NEWSLETTER of THE NELSON SOCIETY OF INC January 2006

Souvenir Edition THE BI-Centennial CELEBRATIONS

Vice Admiral Viscount Lord Nelson

2006 PROGRAMME St Michael’s Church Hall, Cnr. the Promenade & Gunbower Rd, Mt Pleasant, WA Meetings at 7pm for 7.30 start.

Feb 13th — 7pm Time Capsule finally put to rest in Memorial Garden of St Michael’s followed at 7.30pm by a lecture by Mike Sargeant Nelson’s Funeral Mar 20th — AGM - Short talk on ‘Baudin’ by a member of the Baudin Society. May 8th — To be announced later July 10th — Video — 2005 Fleet review Sept 11th — Nelson’s Trial — to be confirmed Oct 22nd — Memorial Service Nov 10th — Pickle Night. Highlights of the Royal Naval Association. Bi-Centennial Trafalgar Dinner at the South of Perth Yacht Club, 21 2005

South of Perth Yacht Club Foreshore

Pictures of Evening Colours and the RAN band

Page 3 Newsletter of the Nelson Society of Australia Inc. Jan. 2006 More Highlights HMS Voctory

Page 4 Newsletter of the Nelson Society of Australia Inc. Jan. 2006 The Trafalgar Dinner 21 October 2005

Ivan Hunter & Rear Admiral Phil Kennedy

Commodore David Orr

Nelson’s Writing set

This bone china writing set was in the possession of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson on the Victory at the . Its present owners are the Family descendants of Nelson’s sister, Kitty Matcham.

Below left is Mrs Audrey Oliver, a direct descendant of Nelson’s Sister. Below is Mark Kumara also a Nelson family descendant.

Page 5 Newsletter of the Nelson Society of Australia Inc. Jan. 2006 The British Consul thanking Mr Sulehwant Singh for his MC for the evening — Geoff Taylor of the RNA. financial support with a framed certificate of thanks.

Traditional Trafalgar Cake RNA Perth WA The cutting of the cake by Mrs Ann Gregson wife of the British consul.

The British consul and his wife examining a Betty and John Foster sword that was put to use at the Battle of Trafalgar. On this occasion it was used to cut the Rob O’Connor and John’s G.G.Grandfather was Master of Trafalgar cake. It belongs to a member of the Dorothy Dyer the Orion at the Battle of Trafalgar. Nelson Society.

Page 6 Newsletter of the Nelson Society of Australia Inc. Jan. 2006 Address by Graham Perkins Founder of the Nelson Society of Australia proposing the toast to "The Immortal Memory" at the Trafalgar Dinner 21 October 2005

When the Society was formed five years ago it was The Speaker then welcomed Members of the Association of inconceivable that the Bi-centenary celebrations would find WRENS, the HMS Ganges Association, the West Australian nearly three hundred people at the magnificent setting of the Retired Naval Officers Association, the Naval, Military & Air Force South of Perth Yacht club witnessing the pre dinner s Club, the Retired Naval Officers Association of WA, the Naval, spectacular display by the Colours, Guard and Band of HMAS Military & Air Forces Club and the South of Perth Yacht Club. The Stirling which culminated in the Sunset Ceremony. presence of Society members Dorothy Pyatt and Helen Kruger Congratulations to all the participants and thanks to the from South Australia were also noted.) Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Bartlet for making it possible. Why in Perth 12,000 miles from the scene of the Why does Lord Nelson join William Shakespeare and Robbie Trafalgar victory are we recalling this anniversary, when Lord Burns as the only Westerners to be toasted with the accolade. “To Nelson never set foot on Australian soil? It is because officers the Immortal Memory"? Does it originate from his Captains, that and men following the footsteps of those of the Trafalgar Fleet, renowned Band of Brothers he created? Was it through his tactical inherited from them the attributes of patriotism, sense of duty genius and meticulous planning? Was it through his powers of and teamwork, hallmarks of Lord Nelson, that fostered within delegation and communication and the confidence he held in the them the highest degree of comradeship. This comradeship ability of his subordinates to act singularly should circumstances has manifested itself wherever they have migrated. require it so, particularly if they were following his aggressive Here in Perth 21 years ago a group doctrine of laying alongside a of these stalwarts formed the Royal Frenchman? Or was it from his Naval Association, Perth. Every junior officers, whom he looked year since it has celebrated the upon so kindly? anniversary of Trafalgar with a One recalls he would raise formal dinner. They thus laid confidence in young foundations for the midshipmen, ordered aloft, Bicentenary event we are saying that he too was going enjoying this evening. I would there and hoped to meet them at therefore request that all the masthead. Was it from his members of the Royal Naval sailors whom he referred to at Association, remain seated and the times as his children and whose company rise and partake of a welfare he gave every toast in their honour. consideration to and who he asked none to face dangers that (The following message from his Excellency the Governor he would not himself face? General Jeffery was received and read He lead from the front at all times and on Trafalgar day after he "On the occasion of the Society's Trafalgar Dinner celebrating had visited and talked to the guns crews he proudly displayed the Bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar I am delighted to himself in his uniform and insignia showing them that he was with extend my best wishes to you. The British Fleet commanded them to the fore on this historic occasion. Nelson was not just by Lord Nelson in HMS Victory fought the Combined Fleet of respected and admired by his sailors. He was genuinely loved. the French and Spanish. Nelson lost his life but successfully The entire crew of HMS Albemarle after a lengthy commission masterminded a victory that secured British Naval dominance stated that they would forego leave if permitted to join him in his for a century. The battle of Trafalgar can be considered the next ship. most decisive naval battle both tactically and strategically in Let us also recall the account given by a seaman after Trafalgar history. It not only eliminated Napoleon's plans to invade who had never served with Nelson but who stated that those who England but also destroyed French Naval power and ensured had and had fought like devils that day, sat down and cried like a the dominance of the British Navy throughout the world, wench when they heard of his death? Or was it the ordinary particularly Australia. Marlena and I send you our very best citizens to whom he was the first military commander with whom wishes to you for a successful evening and I am delighted that they could identify and whose exploits from the time of the battle of I was loosely associated in the formation of the Nelson Society St Vincent earned him what today would be pop star status? of Australia.” Let us remember amongst the last words Nelson spoke before The speaker requested the company to rise and toast His leaving England for the last time. Besieged by the crowd as he left Excellency and his wife Marlena. the George Inn, Portsmouth, he said to Captain Hardy Thanks were then expressed to the President and members of "I have had their hoorahs in the past, now I have their hearts", the Royal Marine Association in forgoing their annual Corps but surely the opening words of Admiral Collingwood's Trafalgar function to join in the evening's celebrations. Dispatch, "The ever to be lamented death of Vice Admiral Viscount

