The Newsletter of The Nelson Society Of Australia, Inc. January 2009 The Australian Naval Cadets’ new ‘Dirk of Leadership’ Program of Events All meetings begin at 7pm for a 7.30 start unless otherwise stated. St Michael’s Church Hall, Cnr The Promenade & Gunbower Rd, Mt Pleasant Please bring a plate for supper. *Sun. 25 January. 11am — Annual Service Commemorating Admiral Nelson’s Funeral St Micheal’s Church, Gunbower Rd, Mt Pleasant *Mon. 9 February. 7pm — BYO Picnic at Wireless Hill Park. Talk by Ted Pitts ‘Air Warfare v U Boats in the Atlantic in Early Years of WWll’ Mon. 9 March. 7pm — AGM. Talk to be arranged. * See enclosed Notices for further details Page 1. The Nelson Society of Aus. Newsletter. Jan 2009 Our celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Nelson’s Birthday 29 September 2008 at the RAAF Association, Bullcreek Admiral Nelson and Captain Hardy!! Chairman Mike Sargeant cuts the cake with a Trafalgar Sword Ayusha from Aboukir Bay. Nelson would have approved! Capt. Brett Dowsing and Commodore David Orr Kiss me Hardy!! Jan Wilkie, Lilian Toomer and Jane Toomer Cdr.Phillip Orchard RAN (Rtd) proposes the Toast. David Bennett Roger Pipe John Caskey and Bob Woollett Page 2 The Nelson Society of Aus. Newsletter. Jan. 2009 NELSON IN BRITAIN 2008 by David Shannon Barely had the dust settled on the momentous bicentennial The service was attended by the county’s Lord Lieutenant events of 2005, when a fresh round of commemorations was and the Mayor of Norwich. organised to celebrate His Lordship’s birth in Burnham However I decided to give the event a miss and concentrate Thorpe on 29 September 1758. We are therefore officially on the following day, Monday 29 September as this was the into the sesqui-bicentennial (250th) period of Nelson’s life, sesqui-bicentennial day itself. I predicted many years ago which begs the question of whether the 250th anniversary of that I would be in Burnham Thorpe that day and what a day it Trafalgar in 2055 will be commemorated on the same scale was! Starting in the Lord Nelson inn in the village, some 60 as three years ago. Let’s hope so. members of The Nelson Society gathered for lunch. The day after I landed in UK, I attended the 1805 Club’s As I walked in I spotted many old friends whom I hadn’t seen Collingwood Years’ conference (13 September 2008), in, for a decade. After lunch, we all strolled across the green to appropriately, HMS Collingwood, the navy’s warfare All Saints for a service of celebration for the birth of Britain’s establishment in Fareham, Hampshire. greatest hero. We heard a number of experts taking us through the key The Nelson Society laid its floral display and then I laid our events of Collingwood’s post Trafalgar years in the Society’s, a creative arrangement of laurel and oak leaves, Mediterranean until his death at sea just five years later. The red, white and blue flowers and lavender, surmounted with a political and military manoeuvrings of each of the countries laminated miniature placemat from the Society’s dinner in involved were complex and even today interpreted Mount Pleasant on 29 September. In fact I was probably differently, but they were expertly unravelled by Professor laying the tribute at about the same time as you were toasting Eric Grove, a great presenter and communicator. Max the Immortal Memory! The significance of the floral Adams, who wrote the recent Collingwood biography was arrangement was as follows: laurel for the hero, oak for his also a speaker, and his analysis of Collingwood’s life was wooden walls, the flowers to represent the national colours much appreciated. Collingwood was not Nelson’s dour and lavender, the flower of Norfolk. Lavender also has a understudy as he had often been portrayed, but in many Nelsonian meaning. When at home in Burnham Thorpe ways he was the better seaman and administrator. during the ‘Peace of Amiens’ his uniform was washed and The conference ended with a black tie dinner and an spread over lavender bushes in the garden to dry and to opportunity to network with other writers and historians. I acquire a natural scent – a delightful story, full of meaning to was placed on a table with an American who had also just those present in the church, bringing home the humble flown in, on the basis that we could keep each other awake! background of Nelson. In the afternoon, we were all I had the opportunity of having breakfast the next morning entertained by the children of the village dressed as little with the best-selling naval author, Captain Richard Horatios! That evening, in the Lord Nelson, there was a Woodman, and