Memorial unveiled to Admiral Cornwallis

Admiral the Hon Sir William Cornwallis (1744-1819) settled and lived at Newlands Manor, Milford on Sea from 1800. He was one of England’s most renowned admirals, a friend of Lord Nelson, and with a long and distinguished Royal Navy career he is particularly remembered for frustrating Napoleon’s plans to invade England.

In October 2013, the Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society and the 1805 Club, embarked on a mission to find Admiral Cornwallis's grave, and this led to the 'Cornwallis Remembered' project and celebrations. 

After much work to commemorate one of Milford on Sea's famous sons, 'Cornwallis Remembered' culminated last week, when a memorial was laid as permanent tribute to Admiral Cornwallis at St Ann’s Church in Portsmouth Dockyard. 

Those in attendance included Chris Hobby, chairman of the Cornwallis Remembered project, and historian, Barry Jolly of  the Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society (MOSHRS).

To read more in the A&T, please click here.

Photos by Paul French

About 'Cornwallis Remembered'

The 'Cornwallis Remembered' project had started in October 2013, when the 1805 Club contacted Milford on Sea Historical Record Society (MOSHRS) as they understood that Admiral Cornwallis was buried in Milford churchyard but "the grave had been lost".

However, according to his biographer George Cornwallis West, the Admiral had left instructions that he was to be ‘buried at Milford near Captain Whitby’ also that no tomb-stone or any kind of memorial was to be erected in his memory. 

Memorial to Admiral Cornwallis
All Saints Church
Milford on Sea

This last injunction Mrs Whitby obeyed to the letter. 

However, Mrs Whitby’s daughter, Theresa West, later erected a memorial in the church to the Admiral and her parents and the inscription confirms that all three were “in the same vault at the western end of this churchyard”.

All Saints Church, in Milford on Sea still has the memorial to Admiral Cornwallis, Captain John Whitby and Mrs M A T Whitby which was erected by Mrs West in 1852. 

So to find the Admiral’s grave it was necessary to find Captain Whitby’s grave. The general area was known, although the grave was not immediately identifiable.

Early in 2014 one of the members of the Society chanced to look at the ledger on the grave outside the vestry door. Despite the wording being very worn, the low sun caught it at just the right angle and some of the wording could be made out. After researching safe methods of highlighting the inscription on the ledger, the first of which was inconclusive, the inscription was finally revealed.

The Admiral’s grave had been found.

In May 2014 it was proposed that MOSHRS together with The 1805 Club, and with church agreement, should erect some form of identification for the Admiral's grave. MOSHRS members were informed in Spring 2015 about a proposal to conserve the Cornwallis/Whitby grave ledger and repair the memorial to Rear Admiral John Peyton who served at the same time as Cornwallis; re-siting the memorial when it was returned from repair. Faculty approval from the church had been received in autumn 2016 and permission to proceed was received in March 2017. Donations were sought and received to complete this work.

Further research into the careers of Cornwallis and Whitby caused the Society to realise that there was a very important story to be told about the achievements of Admiral Cornwallis. This in turn led to the determination to prepare a commemoration of Cornwallis on the 200th anniversary of his death – and so “Cornwallis Remembered 1819-2019” was born.

In July 2019, hundreds of villagers and invited dignitaries enjoyed the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations which took place across Milford on Sea to mark the 200th anniversary of the admiral's passing.

Prior to the village celebrations a Cornwallis stained glass window was installed in All Saints' Church on Wednesday 5th June 2019.

The stained glass window was paid for by an anonymous donor and Milford on Sea Historical Record Society were involved in the design and wording of the details on the glass. 

The window was by crafted and installed by Steve Sherriff Stained Glass Specialist. It is now sits gloriously commemorating the Three Admirals and Captain John Whitby.

On Friday 5th July 2019, All Saints' Church, Milford on Sea held a service conducted by the Bishop of Basingstoke with Senior representatives from Hampshire, the Royal Navy, the 1805 Club and Milford on Sea Historical Record Society attending.

There was also a re-dedication to the newly rediscovered Cornwallis grave and Peyton memorial.

The same day, a village Celebration of the Cornwallis Story was held on the village green with a host of attractions and activities, including the two horse post-chaise with riders in full costume. 

