The letter provides a highly detailed description of the Battle of Waterloo and the part played by the troops of the 1st Guards Division, which had come under his immediate command. On the 19th June 1815, Sir John Byng wrote to H.R.H., the Duke of York: ‘I am sure you will wish to be informed of the conduct of the Brigade of Guards – and unfortunately that duty has devolved upon me from my respected friend General George Cooke being severely wounded, having lost his left arm. In the brilliant affair of yesterday, both Brigades have suffered severely, but I have the authority of His Grace the Duke of Wellington to say they highly distinguished themselves, that from the commencement to the end of the Action, their Conduct was most excellent.’ In addition to the letter the file  contains extensive  genealogical information along with  new details of Sir John Byng’s military service. It should also be noted that the entire contents of this file are available within the on-line archive. 

Please note that the file does not contain images of the original document, as the copyright and ownership of this item is retained by the source.