The label on this gilt button explains that it was worn by William Riach at Waterloo. This pattern was used by the 79th for most of the 19th century, changing the G R to W R in 1830 and to V R in 1837. Other ranks had a similar design on flat pewter buttons. William Alexander Riach joined the regiment in 1811, promoted to lieutenant in 1813, and fought in the Peninsula War. He was severely wounded at Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815 so his involvement at the battle of Waterloo is in question. He was with the army of occupation in France up until 1817. He reached the rank of major in 1838 but retired in 1842 and died at Perth in 1843.