Christopher Beeton

 (Senior village resident)

& Post Chaise

The 'News of Trafalgar by Post-Chaise' visited the village school and then proceeded to the church service which was followed by a recreation of the arrival of the news of Nelson’s death and victory at Trafalgar by post-chaise. 

The two horse post-chaise then moved to the village green where there was a variety of live music, the Total Voice Chamber Choir performed, a Royal Navy marching display, Royal Navy and Trafalgar Way stands and refreshments provided by local village groups including the Primary School and Royal Navy Catering. 

Also, as part of the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations there was...

A Commemorative Dinner held on Saturday 6th July 2019 in the Cornwallis Suite of South Lawn Hotel, Milford on Sea with a leading naval historian as the guest speaker. 

There was a Command of the Seas! Exhibition at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington.

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society published a commemorative Bicentenary Edition of its Occasional Magazine with articles on Cornwallis, Man and Peyton.

A Royal Navy training boat of the P2000 Archer Class attended Lymington port on the 5th July. 

And there was a Wooden World educational workshops run by The 1805 Club at Milford on Sea Primary School.

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The Admirals’ Heritage Trail

Illustration by
Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge

As a lasting resource, a heritage trail has been established from Hurst Castle, through Milford on Sea and surrounding towns and villages, then on to Bucklers Hard and Calshot Castle.

Admiral Cornwallis
by Shaun Steven

The Admirals’ Heritage Trail leaflet and map is illustrated by local Milford on Sea artist Shaun Stevens. 

Copies of the free leaflet are available from Milford on Sea newsagents, Hurst Castle shop or the Parish Council office.

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To read all previous Cornwallis Remembered articles, 

Please enter 'Cornwallis Remembered' into the 'search Bar' under the header on www.milfordonseanews.org (or click here) 

To get the best & all results, - Sort the results page by 'Date'.

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About Admiral Cornwallis 

The 5th July 2019 marks the bi-centenary of the death of Admiral the Hon Sir William Cornwallis, one of England’s most renowned admirals. He settled in Milford in 1800 shortly before being appointed Commander in Chief of the Channel Fleet in 1801 and from 1803-1806. It was during this period that Napoleon planned, and came close to executing, an invasion of England. Cornwallis displayed courage, perseverance, determination and leadership through his blockade of the French fleet at Brest and other ports which frustrated Napoleon’s plans to invade England. 

Admiral Cornwallis Etching
click image to enlarge

This action, in the face of major logistical and strategic difficulties and through two winters of unusually severe weather even for the seas off the coasts of Brittany, secured his reputation as one of the greatest admirals of the Royal Navy, respected by his fellow officers, loved by his men, and revered by Nelson. The achievement of preventing a major invasion stands alongside the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the Battle of Britain in 1940 in the annals of this country. 

Admiral Cornwallis, Captain Whitby & Nelson: Admiral Cornwallis acquired the Newlands estate in Milford by lease in 1800 and later purchased the property. He was a close friend of Lord Nelson, a life-long bachelor and formed a great friendship with John Whitby who was his Flag Captain and whom he regarded as a son. After the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson, it was naval Captain Whitby who broke the news to Nelson’s mistress, Lady Hamilton. 

Cornwallis’ Grave and The Three Admirals: In recent years the location of Cornwallis’ grave in the churchyard of All Saints, Milford has been unknown. Cornwallis asked to be buried in an unmarked grave next to his good friend Captain John Whitby. This request was adhered to by Mrs Whitby, but her daughter, Mrs Theresa West, erected a very fine monument in the church, the old gravestone was abandoned, and all memory of it was lost. 

Admiral Cornwallis Grave & Plaque
click image to enlarge

In 2014 Cornwallis’ grave was discovered but was in poor repair. The Whitby/Cornwallis ledger was conserved to prevent any further deterioration. It was decided to renovate the ledger together with the memorial in the church to a second naval officer who served with distinction in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, Rear Admiral John Peyton has been restored. A third senior naval officer and friend of Cornwallis, Admiral Robert Man, is also buried at All Saints, Milford. 

To read a detailed biography of Admiral Cornwallis written by Barry Jolly, please click here.

Thanks go to all that organised Cornwallis Remembered, in particular:

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The Cornwallis Remembered celebrations chairman was 
Christopher Hobby and event organised by: 

www.milfordhistory.org.uk | www.1805club.org