The French Infantry nicknamed the Cuirassiers the 'Gros Freres' (Big Brothers) because they could always be relied upon to come to their aid. At Waterloo the 12th did just that with a disciplined well timed counter-attack against the British Heavy cavalry after it had charged through French Infantry and over enthusiastically up to the cannon of the 'Grand Battery'. The 12th Cuirassiers took back the cannons and inflicted heavy casualties on the blown (out of formation and tired) British Cavalry. The British Household Cavalry were so impressed by the Cuirassier armour that after the battle they began to wear their own armour and can still be seen wearing it on parade today! The French Infantry nicknamed the Cuirassiers the 'Gros Freres' (Big Brothers) because they could always be relied upon to come to their aid. At Waterloo the 12th did just that with a disciplined well timed counter-attack against the British Heavy cavalry after it had charged through French Infantry and over enthusiastically up to the cannon of the 'Grand Battery'. The 12th Cuirassiers took back the cannons and inflicted heavy casualties on the blown (out of formation and tired) British Cavalry. The British Household Cavalry were so impressed by the Cuirassier armour that after the battle they began to wear their own armour and can still be seen wearing it on parade today!