in the same battle.
It is appropriate, therefore, that Mark has agreed to talk on the subject of the Rifles and Light Infantry in the Peninsular War.
The event was held at The Oculus, Gatehouse Road, AYLESBURY HP19 8FF.