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

Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations: John Whitby and the Death of Nelson

As part Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations to take place in July, the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society have provided this article on 'The Third Admiral'.

John Whitby and the Death of Nelson

Barry Jolly, Editor of the Occasional Magazine published by Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society, writes:

click image to enlarge

Captain John Whitby, who died at Newlands the home of Admiral William Cornwallis on 7^th April 1806, is mentioned only rarely in naval histories. His one apparent claim to fame was a letter sent to Cornwallis in 1804 criticising Nelson’s operation of the blockade of Toulon, which he said was no blockade at all. Schooled by Cornwallis in the close blockade of Brest, Whitby did not understand Nelson’s willingness to allow the French fleet to put to sea where he hoped to deliver a decisive battle.

Whitby did, though, provide two services to Nelson after his death. The news of Trafalgar arrived at the Admiralty at 1.00 am on the morning of 6^th November 1805, and was in print in the London Gazette by 8 o’clock. Letters had already been sent to George III, William Pitt the Prime Minister and Lady Nelson. In official circles, Lady Hamilton, Nelson’s mistress, was ignored completely.

Only one person thought of her, and that was Cornwallis, who sent Whitby to Merton with the devastating news. Lady Hamilton herself described the scene, recalling Whitby’s rather nervous entrance before she fainted as he delivered the fateful message.

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Nelson’s body was still in the barrel of brandy in which it had been preserved after Trafalgar. It now needed to be transported to Greenwich before the final road journey into London for the funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral. Whitby was again chosen for the task, which again can only have been at the behest of Cornwallis. Landing at Greenwich on Christmas Eve, the barrel was about to be rolled ashore unceremoniously when John Tyson, a former purser and friend of Nelson’s and now Clerk of Survey at Woolwich dockyard, intervened. The effect was that the body was transferred to a coffin, and then carried ashore attended by three people: Tyson himself, Nelson’s chaplain the Reverend Doctor Scott (who had maintained a solitary vigil with the corpse all the way from the scene of the battle), and John Whitby.

click image to enlarge

The actions of Cornwallis, Nelson’s friend and a man whom Nelson revered, and of John Whitby stand out in stark and proud contrast to the official miasma.

Whitby was only 31 when he died. Although a Captain since the age of 18, he did not live long enough to achieve the distinction his early advancement promised. He is remembered in Milford largely on account of his widow and daughter whose subsequent ownership of Newlands lasted for over sixty years. Nonetheless, the humanity he displayed in these two private, final, and very personal, services to Nelson secure his place – alongside Cornwallis, Man and Peyton - as one of the four significant senior naval officers of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars buried at All Saints, Milford.

 

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.

Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations: Admiral Cornwallis’ Unmarked Grave found

In October 2013, 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". 

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. This last injunction Mrs Whitby obeyed to the letter.

However, Mrs Whitby’s daughter, Theresa West, 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”. 

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. 

Towards the end of 2013, MOSHRS received three files of material from a former Hon Sec of the Society in the 1970s. Included was a transcription of Mrs West’s memorial and also a transcription of what was said to be the original wording on Captain Whitby's grave. There were some additional notes "Adm Man died 1813.... the position of his grave next to Capt Whitby but now beneath the vestry". The graveyard survey of 1922 shows Admiral Man at B28A and B29 as “Whitby, John (Cresswell Hall) b1784 d1793 or 1800” 

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. 

In Memory of 

JOHN WHITBY Esq 

Son of the Rev THOs WHITBY of Cresswell Hall 

STAFFORDSHIRE 

[Born 7th October 1774] 

He was promoted to the Rank of 

POST CAPTAIN in His MAJESTIES NAVY 

[on the 29 April 1793] and departed this life 

on the 7th of April 1806 

Note: The parts in square brackets are indistinct and taken from the transcript. 

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 to support 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. 

Additional Notes 

Admiral the Honourable Sir William Cornwallis (1744-1819) 

Lt 1761, Cdr 1762, Capt 1765, RAdm 1793, VAdm 1794, Adm 1799; 

Hon: Col of Marines 1797, RAdm of Great Britain 1796, VAdm of United Kingdom 1814; 

Member of Parliament: Eye 1768-74, 1782-4, Portsmouth 1784-1790, Eye 1790-1807. 

Cornwallis was the fourth son of the first Earl Cornwallis, joining the navy at the age of 12 and serving at sea almost without interruption for the next forty years. He was an energetic and successful ship’s captain during the American War of Independence, notably at the seminal Battle of The Saintes in 1782. As an admiral, the escape of his squadron of five ships of the line and three lesser vessels from a French fleet of no fewer than twelve French ships of the line and eighteen smaller vessels was a tribute to his courage, leadership and nautical skill. The episode was immortalised by Thomas Luny in his painting, Cornwallis’ Retreat. His most important contribution, however, was maintaining the blockade of Brest from 1803-6, thereby preventing the invasion of England planned by Napoleon. 

Captain John Whitby (1774-1806) 

Lt 1791, Cdr 1792, Captain 1793. 

