Beside that, we almost start a war because of Fachoda, but except with Vichy France, I think you were right and we did not fight each other since Waterloo.
Except during Rugby game of course.
It might also be worth noting that the first British commander in the Crimea (Baron Raglan or Fitzroy Somerset depending on what you prefer) had a tendency to think that he was fighting the French there. That might sound unusual until you realise that he
had actually fought the French with Wellington over 40 years beforehand, and in his advanced years (he was 66 at the time of the Crimean War) had a tendency to forget that he was now fighting the Russians and allied to the French.
I guess old habits die hard.
On a serious note the it wasn't uncommon for British army and navy up until the mid 19th Century to have elderly senior officers in charge of it. A combination of the seniority system and the large expansion of both forces during the Napoleonic wars meant that junior officers often remained unpromoted for extensive periods, and senior officers often held their ranks until late retirements or death. The senior Admiral in 1867 had served with Nelson at Copenhagen. Next most senior had served with Wellington in Spain, and the previous most senior admiral (who had only recently died) had seen action in 1777!
I don't have any figures for the Army, but one report commissioned in the 1840s showed the ages of all those in the Royal Navy with the rank of Vice-Admiral and above:
Over 90 ................. 1
Between 90 and 80... 7
Between 80 and 70... 25
Between 60 and 70... 7
Under 65................. 1
Brings a whole new meaning to recruitment drives when they say that the Navy is "A job for life"
