The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 1 EDITORIAL This digital newsletter of The 1805 Club is usually issued in a fourpage format every two months, and is available to anyone interested in naval history – whether or not they are Club members. This special 12-page edition is dedicated to the memory of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was a supportive friend of the Club. Members of The 1805 Club were asked to contribute their memories of HRH, for inclusion in this tribute, and this is the result. Meeting Royalty is a rare event for most people. To have so many contributions from our members is very rewarding. This tribute is intended to be neither sombre nor disrespectful – it is just our memories of a greatman. ka.editor@1805club.org 1 of 4 One of the hopes attached to this newsletter is that it will also attract the attention of people who are not already members of The 1805 Club. Membership of The 1805 Club is open to everyone, everywhere, who supports the purposes of the Club and shares its interests. Its historical and social events are marked by their genuinely friendly atmosphere. Consequently, it is further hoped that this newsletter will appear in various new online venues, so we encourage its dissemination and only ask that you clear it with the editor before doing so. ka.editor@1805club.org Having met many Club members both here in my home territory of Menorca, and at other Club events, I was delighted to be invited to write again about the Isla del Rey, site of the firstever purpose-built Royal Naval Hospital. We hope to organise another enjoyable and educational visit some time in 2021, once the COVID crisis has settled and freedom of travel is again facilitated. The photo here shows the whole hospital structure as seen today. Built in 1711 by the Royal Navy to service their substantial Mediterranean fleet, it latterly reverted to operating as a Spanish military hospital after the British left finally in 1802, and it remained in service until 1964, when it was abandoned and fell into ruin. A group of dedicated volunteers, mainly Spanish and British, started to restore the building and reclaim its contents and surrounds in 2004, and have done a remarkable job with very limited funds but huge commitment under the leadership of General Luis Alejandre OBE. The 1805 Club decision to share a significant part of its Libor grant with us was hugely appreciated, and enabled the creation of a magnificent “Church Hall or Vestry” adjacent to the Anglican chapel (restored 2011, our 300th anniversary). These buildings are directly under the main tower in the photo. Club members have yet to see this new development, and there is much more! The first floor of the main building is being turned into a Centre of Interpretation for the history of Menorca, and we already have English and French rooms in place, plus another showing the development of the Port of Mahon, from its return to Christianity in 1287 to present day. More rooms are under construction. Another really exciting innovation opening in 2021 will be in the long, low Admiral Langara Building sited in front of the main hospital. The worldrenowned modern art promoters, Hauser & Wirth, are opening their FIRSTgallery in the Mediterranean to showcase a rolling collection of leading international artists and sculptors in a fabulous location (items not for sale so no pressure!). They will afford us a warm VIP welcome. This will greatly uplift the profile of Menorca, much as the Guggenheim has proved in Bilbao. (More details about the Club visit will appear in future issues once the travel situation clarifies.) Sadly, we hear that Derek Hayes, the well-respected Life President of the Nelson Society, died of old age on 28 March 2020, 116 days after Mary, his wife of 65 years. Derek enjoyed working with members of The 1805 Club researching aspects of Nelson’s life. Isla del Rey (King’s Island), Menorca Image provided by Lorraine Ure, courtesy of Isla del Rey Foundation THE 1805 DISPATCHES Issue#21.DofE April2021 HRH THE PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH 10 June 1921 – 9 April 2021 (JOHN LAWRENCE PHOTOGRAPHY / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO) THE NEWSLETTER OF THE 1805 CLUB www.1805club.org
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 2 From G W (Bill) White, The 1805 Club Chairman The Trafalgar Way was created in 2005 to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Readers wishing to know more about this fascinating and successful project should visit www.trafalgarway.org. This article describes the involvement of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as other members of the Royal Family. In 2005 I was Vice Chairman of The 1805 Club and also became Chairman of The New Trafalgar Dispatch. This was a project, largely devised by me, to symbolically re-enact the delivery of the original Trafalgar Dispatches from Cape Trafalgar via Falmouth to London. In its land phase, the project resulted in the creation of The Trafalgar Way. In view of the historic national signi�icance of Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, we enquired whether the Royal Family would wish to be involved, and their Royal Highnesses, The Princess Anne and The Earl of Wessex agreed to lend their support; The Princess Anne at Falmouth and The Earl of Wessex at Bagshot Park in Surrey. Then, in 2007, it was decided to see whether it would be possible in November of that year to commemorate the delivery of the news of Trafalgar to King George III at Windsor in November 1805. Our equestrian consultant for The Trafalgar Way project, Richard James, was also an expert on carriage driving, which had resulted in his becoming known well to His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, whom he often accompanied in driving his four-in-hand in Windsor Great Park.. Richard James enquired of the Duke whether he would consider hosting a reception at Windsor Castle and he graciously agreed. It was held in the Queen’s Guard Chamber adjacent to both St George’s Hall and The Waterloo Chamber. Poignantly, a display case in the Guard Chamber contains the lead shot that killed Lord Nelson at Trafalgar. His Royal Highness was generous in his welcome as well as displaying great wit and being well informed. The original Dispatch was in the British Library, and HRH was given a facsimile of it, and The New Trafalgar Dispatch. His Royal Highness’s friendly conviviality with the 1805 Club members and guests who were present will long be remembered. (Continued on next page) Above: HRH the Duke of Edinburgh is at the far left of the assembled guests awaiting the arrival of the replica post-chaise at Windsor Castle on 9 November 2007. The original post-chaise had conveyed Lt. Lapenotiere from Falmouth when he delivered the original Trafalgar Dispatch in 1805. The replica was built and used to create The Trafalgar Way and deliver The New Trafalgar Dispatch. Below: HRH Prince Philip is shown the framed New Dispatch by Bill White, who at the time was both chairman of The New Trafalgar Dispatch and vice chairman of The 1805 Club. (Photographs: George Bodnar. For more refer to the next page.)
