James Hay, Lord Hay

James Hay, Lord Hay and Lord Slains (c.1797 – 18 June 1815) was a British aristocrat and soldier.

James Hay was the son of William Hay, 17th Earl of Erroll and his wife Alicia Eliot (d. 1812), his aunt was married to Thomas Stapleton, 16th Baron le Despencer.

Hay was killed at the Battle of Waterloo while serving as an Ensign in the 1st Foot Guards. Had he lived, he would have succeeded his father as Earl of Erroll upon his death in 1819; as it was, his brother William who succeeded to that title.

Fictional portrayal

In the 1970 film "Waterloo", he is a main character, constantly at Wellington's right-hand side. At the Duchess of Richmond's ball, he dances with her daughter Sarah and the two are obviously in love. The Duchess says to Wellington, "Don't let young Hay die tomorrow". Later in the film, Hay serves alongside the Duchess' brother, the Duke of Gordon, chieftain of Clan Gordon. Wellington remarks to Hay that he is "a lucky fellow, to see such a sight (the French Army) in your first battle". The fictional Hay's last words are "Think of England, men, think of England!" but these are likely to have been fabricated by the scriptwriters. He is shot in the head by a bullet and dies instantly.