SUNLIT UPLANDS: Royal Navy

Monday, September 29, 2008

Lord Nelson on the 250th Anniversary of His Birth (1758-2008)

"England expects that every man will do his duty."

Vice-Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson was born 250 years ago today, in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, England. Britain's most acclaimed combat hero, he is regarded as the greatest seaman of all time, whose daring and unconventional tactics are studied at naval colleges today. Upon this one-armed, one-eyed heroic figure turned the whole history of the world at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805. It was the moment of Nelson's greatest triumph and also his death.

Commemorating that battle's 200th anniversary, H.M. Queen Elizabeth II spoke of its significance and "the immortal memory of Horatio, Lord Nelson" during a dinner on board his flagship, HMS Victory:

"The defeat of the combined French and Spanish fleets lifted the very real threat of an invasion of Britain. It was greeted by the nation with huge relief, and it was the first step in the process of defeating Napoleon's ambitious plans for the domination of Europe.

Success at Trafalgar was by no means a foregone conclusion. The British Fleet, under the command of Lord Nelson, faced a formidable enemy, but battles are seldom decided by statistics.

It was the qualities of the leadership and comradeship which he gave to the Royal Navy in the years leading up to his final battle that made all the difference.

He was without doubt a superb tactician and a fearless and determined commander, but he was above all a man of faith, duty and deep concern for the welfare of everyone in his fleet.

Tonight we recall his greatest battle and his death at the moment of victory, but we also remember his example of service and his humanity.

Just before the battle, Nelson sat down at the desk behind me, to compose his famous prayer in terms so typical of his character:

'May the Great God, whom I worship, grant to my Country, and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory; and may no misconduct, in anyone, tarnish it, and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British Fleet.'"

The following, in six ten minute segments, is an excellent documentary on Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar. May his memory and example protect Great Britain today from nefarious continental schemes and ambitions.