Page 7 Newsletter of the Nelson Society of Australia Inc. Jan. 2006 Lord Nelson" penned before any mention of the glorious victory, Nelson’s death, surely justifying the emotional "Kiss me Hardy" to be followed a little later by the words "The British Navy and the episode on his death bed. British nation lament in common in the fall of the Commander in It is worth considering the implications had this dramatic action Chief, whose memory will for ever be dear to his country" is failed and Nelson had lost his ship, and his freedom. The whole surely the foundation of this accolade. Nelson's death course of history would have been changed. Admiral Jervis manifested in a torrent of memorabilia in the form of thirty odd would not have received Nelson's intelligence concerning the monuments, some still standing today as a silent testimony to the Spanish Fleet prior to the St Vincent engagement. There would debt the British public felt they owed to the man now dead. have been no turning out of line by Nelson to secure the The man who had rescued them from the prospect of foreign victory, no Nelson being elevated to the heights of glory for his domination. The man who stood for freedom and national exploits, no Nelson at Copenhagen and no Nelson at Trafalgar. endeavour. The man who was the very epitome of the greatness In the past 200 years the perpetuation of Nelson's memory has of Britain. A founder of its security and worldwide influence continued unabated, but has probably never been as intense as through the command of the seas, achieved though through the it is today. Nelson's Column in London and HMS VICTORY at loss of his life. Portsmouth are five star tourists attractions. Of the thousand Nelson's 's acts of so-called disobedience are legendary. He was plus books written about him over a hundred have been written prepared to disobey an order on the basis that his own was far in the past five years. more pertinent than any orders he had been given by his naval or Five years ago The BBC ran a series of programmes to find, by political superiors. At St Vincent, contrary to the Rules of ballot, the greatest Great Britain. Not surprisingly Sir Winston Engagement he turned out of line resulting in victory and putting Churchill topped the poll from the original 200 nominees but himself on the road to glory. His refusal to comply with orders Lord Nelson finished 7th and was the only military leader in the from his C in C, Admiral Keats to move part of his force from top ten. Sicily to Minorca, proved to be strategically correct and then at Bi-centenary celebrations in Britain are laying further Copenhagen he entered into folk lore by turning a ‘blind eye’ to foundations for the continuanc e of our hero's immortality. The his C in C's orders to break off the engagement, achieving what most striking is the authorisation that the 27 mile road route he considered his finest victory. Had these actions resulted in from Falmouth to London, along which the Collingwood failure or defeat his career would have ended but he was a risk Dispatches travelled following their arrival at Falmouth in HMS taker who had supreme confidence in his own judgement. Fate Pickle, should be designated the TRAFALGAR WAY. decreed that a further act of disobedience was never to be A second project is the planting throughout Britain of a quarter challenged. of a million trees in 24 woods, each of which will bear the He disobeyed Admiralty orders that Vice Admiral Calder should names of a Trafalgar ship. However the greatest tribute to his return to England to face a Court Martial in a frigate and not his Lordship's Bi-centenary was the 150 ship fleet review at 100 gun flag ship Prince of Wales. Though knowing a crucial Portsmouth by Her Majesty the Queen, involving ships from battle lay ahead he acceded to Calder's feelings and allowed him navies worldwide, with HMAS ANZAC representing Australia. to proceed to the UK in his flagship. Who other than Nelson This is the only occasion that a fleet review has been accorded would have sacrificed this fire power merely to placate the to anyone other than royalty. feelings of a fellow officer? How much easier and swifter might Here in Australia the Nelson Society has forged a link with the victory at Trafalgar have been achieved had the Prince of Wales 200 years traditions of Lord Nelson's memory with the Royal been present but even more to the point, what would Nelson's Australian Navy by presenting it with a ceremonial sword, to be fate have been had the battle gone the other way? So confident known as the Sword of Excellence. It is to be awarded annually was he in his planning he was again willing to take a risk to the officer who exhibits leadership qualities consistent with because he thought it was morally right to do so. the high standards set by Lord Nelson. The sword is to be Nelson's risk taking and his grasping and exploiting the moment dedicated at the Trafalgar Memorial Service in St George's of opportunity was never more exemplified than in Feb 1997 two cathedral this coming Sunday 23 October, days before the St Vincent battle. Leaving he slackened A 50-year time capsule is also to be interned at the Society's sail when being pursued by two Spanish frigates to pick up headquarters near the anniversary date of Lord Nelson's Lieutenant Thomas Hardy, who was attempting to rescue a funeral in January next. The Society's youngest member, who sailor. He had fallen over board, and was now at risk of being God willing may be around to assist retrieving it in 2055, will recaptured only a couple of days after Nelson had secured his carry out watch over it. The capsule will contain amongst other release as a prisoner of war. Hardy with Lieutenant Culverhouse items covering the bi-centenary, a bottle of West Australian had risked their lives and sacrificed their freedom the previous vintage port that bears a Trafalgar Bicentenary label. An year to allow Nelson to escape being over whelmed in the Med attached letter from the heads of Naval, Royal Marine and by a superior force, following the SABRINA engagement. Wrens Associations and the Nelson Society will invite their Nelson's immediate decision was "I will not lose Hardy" The successors in 2055 to participate in toast to his Lordship, as we Spaniards seeing Nelson's action, reacted similarly, thinking that are about to do now ourselves. I therefore invite our Honoured he had support of other ships beyond their horizon. Nelson was Guest, The British Consul General Mr Stewart Gregson and thus able to recover Hardy. Mrs Gregson, to rise with the company and drink silently, as This event indicates the deep rooted comradeship that existed tradition decrees, "To the Immortal Memory of Vice Admiral between them and which was to continue to the time of Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson KB."

