Battle of Waterloo: Search for UK soldiers' descendants

A search is being launched for Britons whose ancestors fought at Waterloo, on the 200th anniversary of Britain and its allies' victory over Napoleon.

Hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are estimated to have relatives who fought in June 1815.

The campaign is one of several events planned to commemorate a turning point in European history.

The group Waterloo 200, which is running the events, said such research had not been attempted before.

Some 350 people have already come forward to register the details of their ancestors.

Waterloo 200's James Morrow said: "The momentum has picked up and we are thrilled that we are getting bombarded with people's stories about their descendants.

"One of the very raw emotions I have discovered is the pride that people living today have shown when they are talking about their illustrious ancestor who fought on one of the bloodiest battlefields at that time."

He also said that between one and two million people around the world are thought to be descended from those involved in the fighting.

Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, chairman of Waterloo 200, said Waterloo "was, I think, one of the most decisive battles of all time.

Waterloo 200 says anyone in the UK or abroad who can show their family connection to the British, Allied or French armies will then be given the opportunity to apply for tickets to attend a commemoration service at St Paul's Cathedral on the 200th anniversary.