a copy of our 2005 Nelson Yearbook celebratory dinner, at which, at the last moment (literally as I impressed him; when next in WA he promises to get in walked in the door!) I was asked to be the main speaker of touch. the evening. This I did, mentioning The Nelson Society of A fortnight later The Nelson Society held a black tie dinner Australia of course. It also gave me an opportunity to explain on board Victory. The 26 September dinner was chaired by that the toast to the ‘Immortal Memory’ was traditionally drunk outgoing Chairman Dr Nick Slope, and the entertainment in total silence and as is customary in HM ships, seated. This was provided by the Portsmouth Shanty Men. was appreciated by the three serving uniformed Chief Petty At 10pm I was called upon to make the presentation of The Officers who were at the dinner who told me afterwards that Nelson Society of Australia’s commemorative medal to Mrs in all circumstances they would remain silent and seated. It Anna Tribe, the senior direct descendant of Lord Nelson and was refreshing to have them at the dinner and proves that at Lady Hamilton. Mrs Tribe was very moved that she should all levels in today’s modern navy, the name of Nelson is still be so regarded by us, and thanked the Society most very much to the fore. sincerely. Her two children, Raglan and Mary have over the Also that evening some miles away in Great Yarmouth, last few years increasingly taken on speaking engagements Martyn Downer, the man who discovered the Davison and appearances at Nelson related events, and it is a tribute archive, gave a talk on the priceless Nelson material that he to the family that the Nelson name will continue to be led in had found whilst working for Sotheby’s. At that moment I was this way. in Burnham Thorpe at the dinner, so the report on page 10 The weekend of 27 and 28 September was fully occupied by was kindly penned for us by Derek Hayes the Vice President members of The 1805 Club, when they visited Norfolk and of The Nelson Society. Burnham Thorpe. A full service was held at All Saints The next series of events that I attended was The Nelson Church where Nelson’s father had been the incumbent for Society’s Annual General Meeting held in London. many years. The weekend kicked off on the Friday evening on a river Page 3 The Nelson Society of Aus. Newsletter Jan. 2009 cruise dinner. The riverside buildings have all been refurbished But Nelson events had not finished! On the Monday, over the years and, well lit at night, are a stunning sight, the Chichester branch of the Royal Naval Association especially the Houses of Parliament, the old County Hall and held its annual Trafalgar Dinner to which I was invited. Tower Bridge. I was surprised to find that the Paras Association also The AGM was marked by the departure of Nick Slope as turned up in force and many were Falklands veterans Chairman and the welcoming of Dr Keith Wood, who was who had been transported on board the RNA’s warmly greeted. Marianne Czisnik (author of the recent Nelson, carriers in 1982, where they had acquired a taste for A Controversial Hero) gave the customary talk, her subject naval tradition, Nelson in particular. Needless to say, being an analysis of Nelson’s letters. It has always been known it was the RNA’s contingent that dominated that Nelson was a prolific letter writer, but it is still surprising to Remembrance Sunday on 10 November and the next find that the bulk of his letters as a commander were day in Chichester Cathedral’s naval chapel, which is administrative. The traditional Trafalgar Dinner in the evening incidentally dedicated to the memory of Sir George was attended by nearly 200 at the Union Jack Club in Murray, one of Nelson’s trusted captains. Waterloo. The next morning, the Sunday, we all moved off to St Paul’s Cathedral for a special Trafalgar service and a laying of Well, that concludes the report. a tribute at the foot of Nelson’s tomb in the crypt below. All in Now it’s down to business and writing my next book. all, a fantastic weekend, far surpassing expectations. Speech at the Presentation of the Nelson Society of Australia’s 250th Anniversary Medallion to Mrs Anna tribe JP OBE. Delivered by David Shannon on board HMS Victory, 26 Sept. 2008 "Lieutenant-Commander Whilde, Vice Presidents, Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, G'day! In the city in which I live, the main street through the business district is called St George's Terrace. A walk along the terrace past St George's Cathedral towards the cricket ground will eventually bring you to Wellington Street and Waterloo Crescent.