'The 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards (now Scots Guards) at the battle of Waterloo, Jun 18th 1815. Repulsing the final charge of the old Guard'

Watercolour by Richard Simkin.

The elite 'Old Guard' of the Imperial Guard had been thrown into the Battle of Waterloo (1815) at the last minute to salvage a victory for Napoleon, but despite their bravery the veterans could not break the British centre and were forced back. This was the only time in its long and distinguished history that the 'Old Guard' was forced to retreat.