British Billy's Great Britons: Lord Horatio Nelson (1758-1805)

  • Published
  • By British Billy
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Alongside our national anthem, we Britons also sing the patriotic and stirring song, "Rule, Britannia!" If you don't know it, I am sure one of my fellow patriots will sing you a verse or two, if you ask politely.

                           "Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves! 
                            Britons never, never, never shall be slaves."

Britain has always been a proud sea-faring nation with more than our fair share of maritime heroes. There is none of whom we are prouder than Lord Horatio Nelson. Born at Burnham Thorpe near Norwich in 1758, we can consider him a local hero too. Norfolk is often referred to as Nelson's County.

If you haven't already been down to visit London, then it is about time you did. The traditional tourist trail should really include Trafalgar Square where you can see our nation's memorial to the most inspiring leader the British Navy ever had. Nelson's Column, erected in 1840, stands 170 feet high and is crowned with a statue of Nelson on the top. To see Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory, you need to travel a little further afield to Portsmouth on the south coast of England and to the historic dockyard.

Incidentally, don't feed the pigeons in Trafalgar Square. It's now illegal and subject to a fine, as pigeon droppings have caused up to £140,000 damage to Nelson's Column and the square. As you can imagine, I am not a huge fan of pigeons either.

However, back to our hero. Mere pigeons would not have thwarted him. A naval captain before he was 21, a household name throughout most of Europe at 39 and killed in action just weeks after his 47th birthday, he lived a colourful and crowded life.
As a commander, he was known for bold action and the occasional disregard of orders from his seniors. Losing an eye in battle, and a few years later his right arm, served only to heighten his daring and determination. This defiance brought him victories against the Spanish off Cape Vincent in 1797, and at the Battle of Copenhagen four years later, where he ignored orders to cease action by putting his telescope to his blind eye and claiming he couldn't seen the signal to withdraw.

Nelson was also a brilliant tactician and always able to surprise his enemies by audacious tactics. At the Battle of the Nile in 1798, his daring and courage completely overwhelmed the French when he sailed his ships between the shore and the French fleet. The French guns that faced the shore were not ready for action, as it was believed Nelson could not possibly attack from that position. Nelson was created Baron Nelson of the Nile by a grateful country after this stunning victory.

In 1803, war broke out again with the French, and for many months Nelson was on watch in the Mediterranean. Oct. 20, 1805, the French and Spanish fleets put to sea, and off the southern coast of Spain the Battle of Trafalgar took place. This was to be Nelson's last and most famous victory.

Before the battle, Nelson sent his famous signal to the fleet: "England expects that every man will do his duty". It was at the height of the battle that Nelson was shot as he paced the deck of his ship, HMS Victory. He was greatly loved by his men, taking a close personal interest in their needs and welfare. It is scarcely surprising then, that when the news of his death spread through the British fleet after Trafalgar, many of his men broke down and cried. His body was preserved in a cask of brandy and transported back to England where he was given a state funeral.

Britannia may no longer rule the waves as she once did, but Britons continue to be enormously proud of our naval heritage and of one of our very finest citizens, Lord Horatio Nelson.