Colour sash of the French 105th Line Infantry Regiment, 1815 circa (fabric)

Colour sash of the French 105th Line Infantry Regiment, 1815 circa. Colour sashes like this were tied to the to the pole of French regimental standards. Though the silk has now faded it would have had three bands of colour and golden fringe. Standards were a rallying point on the battle field, they were fiercely defended by the French and highly coveted by the British forces as trophies. This sash was captured at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). Captain Alexander Kennedy Clark of the Royal Dragoons reportedly captured it, and its standard, during a cavalry charge. His squadron hacked its way through a French column to seize it. Although Kennedy Clark killed the French soldier carrying the standard, Corporal Francis Styles retrieved it. They disputed each other’s role in its capture, but both were credited.