The life of Wellington's hard swearing and fighting subordinate
For casual students of the Napoleonic age Sir Thomas Picton might be most notable for his death at the Battle of Waterloo where he was killed by a shot to the head, aged 56, while driving his infantry forward in a bayonet charge against d'Erlon's French Army corps early in the conflict. A Welshman, Picton was known to be difficult man, naturally aggressive, short of temper and given to prolific cursing. Nevertheless, he rose from comparatively humble beginnings, one of twelve children, from the rank of ensign to that of...

The life of Wellington's hard swearing and fighting subordinate
For casual students of the Napoleonic age Sir Thomas Picton might be most notable for his death at the Battle of Waterloo where he was killed by a shot to the head, aged 56, while driving his infantry forward in a bayonet charge against d'Erlon's French Army corps early in the conflict. A Welshman, Picton was known to be difficult man, naturally aggressive, short of temper and given to prolific cursing. Nevertheless, he rose from comparatively humble beginnings, one of twelve children, from the rank of ensign to that of...