In February 2018 a number of students led by Dr Ben Marsh embarked on a field trip to Waterloo as part of our ongoing Waterloo200 project. The group contained students from first year right through to PhD level, who are all currently working as ambassadors on the commemorative project. The trip gave them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the age of revolution, visiting a number of museums and sites while they were there, including the 1815 Memorial Museum, la Butte du Lion, Hougoumont and the National Army Museum in Brussels.
PhD Student Megan King shares her experience:
“Standing on top of the Mound, I was able to look out, recalling Dr. Bowman’s illustration of the battle, and truly appreciate the efforts and the tenacity that both sides brought to the table during this immense clash. Afterward, a short stroll to Hougoumont provided the group with an intriguing and endearing account of Britain’s successful endeavour to prevent the property from falling into Napoleon’s hands. As a historian with rather limited experience but quite high interest in military history, I was baffled by the fact that some 26,000 troops engaged in the fight for Hougoumont and its surrounding area. To say that the second day of our excursion left an impression would be an absolute understatement […] After such an informative weekend, I genuinely cannot believe how little I knew about the Napoleonic Wars a few days prior, and I am exciting to continue learning about the conflicts independently.”
First year student Ben Barrett said:
“As a first year at the University of Kent, the trip was so much better than anything I had experienced formally in education. Over the course of the four days we visited a total of six museums, each with their own appeal and important insight on history […] Overall the experience at Waterloo was one I will certainly not forget any time soon. It not only gave myself and the other students that I have spoken to since an insight into the horrors and historical significance of the Battle of Waterloo and the Napoleonic Wars as a whole, it was a lovely experience and gave the students and lecturers involved in the Age of Revolution project a chance to bond. I immensely enjoyed the trip and am looking forward to working with and for the Age of Revolution project in the future.”
