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The Waterloo Roll Call

Note 2 — REGIMENTAL LISTS.

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The name of Dorville has only been known in England for a little over a century; but it is that of a well-known Norman family which flourished for six hundred years in France prior to its exodus from France to North Germany, for religious causes, early in the 17th century. From Germany the “d’Orvilles” migrated to Holland, where the family left its mark in the person of the learned James Philip Dorville, professor of history and languages to a Dutch university, and likewise a Sicilian explorer, whose valuable book on Sicily (with rare illustrations), written in the purest Latin, is treasured, with other Dorville books, in the Bodleian Library. The professor’s son, John Dorville, quitted Holland and settled in England. He bought the Ravenscourt Estate at Fulham. M. Anne Gibson (grand-daughter of Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London), and had three sons, the two younger of whom were Philip and Thomas, both of whom entered the army and did good service in the Par. War—the former being for some time on Lord Anglesey’s staff, and the latter in the 1st Foot Guards. At Waterloo Col. Dorville commanded the two squadrons of the 1st Dgns. “which rushed into the second column of the enemy, consisting of about 4,000 men, and after a desperate fight returned with a French eagle.” In this gallant charge Col. Dorville had the scabbard of his sword shot away, and a bullet passed through the breast of his coat. Had three horses shot under him. On the death of Sir Wm. Ponsonby the command of the “Union Brigade” devolved on Col. Muter, of the 6th Dgns., who, being soon after wounded, was replaced by Col. Clifton, and Col. Dorville succeeded to the command of the 1st Dgns. Made C.B. for Waterloo. Retd. on h. p. 8th March, 1827. M. Miss Dewar, of Clapham, and left at his death, 10th Nov., 1847, three daughters, who bequeathed the High Croft Estate at Malvern to their cousin, Admiral Dorville, the late possessor, the last male representative of an ancient family, on every page of whose eventful career in the navy the word “Hero” is plainly visible.

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