NEWSLETTER of THE NELSON SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA 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 October 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 Battle of Trafalgar. 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.