- OCWGG

1st British (Household) Cavalry Brigade
Maj-Gen. Lord Edward Somerset

A Guards heavy cavalry brigade. With only two squadrons in three of its regiments it was barely 50% of war strength. Like most cavalry units it should have had four squadrons of 150 men.
It was initially deployed in reserve behind the centre west of the Brussels road.
It charged (with the Union Brigade) to defeat French cuirassiers and d'Erlon's infantry. Some troops reached the French 'Grand Battery but did little damage. Exhausted, it was counter-attacked by French cavalry and badly mauled.

Losses at Waterloo were severe - 632 (48%).

1st Life Guards (2 sqns)
Lt-Col. S. Ferrior (k)
255 men

2nd Life Guards (2 sqns)
Lt-Col. Hon. E .P. Lygon
235 men

Royal Horse Guards (Blues) (2 sqns)
Lt-Col. Sir Robert Hill (w)
246 men

1st Dragoon Guards (3 sqns)
Lt-Col. W. Fuller (k)
255 men

2nd British (Union) Cavalry Brigade
Maj-Gen. H on. Sir William Ponsonby (k)

A heavy cavalry unit called the Union Brigade, on account of its having a regiment each from England, Scotland and Ireland.
Although it had only three regiments they each had three squadrons giving it about equal strength to the Household Brigade.
Initially deployed behind the centre east of the Brussels road.
Charged d 'Erlon's infantry. Some troops reached the Grand Battery where Ponsonby was killed. Lt-Col .Clifton took over command.

Losses were heavy - 616 (46%).

1st (Royal) Dragoons (3 sqns)
Lt-Col A. Clifton
435 men

2nd Royal North British Dragoons (Scots Greys) (3 sqns)
Lt-Col. J.I. Hamilton (k)
444 men

6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons (3 sqns)
Lt-Col. J. Muter (w)
453 men