Samuel Oakes was a Yeoman Warder from the 15 August 1859 replacing Thomas Godding (16), to his death 16 January 1845, when he was replaced by Thomas Rowley (39)

Samuel was born 1792 in Frome, Somerset, the son of a weaver.  He enlisted in the Grenadier Guards on 9 or 16th December 1813.  His records suggest that he was taller than average, at 5’8’’, and that he had red hair (one of only 15 red-heads in the entire regiment). He was assigned to the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, which was re-named the 1st, or 2nd Grenadier, Regiment of Foot Guards after Waterloo, in honour of their actions there. Samuel served in the 2nd Battalion, in Lt Colonel Goodwin Colquitt’s company.

The Grenadier Guards move to the low contries in December 1813, and the rest of the battalion followed in February 1814. They saw action in an assault on Bergen-op-Zoom, a small port between Rotterdam and Antwerp, on 8-9 March. The siege failed, and the Battalion suffered many casualties. Samuel must have distinguished himself there, because he was promoted to corporal on 30 May, 1814, after less than 6 months’ service.

At the Battle of Waterloo, as the French Imperial Guards broke and began to retreat, the French lines crumbled, and Wellington sent his troops on the chase. Samuel and his company followed down into the valley and up the other side, ending the chase as night drew in.

The Guards and the rest of Wellington’s army marched relentlessly south during the following fortnight, until they reached Paris. A surrender was negotiated on 4th July and the Allies entered Paris peacefully. The Guards entered Paris on 7th July, and set up their camp in the Bois de Boulogne. Samuel and his battalion remained there until the end of the year.

Samuel returned to England just after Christmas, 1815. He had spent nearly two years away, had marched hundreds of kilometres, and had fought in 3 bloody battles. The 2nd battalion lost about half its men during those two years.

Samuel was promoted to sergeant on 29 Sep 1817.  He was a drill sergeant, although his entry in the freemason’s ledger for 1826 (United Strength Lodge) says he was a a sergeant and storekeeper in ‘3 Gds’. He was discharged with chronic rheumatism on 5 Aug 1839, with 27 years and 315d of service. Veterans of Waterloo were rewarded with an additional year on their pensionable service. His discharge papers recorded that he was an exemplary soldier.

Samuel had the following medals

  1. Waterloo
  2. Military General Service Medal roll, clasps
    1. Corunna,
    2. Nivelle
    3. Nive
  3. Long Service & Good Conduct on 29 Feb, London.

Samuel married Ann Lacey born 18 July 1794 and they had 5 children in 11 years, Ann died in March 1869 aged 74.

Georgiana born 20 July 1824 at Westminster, she died 1840

Mary Ann born 20 September 1826 died 1840 aged 13

Matilda Ann born 1827 at Westminster died 1908 – Married a Owen Liversuch

Charlotte born 1828 at Westminster died 1890 – married a Charles Miles

Edward Henry Born 18 October 1835 at Westminster died 1916

Samuel and Ann lived in Mint Street, now called the Casemates

Samuel passed away 16 January 1845 at St Vincent Square Westminster, he was replaced by Thomas Rowley (39).