Jean-Joseph Charlier
Jean-Joseph Charlier (4 April 1794 in Liège – 30 March 1886 in Liège) was a Belgian revolutionary, best known for his role on the barricades facing the Brussels Park during the Belgian Revolution. Charlier, who had lost his right leg at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, became a well-known figure of the revolution, nicknamed "Wooden Leg" (French: Jambe de Bois).
Jean-Joseph Charlier | |
|---|---|
 La Jambe de Bois lithograph by Jean-Baptiste Madou, 1830 | |
| Born | 4 April 1794 Liège, Prince-Bishopric of Liège |
| Died | 30 March 1886 (aged 91) Liège, Belgium |
| Allegiance |  .svg.png){kind=small} |
| Service/ | Infantry, artillery |
| Years of service | 1813-1831 |
| Awards | Iron Cross, Order of Leopold, Saint Helena Medal |
Charlier was one of the 250 volunteers from Liège led by Charles Rogier.
Background and family
Charlier was the son of Mathieu Charlier and Gertrude Josèphe Navarre. He was born on April 4, 1794 in the Sainte-Walburge district of Liège.
Before enlisting in the Grande Armée, he worked as a weaver. His first marriage was to Anne-Marie Henriette Victoire Winand († in 1846) with whom he has two sons and a daughter. His second marriage was to Jeanne Capel.
Death
He died on March 30, 1886 in his house number 10 on St. Walburga street in Liège but his death was declared as the 1st of April to the municipal administration.