IT was a moving movement to pay tribute to a Southampton soldier who served in a battle which changed the face of Europe.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, soldiers from the 1st regiment of the Royal Horse Artillery visited Southampton Old Cemetery to paid tribute to those who served before them.

The Battle of Waterloo saw the Duke of Wellington end the French Emperor Napoleon Bonapart’s hold on Europe with a decisive victory on the Belgium battlefield.

The Iron Duke, whose home was at Strafield Saye in the north of the county, led his army out on to Waterloo and defeated “Boney” in a famous and historic victory.

Yesterday soldiers from E battery of the regiment, based at Tidworth, remembered those who had fought for King and Country.

Lieutenant Simon Parsons was joined by eight soldiers to pay tribute to Lieutenant General Richard Beaumont-Burnaby – a captain with the Royal Artillery – and Colonel Thomas Gore Brown, also a captain at Waterloo.

Shortly before 11am Phil Garbutt of the Royal Artillery Association lowered the standard and a two minute silence was observed. Wreaths were then laid simultaneously on the graves of the soldiers.