FOR a group of veterans from across Oxfordshire it was too good an opportunity to miss.

Former soldiers from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, which became the Royal Green Jackets and is now The Rifles, travelled to Belgium to watch a re-enactment marking the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.

Major Terry Roper, chairman of the Oxford branch of the Royal Green Jackets, was in a group of 16 ex-Green Jackets watching the drama unfold on Saturday.

He and fellow veterans were keen to make the trip because of the important part played in the battle by soldiers from the county – the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry.

Mr Roper, of Oxford, said: “It was well worth the trip and it was very moving to witness the battle re-enactment.

“In the re-enactment you clearly see the part played by the 52nd – that was well portrayed.

“There were more than 6,000 people taking part and they had come from across the world.”

The group left on Friday and came back on Sunday.

Maj Roper added: “We were made very welcome by our Belgian hosts in Brussels.

“We met people from around the globe who were part of the re-enactment and it’s a trip I will never forget. You got a real adrenaline rush because everything was so realistic – it was a spectacular show and the costumes were so authentic.

“Some of those taking part were dressed as followers of the camp and all the re-enactors added to the atmosphere.

“You had to buy food with tokens that represented the coinage of the time which was fun.

“The re-enactment should ensure the part played by the 52nd is remembered for a long time to come.”

Historians have recorded how the 52nd helped to play a “tremendous part” at the climax of the battle, charging Napoleon’s Imperial Guard.

Roy Bailey, a former soldier in the Ox and Bucks, was with the party of veterans from Oxfordshire.

He said: “It was an amazing trip – as memorable and enjoyable in its own way as was Pegasus Bridge (D-Day commemorations) last year.

“We saw and experienced almost everything we had planned, and we met people from Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria and Asian countries.

“Ignorance of each other’s languages proved no bar to communication.

“Everyone was united in an interest in the events of 200 years ago and a desire for co-operation and comradeship.”

The Battle of Waterloo took place on June 18, 1815, and marked the final defeat of French leader Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered large parts of Europe in the early 19th century.

In the intense battle, Napoleon’s forces were defeated by British and Prussians in an alliance led by the Duke of Wellington.