Nelson confides

Trafalgar Day, 21st October commemorates the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, fought off the south west tip of Spain. It was the decisive victory of the Royal Navy over Napoleon's fleet ~ and scuppered the emperor's plan for a wholesale invasion of the UK. A local lad made good, Horatio Nelson ~ created 1st Viscount Nelson, amongst other honours, was a master tactician and great communicator, very similar in character to Bonaparte himself. Nelson commanded the British fleet right up until he was fatally struck on the deck of the flagship HMS Victory, at the height of the bloody engagement.

Legend tells of younger Horatio sailing on rural Barton Broad, during frequent visits to see his sister Catherine and her family, who resided at Barton Hall. A later relative, Rev Hon John H Nelson was rector of St Peter's Church, Belaugh from 1857 ~ 1872. What is less known is Nelson's care for country people around his childhood home in North Norfolk, who were often dealt very adverse living conditions and poor agricultural wages.

Nelson (or England) confides that every man will do his duty.

The original message proposed by Vice Admiral Nelson, which was to be signalled in flags to the crews on British ships of the line, moments before the Battle of Trafalgar commenced.

Stuart