I decided make a figure of Corporal John Shaw of the 2nd Life Guards at Waterloo 18th June 1815 with the 200 anniversary of Waterloo coming up next year.
I am just in the early stages of sculpting the figure and horse. I have used several Historex horses halves to produce the recoiling pose and in the process of re sculpting the neck. I used a 2mm plastic shim to pack out the width of the horse , with Historex horses being quite thin.I have started the horse furniture but am trying to find more information on that. For the figure I have used the Airfix collector series Life Guards helmet,but have carved it back and hollowed it out with quite a bit of re sculpting being started ,for the legs I have used the Airfix Life Guards legs for the basic shape and carved them back for re sculpting to look more natural and fit to the saddle. I have managed to find some reference on the Life guards of 1815 but if anyone out there has anymore good pictures of the Life Guards at Waterloo and their horse furniture it would be much appreciated,I want to make my figure as accurate as possible
John Shaw joined the 2nd Life Guards in 1807 at the age of 18 years as a private, he was a large man of the time just over 6ft tall and 15 stone. Through his education and good conduct he was quickly promoted to corporal (a rank in the Household Cavalry equivalent to sergeant). Shaw’s fame arose from another quarter. Before joining the Life Guards Shaw had boxed and defeated a much larger man, and received encouragement from the Legendary prize fighter James Belcher who was present at the event . Shaw made his make as a boxer very quickly and even defeated the celebrated American boxer Molyneaux.
It is at Waterloo June 18th 1815 that I have decided to create my figure of Corporal John Shaw. Close to The farm House of La Haye Sainte where The British Life Guards clashed with the French Cuirassiers is where I have portrayed my model of Corporal John Shaw. With Shaws upper body strength as a boxer and enormous stature he could wield his heavy cavalry sabre swiftly, it is reported of Shaw to have been seen slashing and hacking so rapidly that he unsaddled no fewer than nine Cuirassier ,or at least that’s what was said after the battle.But as he fought,a Cuirassier withdrew a little distance from the melee,raised his short carbine and shot Shaw off his horse. Shaw managed to drag himself to the the wall of La Haye Sainte were he died of loss of blood.I hope my figure will pay some small tribute to this brave British soldier.

Looking realy good how did you fit the historex helmet?

Great stuff. Good to read the details of corporal Shaw’s part in the battle, too.

Jeff

Hi John,
I like the way you do the conversions with green stuff.
As always you make a great job
Pascal

watching with great interest. I like your subject. It is looking good so far.

Love it john,the sculpting looks great,looking forward to following this one

Very, very good work so far.

Marc

Your sculpting has achieved a very dynamic pose.
Looking forward to seeing this progress.

Andrew

Bery dynamic pose. I really like !

Great idea and tribute. I like the dynamic pose you achieved with your sculpting. Will follow your progress closely.

A good start on a very interesting subject John.
Have you seen this? http://waterlooassociation.org.uk/files/Download/Cossal0001.pdf

Roger.

Good find Roger, I enjoyed reading the story

great start !

I workmate of mine lives nearby and told me about it Billy, it's nice to see Shaw being depicted in miniature.

Roger.

It's really a good job. Well. Done

True, I'm looking forward to watching this progress. Looking good so far John

Hey mate, looking great. You have done a lot since I last saw it. Thanks for the Background info and pics. All saved for later. Love the idea of a tribute for the 2ooth anniversary esp of such a brave heroic fella.

Can't waith to see more,gotta get my thinking cap on now......

Nice work indeed looking forward to seeing the end result well done so far.

ian

Thanks Daniel, I used the Airfix collectors series Life Guard helmet. I hollowed it out and used a spare historex head which i had to cut back the top of the head to fit into the helmet.I am re working both the head and helmet, I use a mixture of Duro epoxy putty and Aves epoxy sculp.
Regards,John

John, Nice job on a subject near and dear to my heart-Waterloo! I will look forward to following your progress. Thanks for sharing.

Happy Holidays, Terry Martin-Member of the AMFS