KING JOSEPH’S CHAMBER-POT

It is not every day that you might be invited to share drinks from a loving cup that was originally a chamber pot! However, officers of the 14th Light Dragoons have taken great pride in being part of a tradition that began on the evening of the 21st June 1813 after the Battle of Vittoria where, after a great victory by Wellington’s troops, much looting took place and many became wealthy overnight!

The delay that the treasure hunting caused allowed the French to escape Wellington’s trap and, not surprisingly, he was furious! King Joseph himself was almost captured and a Corporal of the 18th Hussars fought with a drummer from the 87th Foot for King Joseph’s baton which eventually was presented to the Prince Regent!

It was said that Napoleon had presented his brother Joseph with the ‘pot de voiture’ and as such it was known as ‘the Emperor!’ Colonel Hervey of the 14th Light Dragoons ensured that all treasure was equally distributed across the regiment as recompense for being so far in arrears in terms of their pay.

I have taken elements of various accounts in, ‘Unusual and Unquestionable Service’ my second adventure for Fin and Thomo,  which leads them across Spain to eventually arrive at Vittoria. They do not get an opportunity to join in the looting of the battlefield, but do find rewards along the way. Wellington’s anger is brought upon the Troop as the title of the book becomes part of the defence for their renowned Troop commander Captain Ramsay.

I love to weave the events from diaries and journals into my adventures for Fin and Thomo and try to give their interpretation of events to explain how the soldiers on the ground may have seen things. Their adventure does not finish at Vittoria and as the closing chapters indicate they are sent by Wellington himself on a mission that will see them returning to England at the start of their third adventure ‘For Bravery in the Field.’

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