Epic Battles: Waterloo Painting & Converting Anglo-Allied Troops

This painting and conversion guide has been created to help fellow wargamers make the most out of their new Epic Scale Waterloo starter boxes! In this guide, we will cover the main infantry and cavalry of the Anglo-Allied army at Waterloo. These suggested conversions are theoretically simple and thus reasonable to attempt no matter your skill level.

These miniatures have all been painted using, as reference, the uniform guides found at the enormously useful http://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/

British Light infantry

The dress of the light infantry regiments and that of the light companies of the rest of the line was very similar. There were no grenadier companies and all ranks wore wings and the shako ornament was a bugle horn. Light infantry battalions did not normally carry their standards into battle.

There were three Light infantry regiments that fought at Waterloo, interestingly the 1/52nd Oxfordshire Light Infantry Regiment was the largest battalion, from either side, to take the field, the regiment boasted 1,130 all ranks!

These British Light infantry have been created using the 95^th Riflemen in line from the British infantry sprue.

Dutch/Belgian Infantry

Belgian Light Infantry

Belgian Light infantry can be created from the British infantry sprue. Note that these units would only carry a single standard therefore one will have to be cut down. The partisan will also have to be cut from the Sergeant.

Belgian Line infantry

Belgian Line infantry can be created from the British infantry sprue. Note that these units would only carry a single standard therefore one will have to be cut down.

Dutch Militia

Dutch Militia can be made from the British infantry. The shako cord and badge need to be removed along with the side plume. A new plume is then added to the front centre of the shako. Note that these units would only carry one standard, so the eagle needs to be removed.

Dutch Infantry

Dutch Line infantry can be made from the French infantry sprue. Note that these units would only carry one standard, so the eagle needs to be removed.

Dutch/Belgian Cavalry

The heavy brigade of cavalry consisted of two Dutch Carabineer Regiments and one Belgian Carabineer Regiment, each regiment having three squadrons of approximately 150 men. This brigade acquitted itself well during the battle, though it is said that around the time
that La Haye Sainte fell, Lord Uxbridge himself tried to order this brigade forward, but their commander Major General Trip refused to obey, despite having led the brigade during several charges earlier in the battle against the redoubtable French cuirassiers, and was mentioned in despatches by the Duke of Wellington as to his efforts on the field of Waterloo.

The two Light Brigades consisted of both hussars and light dragoons. Both brigades were heavily engaged during the battle of Waterloo, where they carried out their duties with great bravery. Each regiment had either three or four squadrons and, like the infantry, the average company strength was 150.

Dutch Carabiniers

To create these Dutch Carabiniers use the French Carabiniers – the head with bicorne is taken from a British mounted officer.

Belgian Carabiniers

To create these Belgian Carabiniers, use the French Carabiniers.

Belgian Hussars

To create these Belgian Hussars, we’ve used the British Hussars figures.

Belgian Light Dragoons

To create these Belgian light dragoons, we’ve used the British Hussars figures.

Hanoverian Cavalry

Hanover’s cavalry structure mirrored that of their infantry cousins, a regiment having four squadrons each numbering around 150 men. Only the Duke of Cumberland’s Hussars, a militia of ‘gentlemen’, took part in the battle of Waterloo, but then performed badly. The majority fled the field when ordered forward to counter the French advance on La Haye Sainte, not stopping until they arrived in Brussels, crying that the French were on their heels. A few brave fellows did remain to fight for the Allied cause, attaching themselves to other formations.

Bremen & Verden Hussars

To create the Bremen & Verden Hussars, use the French hussar figures.

Lüneburg  Hussars

To create the Lüneburg Hussars, use the French Hussar figures.

Brunswick Cavalry

Brunswick’s cavalry regiments each had four squadrons of around 150 men. At Waterloo the Brunswickers fielded the 2nd Brunswick Hussars and a squadron of uhlans, these lucky lads being hardly engaged during the battle. Only one squadron of uhlans campaigned in 1815.

Brunswick Hussars

To create the Brunswick Hussars, use the British hussar figures.

Brunswick Uhlans

To create the Brunswick Uhlans, use the French Lancer figures and slice the top of the helmet off the model. Then attach a square of thin plastic or card in its place.

Epic Battles: Waterloo Miniatures

In addition to finding all the miniatures above within one of the jam-packed Waterloo starter sets, you’ll find them in brigade box sets, each packed with a trio of the featured sprue. These are especially useful to bulk out your core forces and give ample opportunity to experiment and add some of Britain’s allies to the tabletop fray.

British Infantry

British Light Cavalry

British Heavy Cavalry

French Infantry

French Light Cavalry

French Heavy Cavalry