Served under Cornwallis throughout much of his career, owing his early promotion to Cornwallis’ patronage. Esteemed by Nelson, but left to return to Cornwallis in 1804 thereby missing Trafalgar. The appalling storms of the ensuing two winters blockading the French Atlantic ports took their toll, and he returned to Cornwallis’ home of Newlands, Milford to die. 

Such was the relationship that Cornwallis left his entire estate to Whitby’s widow and daughter. In 1852, the latter erected the imposing (albeit not altogether accurate) monument to Cornwallis, and to John Whitby and his widow, which adorns the north wall of the aisle. 

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Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society 

The Society was founded in 1909 by a number of prominent local gentlemen. Amongst these was William Cornwallis-West, the great grandson of Admiral Cornwallis’ protégé, Captain John Whitby. 

The Society was reformed in 1975. In its present guise, it holds bi-monthly general meetings, whilst an active research and discussion group meets monthly. The Society holds extensive archives containing some 8,000 items. 

An Occasional Magazine is published from time to time, the most recent editions being 2016 & 2018. The 2019 edition is dedicated to the Cornwallis bi-centenary and follows a study in 2011 of the relationship between Captain Whitby and his wife and Cornwallis.

Find out more at the MOSHRS Website: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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The 1805 Club 

The 1805 Club was founded in 1990 to care for the memorials of the Georgian sailing navy. They are a vital yet often neglected part of Britain's naval heritage. No other organisation is dedicated to their preservation. We: 

Conserve monuments and memorials relating to seafaring people of the Georgian era and in particular Admiral Lord Nelson. For more information on Admiral Lord Nelson please visit The 1805 Club's site www.admiralnelson.org. 

Promote and publish research into the Royal Navy of the Georgian period, and especially Admiral Lord Nelson. 

Organise cultural and historical events for the enjoyment and edification of our membership and the public in general.

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. 
Click here for event details.

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the
Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

Memories of Cornwallis Remembered Events

Hundreds of villagers and invited dignitaries enjoyed the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations on the village green and in surrounding locations on Friday 5th July. 2019.

click image to enlarge

Many of the events have been recorded in pictures by Paul French of Southpoint Films and you can experience or re-live the event by Clicking Here to see Full Album

Christopher Beeton (Senior village resident)
& Post Chaise
click image to enlarge

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A video of the Church service is to follow.

All  published images taken by: Paul French of Southpoint Films 

paul@southpointfilms.com - www.southpointfilms.com - 0800 009 6982

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Illustration by Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge

Illustration by
Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge

The Admirals’ Trail  
As a lasting resource, a heritage trail from Hurst Castle through Milford and surrounding towns and villages on to Bucklers Hard and Calshot Castle.

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

Illustration by Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge

Illustration by Shaun Stevens
click image to enlarge

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Background Information 

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society and The 1805 Club (which was founded in 1990 to preserve and care for the memorials and graves of those associated with the sailing navy of the Georgian era) are holding a number of important events in July 2019 to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Death of Admiral Cornwallis (who had lived at Newlands Manor, Milford on Sea). 

A Brief Background: 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. 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 etching
click image to enlarge

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 etching
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. 

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

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

For further information please contact: David Long at: david@milfordonsea.org

Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations: The Third Admiral

As part Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations to take place in July, the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society have provided this article on 'The Third Admiral'.

Admiral Robert Man (1745-1813)

click image to enlarge

Robert Man first went to sea in 1768, transferring very soon to a series of four ships all commanded by his father, Captain Robert Man. The fourth of these, the frigate Milford, engaged a French privateer in March 1762 with a modest casualty list. Chief of these was the captain, who was hit in the thigh by a six pound cannon ball. He died four hours later, just minutes after hearing that La Gloire had struck. Young Robert, still only 14 years old, received a musket ball in the neck. He was luckier than the First Lieutenant, who was hit in the forehead by another musket ball, dying in agony two days later.

A solid if unspectacular career led to promotion to Rear Admiral and command of a squadron off neutral Cadiz. Misfortune led to misfortune: his quarry – a French squadron under Richery – came out but accompanied by a large, and no longer neutral, Spanish fleet. 

Starved of supplies, unable to re-join Jervis and the Mediterranean Fleet, and with promises of support from home unfulfilled, he returned to England. His actions were misunderstood by Nelson (who otherwise regarded him highly), and seized upon by Jervis, forced to leave the Mediterranean because of a lack of a suitable base, who was eager for a scapegoat. Calmer minds prevailed at the Admiralty where he was appointed as a Lord Commissioner, one of the seven wise men who directed the operations of the navy as a whole. 

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His career, along with many others, ended when Jervis was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty on the fall of Pitt in 1801. He died at Pennington House an Admiral of the Red, and was buried in modest fashion – as per his will – at Milford in 1813.

   

click image to enlarge

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.

Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations: The News of Trafalgar

As part Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations to take place in July, the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society have provided this article on 'Trafalgar, Pickle and Post Chaise'.

Five days after the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805, Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood ordered Lt John Richards Lapenotiere to sail his fast schooner HMS Pickle to deliver his Dispatch, to William Marsden, Secretary of the Navy, at the Admiralty in Whitehall, London. This was the first news to be sent home about victory at the battle and the death of Lord Nelson. 

