Adjutant William Slayter-Smith

Captain William Slayter-Smith was adjutant of the Yorkshire Hussars for 41 years, from June 1822 to August 1863. This period coincided with the 40 year Colonelcy of Lord Grantham and the command of William Beckett. Slayter-Smith had served in the 13th Light Dragoons from 1810 to 1814 when he exchanged to the 10th Hussars on 16th Dec. He remained in the 10th until 1819. He served in the Peninsula and was wounded at Waterloo. The photo shows him in the uniform of the Yorkshire Hussars with his Waterloo medal. Also of interest is the busby that he holds. This was worn by the regiment from 1856 which dates the photo after that year. He died in Ripon on 18th July 1865 having resigned from the regiment in Aug 1863. He was buried with full military honours on 25th July, the two Ripon Troops attending in full dress, armed. There were also many other members of the regiment attending, unarmed.