Earlier this year, the National Army Museum acquired the portrait of a Black soldier who was at the Battle of Waterloo, yet had no idea who he was. Now, the painting has been restored to its former glory, and the identity of the mystery soldier has been revealed — as well as that of the artist.
Unveiled in the museum's free 'Army at Home' gallery on Tuesday 21 October 2025, the portrait depicts a relaxed-looking military bandsman holding a cymbal and wearing a fur pelisse, suggesting he was a percussionist in a cavalry regiment. The soldier also wears a Waterloo Campaign Medal, the first British medal awarded to soldiers regardless of rank; only nine Black soldiers are known to have received it.
Working with Lincoln Conservation to conduct an in-depth analysis of the artwork, the museum deduced that the artist (who was also unknown at the time of the £30,000 purchase) was Thomas Phillips, renowned for his paintings of the Duke of Wellington and Lord Byron.
As for the sitter: the museum is now reasonably certain that he is Thomas James, who hailed from Montserrat in the Caribbean and served with the 18th Light Dragoons. At Waterloo, James didn't in fact take part in the battle, although he was severely wounded while defending officers' baggage from looters, for which he was awarded the Waterloo Medal. James' musicianship, meanwhile, would not only have entertained troops and boosted morale, but also been used to relay commands during combat.
It's likely that a senior officer commissioned the portrait of James in gratitude for his efforts. It would have originally been displayed in an officer’s mess or similar Army establishment.
While history rarely remembers the Black soldiers who fought in the Napoleonic wars, a number of them did indeed take part in these ferocious campaigns.
Says Justin Maciejewski, Director of the National Army Museum: "We are proud to have uncovered this story of comradeship and courage, which will help us engage and inspire visitors from many different communities across London, the UK and around the world.
"This remarkable portrait of Thomas James reminds us that our Army has always relied on soldiers and service personnel from many different backgrounds, who have come together for common cause — whether to face Napoleon, Hitler, or more recent threats to peace and security."
The portrait of Thomas James is now on permanent display at the National Army Museum in Chelsea. Admission is free.
