The Duke of Wellington: A Life of Service

The talk will capture the Duke of Wellington’s life from his birth in 1769 to his state funeral in 1852. Inevitably the story includes conflict in India, the Peninsula War and of course at Waterloo. After what the Duke hoped “would be my last battle” we will follow his political life, his varied appointments and his role as an elder statesman. His fondness for the company of beautiful women is not forgotten, some of his pithier comments include “what has it come to when a gentleman cannot give a lady a tiara without causing comment” and “published and be damned”.  We will be in the crowds of some 1 ½ million people who followed his funeral procession from Horse Guards to St Paul’s Cathedral and then join the congregation of 12,500 who had to wait for hours in the cold for his coffin to be manoeuvred from his funeral carriage into the Cathedral. Finally, we will hear Queen Victoria’s reflections on the Great Duke in her diary.

Brigadier Michael Aris CBE DL has had a very full life not only in the army but in various paid and voluntary roles in his retirement, from working for the Princes Trust to his present role as tour guide at The Duke of Wellington’s country house at Stratfield Saye. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire in 2005
Richard Bennett has likewise led a very full life through his working life in the Brewery Industry, British Rail and the MOD and even more so in retirement as he follows his interest in Heritage. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire in 2018 and is also a guide at Stratfield Saye.

The talks starts at 6.30pm. Joining details will be sent to attendees the day before.