Page 8 Newsletter of the Nelson Society of Australia Inc. Jan. 2006 THE VICE ADMIRAL VISCOUNT LORD NELSON K.B., SWORD OF EXCELLENCENCE. AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP

The Nelson Society of Australia (Inc) suggested to the Royal Australian Navy the implementation of an award. The original concept was to present the sword as an award for tactician's (Principle Warfare Officers) in the West Australian Area. However on approaching Chief of Navy for approval to introduce such an award, the Navy suggested that the award may be better directed at leadership-in-general, and broadened to include the whole fleet. We concurred, and the project commenced.

To this end it was stipulated that each annual presentation of this award was to be at our Memorial Service on or near the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The Navy concurred in this requirement.

The modified Naval Officers Ceremonial Sword featuring in this award was presented to the Senior Naval Officer West Australian Area and Commander Australian Submarine Group, Commodore Rick Shalders, at our bi-centennial Memorial Service held in St Georges Cathedral on Sunday 23rd October 2005 and is currently and permanently housed in a secure display case in the Wardroom Mess, HMAS Stirling. WA

Currently the Navy are establishing the criteria for this particular award. This is a prerequisite to the drafting of a 'Certificate of Excellence' in the form of a parchment scroll to be designed jointly by the Society and the RAN, but which will be the responsibility of the Society to produce for each annual presentation.

This certificate should be highly prized and a permanent personal record of the award of the 'Sword of Excellence' for each recipient. Prior to presentation to the nominated recipient the sword blade will be engraved with his/her Rank, Name and Year of award. This engraving will be an RAN responsibility. The sword will always be kept in a display case in HMAS Stirling.

The procurement of the sword with its accoutrements and its secure display case, plus other incidentals including, identification plates for the display cases, provision of a suitably engraved gold plated sterling silver attachment to the hand guard of the sword, and the burnishing of the sword blade, were all donated by Mr Peter Bartlett, Managing Director of Barminco Limited, the largest privately owned and operated Underground Mining Company in Australia. Ron Ingham

The idea of making a Sword of Excellence and also the Bi-centennial Nelson Port The Sword of Excellence was initiated and followed through from their inception by Ron Ingham. A great job well done! Page 9 Newsletter of the Nelson Society of Australia Inc. Jan. 2006