He fought the battles of his country at Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Pampeluna, Toulouse, Cambray and Waterloo. He was the husband of Mary who died in 1872 and his daughter, Margaret who died in 1905 aged 70. In 1851 he was living with his wife and daughter at Kenyon House, Kenyon, Lancashire. He was a Chelsea Pensioner and a Railway Station Master. They are all at rest in Leigh Cemetery, Lancashire.
Some notes from his army record on Ancestry. He joined up aged 18 at Bridge North, Salop on the 20th November 1811 as Private 46, and was posted to the 23rd of Foot. He was by occupation a cordwainer )Boot and Shoe maker) From the 20th November 1811 to 10th July 1818 he served as Private, total, 6 years and 233 days. Promoted to Corporal on the 11th July 1818 to 25th October 1818, total 107 days he deserted from the 26th October 1818 to 25th and rejoined on the 28th April 1819. Now Private, from the 29th April 1819 to 24th June 1833, total 14 years and 57 days. Period with the 5th of Foot from 4th April 1814 to 24th March 1817, transferred to the 23rd Fusiliers from the 25th March 1817 to 10th July 1833. He served in Spain and France from 1812 - 1818, Gibraltar from 1823 to 1830. He was slightly wounded in his right arm at the Battles of Vittoria, he also served 2 years in Waterloo. He was discharged at his own request on the 10th July 1833 after serving 23 years and 48 days aged 40.
(From the Leigh Chronicle 19 April 1873)
We have to record this week the death of one more of the very few now living who, in the beginning of the present century, helped to overthrow the mightiest of conquerors the great Napoleon on the field of Waterloo. We refer to that much-respected townsman, Mr. Benjamin Baddeley who passed from amongst us on Saturday morning last at the age of 79. The life of this old veteran deserves to be recorded as a model that all young men entering into the world and all its troubles would do well to copy. He entered the British Army in the year 1812, and joined the 23rd Royal Welch Fusiliers then operating in Spain under the command of the Duke of Wellington. He was present at all the great engagements fought under the commander until the close of the war in 1815, including the battles of Vittoria, Nive, Nivelle, Orthes, Toulouse, the Pyrenees, Waterloo and was also at the capture of Paris. After the Army of occupation had been withdrawn from France, Mr. Baddeley served in Gibraltar, the West Indies, and several of the British Colonies, until the year 1834, when he was discharged from the Army at his own request, on a pension, after a service of 23 years. He possessed the medals for the Peninsula campaigns, with clasps for the various actions, and a special medal conferred on him for the Battle of Waterloo. Some time after his discharge from the army Mr. Baddeley was appointed station-master at Bradshawleach, and afterwards removed to the larger and more important station of Kenyon Junction, where he served the company for nearly a quarter of a century. He was compelled to resign through age and failing health; his service was rewarded by a gratuity and a pension for life, and a gold medal was also subscribed for and presented to him by the public. Such was the eventful, honoured and useful life of this brave soldier. He was buried on Tuesday last, the 15th instant, in Leigh cemetery; at the conclusion of the burial service Rev. Father White who officiated said that he had not only served his King and country in many a hard fought field, but also the Great King, whose banner was imperishable, and who had now taken him to himself to receive his reward.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Waterloo
