The Royal Horse Artillery had the most modern artillery of its time. They used rockets and the British were the only army to have exploding shrapnel shells which would be timed to explode over enemy formations showering them with 'shrapnel' (a word named after its inventor Major-General Henry Shrapnel). Unlike the rest of the British Army whose Officers would 'buy' their position, the Artillery Officers got promotion with experience. At Waterloo the horse artillery were invaluable, moving swiftly about the field as needed. One battery of Horse Artillery thought it best to stay with their guns even when the French Cavalry were swarming all around. At the last second they fired their cannon point blank into a cuirassier charge stopping it dead. The Royal Horse Artillery had the most modern artillery of its time. They used rockets and the British were the only army to have exploding shrapnel shells which would be timed to explode over enemy formations showering them with 'shrapnel' (a word named after its inventor Major-General Henry Shrapnel). Unlike the rest of the British Army whose Officers would 'buy' their position, the Artillery Officers got promotion with experience. At Waterloo the horse artillery were invaluable, moving swiftly about the field as needed. One battery of Horse Artillery thought it best to stay with their guns even when the French Cavalry were swarming all around. At the last second they fired their cannon point blank into a cuirassier charge stopping it dead.