Poppies, 1st World War, Napoleonic War

On the news I viewed the sea of poppies, which commemorate members of the armed forces who gave their lives, around The Tower of London.

While writing Monday's Child, the follow on novel from Sunday's Child, I have read widely about the Napoleonic Wars. I wonder how many people realise that in proportion to the number of people alive at that time more lives were lost then than in the First World War. A very sobering thought. It's also sobering to wonder what would have happened if the Battle of Waterloo had been lost.