WESTONBIRT School pupils learnt all about what it was like to fight in one of the most famous battle's in history as part of  special project organised to commemorate it.

The battle, which took place on June 18 1815,  saw British, German and Belgian-Dutch forces defeat 93,000 French troops led by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Youngsters from the school attended a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo - after researching an army captain who lost an arm after being injured in the battle.

The school was one of 200 invited to take part in Waterloo 200, a project in which pupils researched an individual soldier and their contribution to the fight.

Students uncovered the tale of Worcestershire-born Captain Joseph Thackwell who had two horses shot from underneath him at Waterloo.

After the bullet hit him on the hand he rode with the reins in his mouth before being felled by bullet in his arm.

Captain Thackwell lay wounded on the field all night before walking to the hospital in the morning where his arm was amputated.

His story is now part of a commemorative e-book which Westonbirt School was presented with.

Pupil Megan Henry, 13, from Coaley, and head of history Angelica Stredwick attended a service in St Paul’s Cathedral alongside members of the royal family including the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

Year 8 pupil Megan said: “It was a privilege to go to St Paul’s. We learned a great deal about the Battle of Waterloo and the soldier we researched lived close by to where some of my family live now.”

Miss Stredwick said: “We’re always trying to bring history to life for our students. Being able to track down Captain Thackwell, a local soldier who fought and had his arm amputated after the battle, made it a very engaging and innovative way to learn.”

Television presenter and historian Dan Snow said working with schools highlighted the significance of the event.

Captain Thackwell continued to serve in the army, becoming a colonel and being decorated by the king.

He died at the age of 77, killed on the street by Indian soldiers during the siege of Lucknow. His picture hangs in the National Army Museum.