NAPOLEON Bonaparte met his end when he was defeated on the battlefield at Waterloo by the 1st Duke of Wellington, Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley.

Now, the story behind that world-changing event is being told in Wellington, the town from which the Duke took his title, in the Wellesley Cinema, which was named after him.

Among the first to queue for tickets to see the Ridley Scott movie ‘Napoleon’ was military historian Chris Penney, who is a member of the Waterloo Association and a volunteer with the town’s museum.

Mr Penney, who has studied Napoleon for many years, said: “The film has received criticism for historical accuracy, but I will watch with an open mind.

“Napoleonic battles were vast in scope, often with upwards of 10,000 men and horses on either side, so it will be interesting to see how such scenes are recreated. 

“Napoleon wanted to invade England, but Nelson’s navy prevented it and I hope this comes across.

“With The Rifles having recently been granted the Freedom of Wellington, I will be looking out to spot any riflemen wearing their distinctive green in the Waterloo battle finale.

“Five antecedent regiments of The Rifles fought at Waterloo.

“Napoleon was a Leo fire zodiac sign and as a fellow Leo I feel a certain kinship.

“He definitely fired my interest in Napoleonic history.”

Mr Penney said a painting of the famous 1815 Battle of Waterloo could be found hung in the town council chamber.

He said after the battle there were nearly 100 years of European peace, known as ‘Pax Britannica’, but German unhappiness with the subsequent Waterloo peace treaties tragically sowed the seeds for the 1914 Great War.