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 3 From Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, Club President The country’s media, having underplayed the death of the Queen Mother, were not going to get The Duke’s passing wrong. Some judged an over-correction was made. I suggest not and the fact a cookery programme and other reality TV programmes were postponed actually gave us a respite!! I considered that I knew the Duke’s story fairly well but I was wrong and needed educating to fully grasp the extent of his endeavours, achievements and character. The media coverage �illed in a number of gaps. I am glad our Club has decided to put on record our members’ individual thoughts on, and memories of, HRH. Bill White’s letter of condolence includes both personal and Club elements and is to be applauded. My tack is somewhat different and probably unsurprising from a retired senior of�icer. I would contend that the key building block of his subsequent life and achievement was his time and experience gained in the RN. A natural at BRNC Dartmouth, demanding service in all the great naval theatres, opportunities to display bravery and initiative, a natural understanding of duty and responsibility, the relationship between people and their equipment, strong leadership and early responsibility are all very clear from study of his naval career. Unable to have any form of direct executive responsibility as the Consort he nevertheless drew on these skills and talents in all his many interests, initiatives and activities. He was remorseless in the execution of his interests and responsibilities. I was lucky enough to see him on the odd occasion as a junior of�icer but much more regularly subsequently and particularly as the Fleet Commander and First Sea Lord. He was such good counsel, so perceptive, fun company and put people at their ease. Latterly he became even more interested in technology and innovation and was absorbed by developments in defence. This is not the time or place to recount very personal memories but I have a few to continue to remind me of this great man we have recently lost and who fundamentally was a naval of�icer of enormous quality. (Continuation of Chairman’s Remarks) The Waterloo Reception at Windsor Castle In view of the experience gained in setting up and creating the Trafalgar Way, the Club was asked by the Army in about 2012 if it would assist them in devising an analogous event for the commemoration of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, based on the delivery to London of the Waterloo Dispatch written in Brussels by Lord Wellington in the aftermath of the battle. The post-chaise used for the New Trafalgar Dispatch was also employed for the Waterloo commemorative events and Richard James again approached the Duke of Edinburgh with a request for him to host a Reception. Once again he agreed and said that it would be appropriate for it to be held in the Waterloo Chamber. As with the Trafalgar Reception, His Royal Highness’s welcome, wit and conviviality greatly enhanced the occasion. The images on this page are from the 2007 event. Left: Lt Lapenotiere (AlexPrice) delivers the news of victory at Trafalgar. On the table is the muf�ineer presented to Lt Lapenotiere by HM King George III. Topright: Guests assembled in the Queen’s Guard Chamber. Right: HRH The Duke of Edinburgh addresses reception guests in the Queen’s Guard Chamber in front of the Nelson bust by Flaxman mounted on a pedestal cut from the mainmast of HMSVictory. Below right, left to right: Commander Robin Whiteside and Rear Admiral Robin Shiffner (repectively secretary and chairman of The Trafalgar Way Trust, joint organiser of the event) with Peter Warwick (then chairman of The 1805 Club) with HRH. (All photographs of this event are by George Bodnar, and were orginally published inTheKedge Anchor, Issue No. 20 dated November 2007.)
