Meeting Report - October 2011
Since
October saw the heroic death of one England's best loved leaders, it seemed
appropriate that the October meeting should be a talk about the man himself
- Horatio Nelson. Therefore, forty eight members and guests gathered to
hear Surgeon Lieutenant Commander, Bryan W Fowles, RN retired, do just
that. Nelson has been a hero to Bryan since his boyhood. He grew up in
Portsmouth, where no doubt, his affinity with all things nautical was
nurtured. After retiring from the Royal Navy he spent many years in general
practice in Leeds but has always retained his interest in Admiral Lord
Nelson.
This was a lecture with a difference. During the often humorous commentary which accompanied the illustrations of Nelson's life, we were treated to sound effects which served to place the audience very firmly into the story we were listening to.
Bryan began by telling us that Horace Nelson, as he was christened, was born in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, the son of a country vicar and a rather higher born mother. His mother unfortunately died when he was twelve. It was at this age, through the good offices of his uncle, Horace, having expressed a desire to be in the Royal Navy, joined the ship "Raisonable" as Captain's servant. Not being happy with his Christian name he changed his name to Horatio during his teenage years, and this is the name by which he became world famous.
After a spectacular rise through the ranks he became the
RN's youngest captain before he was twenty one. The men who served under
him both respected and loved him. At a time when the lower ranks were
regarded by many as beneath contempt and treated accordingly, he always
had the welfare of his crew at heart and gave them the respect they deserved
for the work that they did. Although he was such a superb leader and naval
warfare tactician his private life was not above 
reproach.
After many years of marriage to Frances Nesbitt a widow he met in the
West Indies, her forsook her to embark on a great love affair with Lady
Emma Hamilton. Emma remained the love of his life and she and their daughter
Horatia were in his thoughts when he lay dying during the great battle
of Trafalgar in 1805. His triumphs in such battles as the Nile and Copenhagen
were much lauded throughout the land and he was greatly respected for
continuing to do his duty even though he sustained some horrific injuries
during his long career. We were shocked when Bryan told us that he returned
to duty just 30 minutes after having his right arm amputated, without
anaesthetic, during the Battle of Santa Cruz.
When,
following his death on 21st October 1805, his body was brought to London
prior to burial in St Paul's (apparently he had refused to be buried in
Westminster Abbey as it is built on marshland) more people lined the streets
than even those at Princess Diana's funeral. At the end of Bryan's talk
we were able to view some of the many Nelson souvenirs he had brought
with him including a 24 pound cannon ball and musket balls the like of
which would have brought Nelson down on the deck of the HMS Victory.
The next meeting on Monday 28th November will be an illustrated
talk by Jacki and Bob Lawrence entitled "East Leeds Then and Now".
A nostalgic look at Seacroft and Halton .