HMS PICKLE
Picture by Royal Navy
click image to enlarge

During a gruelling voyage across the Bay of Biscay, Pickle started leaking and guns had to be jettisoned to lighten her. Lapenotiere finally reached the Western Approaches of the English Channel on 2nd November. Instead of heading for Plymouth, Lapenotiere decided to land at Falmouth, which had good coaching connections with London. 

Dropping anchor two miles south of Pendennis Head, Lapenotiere was taken by boat and landed at Fish Strand Quay in Falmouth. Seeking transport, he left Falmouth by post-chaise and made at least 21 stops, changing horses every 10 to 15 miles along the 271-mile route. He stopped at coaching inns at Truro, Fraddon, Bodmin, Launceston, Okehampton, Crockernwell, Exeter, Honiton, Axminster, Bridport, Dorchester, Blandford Forum, Woodyates, Salisbury, Andover, Overton, Basingstoke, Hartfordbridge, Bagshot, Staines and Hounslow. 

At some stops, he had to transfer to other post-chaises because even in those days, different coach operators covered certain sections of the route. 

Lapenotiere finally arrived at the Admiralty at 1.00am in the early hours of 6th November after his non-stop journey - under 38 hours since leaving Falmouth, and more than two weeks after the battle was fought. William Marsden, who was about to retire for the night, showed Lapenotiere to the boardroom. There, Lapenotiere announced: “Sir, we have gained a great victory, but we have lost Lord Nelson.”

click image to enlarge

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.

Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations: Rear Admiral John Peyton Memorial

As part Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations to take place in July, the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society have provided this article on one of 'The three Admirals'.

John Peyton Portrait
click image to enlarge

John Peyton (1752-1809) came from a naval family: his grandfather, father, and two brothers (one of them quite undeservedly) all achieved flag rank. He was the most distinguished of them all, although a nephew in some ways surpassed him. His fame nonetheless is immortal: he was one of the ‘Band of Brothers’, the fifteen Captains at the Battle of The Nile in 1798, the first of Nelson’s three great naval victories.

In October 1807 it was announced that Captain J Peyton had been passed over for promotion and retained on the list of superannuated captains, but allowed the nominal rank of rear admiral. Twelve days later, the Morning Chronicle expressed concern that a hero of The Nile should be treated this way. In fact, John Peyton was already a Rear Admiral at this date, and the officer who had been passed over was his undeserving brother Joseph.

John Peyton Memorial
click image to enlarge

Ill health affected Peyton at The Nile, but his ship, Defence, was still able to engage with the slightly larger French 80 gun Franklin, taking the surrender after a four hour duel. In the aftermath of the battle he wrote to his wife – a wealthy widow in her own right – to say that he expected to receive prize money of two thousand pounds, about a quarter of a million pounds today.

click image to enlarge

Unwell, he was forced to return home, and retired to Priestlands House, Pennington. On his death, his widow erected a memorial in All Saints Church, Milford, which has recently been restored by Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society and the 1805 Club. 

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.

Cornwallis Remembered: Visit of Royal Navy Patrol Ship to Lymington

Lymington port will be playing host to the Royal Navy on 5th July when Royal Navy Patrol ship, HMS Trumpeter, visits. The visit co-incides with a series of events and activities planned by local organisations as part of a Cornwallis Remembered commemoration.

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HMS Trumpeter is a P2000 Archer Class patrol ship. These small vessels are ideally crafted to navigate the shallow waters of ports like Lymington. They are used in various roles including maritime protection, but HMS Trumpeter is one of fourteen which are attached to universities around the United Kingdom to train Royal Navy officers of the future.

Whilst in port, her commanding officer, Lieutenant David Vail RN, will be attending a service at All Saints Church, Milford-on-Sea commemorating three admirals buried at Milford who made significant contributions to the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte over two hundred years ago. The service will be held on 5th July, the bi-centenary of the death of the most famous of these, Admiral Sir William Cornwallis, and will include the unveiling of a new stained-glass window dedicated to all three admirals.

Barry Jolly, a Trustee of Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society which has led the programme, comments, “We are delighted to have had the enthusiastic support of the Royal Navy along with so many other organisations during the three years of planning that has gone into the Cornwallis Remembered programme. We have engaged in important research which has been published in national journals and underpins both the exhibition - Command of the Seas: The Navy and the New Forest Against Napoleon – running through the summer at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery and a new admirals heritage trail from Milford across to Bucklers Hard.”

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.

Cornwallis Remembered: Command of the Seas Exhibition coming

As part Cornwallis Remembered Celebrations to take place in July, the Command of the Seas Exhibition is taking place at St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery in Lymington: 

click image to enlarge

To find our more about all of the Cornwallis Story and the Cornwallis Remembered celebrations, please click here.

Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society: www.milfordhistory.org.uk

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Cornwallis Remembered Weekend: 

Friday 5th July 2019: includes a family friendly celebration on Milford on Sea village green and much more. Keep the date free!

Click here for event details.