Waiting in the Wings

At the age of fifteen, William Hicks joined the 1^st Battalion of the 27^th Regiment of Foot (the Inniskillings) as a drummer in 1798. Throughout the Napoleonic Wars, they were often in the shadows, waiting for their moment of glory. Their roles varied from holding the fort against the French to acting as a decoy for Wellington in the Peninsula, participating in skirmishes and minor battles.

However, these experiences were leading up to one final triumph. Through William’s story, we gain insight into the everyday life of a foot soldier during this era: his adventures, challenges, and lessons learned as he travels through diverse lands. Each new destination offers a different climate, culture, and scenery to discover.

Join William on his journey to Egypt, Malta, Sicily, Spain, and North America, culminating in their ultimate destination: Waterloo.

A retired history teacher, June Durant is an amateur genealogist and has been a member of the Jane Austen Society for more than thirty years. Her hobby has been writing since the day she learned to write, but only in recent years has she thought of publication. Apart from one exception her works are all non-fiction. She lives in Berkshire, a mere stone’s throw away from her twin daughters and amazing four grandchildren.