A HERO of the battle of Waterloo is buried in the churchyard at St David's Church and the grave is to be restored to mark the 200th anniversary of the battle next June.
Alexander Cavalie Mercer correct rose to fame as the commander of G Troop Royal Horse Artillery in the thick of the fighting in the battle.
The troop fought on the extreme right wing of Wellington's army before being moved into the thick of the fighting.
Here it beat off repeated charges by French heavy cavalry, disobeying orders to abandon the guns and retire inside nearby infantry squares as the enemy closed.
The troop later formed part of the army of occupation in Paris.
After Waterloo Col Mercer served twice in Canada where he found time to paint watercolours, some of which have been bought by the National Gallery of Canada.
In later life he settled in Cowley Hill, on the outskirts of Exeter and died aged 85 on November 9 1868.
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