Forgotten Hero of Waterloo

The secrets of the Napoleonic Wars hidden in a small London park

Portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Thomas Lawrence. Source of image: Wikimedia Commons

London is full of historical secrets and unexpected discoveries that never ceased to amaze me during my nearly four years in the city. Not far from our Victorian London home is a small park called St. Martin’s Gardens. Historically, the land belonged to St. Martin’s Church and, like many other London parks, was used as a cemetery. During one of my walks in the park this spring of 2025, I made an interesting historical discovery. I found the grave of a forgotten hero of the Napoleonic Wars and the Battle of Waterloo, British officer and artist Robert Batty. His grave is hidden in the most picturesque part of the garden, near the west wall, between two plane trees, next to a wild rose thicket and an almond tree. This location serves as a poignant reminder of the remarkable individual who deserves to be fondly remembered. Robert Batty’s life and endeavours merit a thorough account.

London, St. Martin’s Gardens. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Batty’s grave. Photo by the author

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Batty was an English army officer and artist. Born in 1789 to Dr. Batty of Hastings, he began studying medicine at Caius College, Cambridge, and received his M.B. in 1813. However, he left to join…