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 4 Our Chairman sent this letter of condolence to Her Majesty The Queen. From Admiral of the Fleet The Lord Boyce The Royal Navy was a Service to which Admiral of the Fleet HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was quite palpably devoted from the time that he joined as a young 18-year-old and thereafter through the rest of his life. His distinguished war record and subsequent command of a warship, the frigate HMSMagpie, gavehim the absolute credibility to speak with knowledge, experience and ease to sailors and marines of whatever rank - he was, incidentally, inordinately proud of his role as Commandant General Royal Marines. His famous curiosity, interest and genuine wish to �ind out from whoever he spoke to about what they were up to – whatever their status and specialisation – engineer, logistician, operator or whatever – meant that he captured the absolute attention of all with whom he engaged; and he invariably won their utmost respect and admiration. And the experience of meeting him would more often than not leave people feeling stimulated, always better informed, and occasionally somewhat storm-torn, but always encouraged and refreshingly clear on His Royal Highness’s view! His high sense of duty and loyalty to the White Ensign could not have been more clear; he epitomised the ideals and ethos of the Service, setting a life-long example to which we could all aspire, although very few would genuinely match; and, in all, he was an inspiration for everybody in the Royal Navy during the course of his long life. He will be greatly missed by the Service. From Peter Yule Booth I have enjoyed many of The 1805 Club events, and none more so than the reenactment of the bringing of the news of the battle of Trafalgar to King George III hosted by Prince Philip at Windsor Castle. It was a wonderful occasion in every way. Towards the end of the evening Prince Philip was circulating. He approached, stopped and we spoke brie�ly, mainly about my ancestor, Lieutenant John Yule, who was with Nelson when he died and who appears in the famous Devis painting. Prince Philip was very interested and then turned to a young Royal Marine, with whom I had previously been talking. The photo below shows this. I am the person in the middle. Photos: George Bodnar
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 5 From George Cansino The only memory I have is that in about 1976, he and his wife drove past my home [in Bath] and waved at me, my son and wife. At least I assume he was waving to us and not the other folk on the pavement. From Judy Collingwood Here is a little background to my and Lynda’s meeting with HRH, at Windsor in 2007, for the delivery of the New Trafalgar Despatch. I mentioned to him that I had been working in Vienna with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in 1968/69 when the Royals (including The Princess Anne on her �irst of�icial outing) visited Vienna on a state visit. I had met the Duke at a British Embassy reception and he had asked me ‘How long is your stint?’ At Windsor, I told him that my grand-mother, reading my letter to the family, said ‘Prince Philip asked me how long is your skirt?’ He roared with laughter, and said ‘I would have noticed.’ (Please see photograph with Lynda Sebbage’s memories on page 9) From Ken Flemming FM LM Club Vice President After joining HMSLondondirectly from the builders, Swan Hunter, Wallsend, as part of her engineering branch before completing a world tour. The ship welcomed H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh onboard during a two-day visit on 11/12 June 1964 duringSeaslugandSeacat air defence missile �irings. At the sight of the ship's Wessex �light, apipewasmadeHRH approaching. It turned out to be a member of the �light riding a “Pusser's red devil bicycle” mid-air! HRH landed later by the same �light in a more formal way. His somewhat embarrassed ADC failed to keep hold of his cap on landing, which was blown overboard, later to be picked up by the ship's whaler someway astern. Below HRH is welcomed onboard byLondon’s Captain J C Bartosik DSC. During his two days stay the ship’s Seaslugmissile system took out the exceedingly small target plane. Leading to one of HRH’s classic statements “Give that man a coconut”! Immediately illustrated on the main notice board by a cartoon drawn by one of the ships' company. (All these photos thanks to Ken Flemming) From Surgeon Commander Peter R Brinsden MBBS FRCOG FRGS Royal Navy (Retired). It was as a young Surgeon Lieutenant serving on board HMS Glamorganin July 1969. She was one of the �lagships at the Royal Naval Fleet Review by Her Majesty The Queen at Torbay. I was lucky enough to win one of the Wardroom invitations to a reception on board the Royal Yacht Britanniahosted by HM The Queen and Prince Philip. As one of the many of�icers attending, I was �irst introduced to The Queen, then Prince Philip and other members of the Royal Family. During the reception I spotted an old medical colleague who was the Medical Of�icer on the Royal Yacht. While chatting to him, we were joined by Prince Philip to whom I was introduced again by my colleague. Whilst shaking his hand I noted that it was bound in a bandage. As a medical man I was naturally curious as to the nature of his hand injury and asked him about it. He replied to the effect that it was an old polo injury and nothing serious, but that he kept a bandage on the hand for occasions such as this when meeting the many “young bucks” like me who always liked to give him a “manly handshake by squeezing the hell out of it”. He then said words to the effect that “it makes no bloody difference at all”! There followed another ten minutes or so of delightful conversation and banter, which I will always remember, and included my tale of the �irst time that I had met The Queen, when I had to tell her a lie … but that is another story!
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 6 See p12 for a key to this image. From Stephen Howarth, former Club Chairman I met Prince Philip just the once, in 1997, at the launch of my centenary history of Shell Transport & Trading, British parent of the Royal Dutch Shell group. The Duke and Her Majesty visited Shell Centre in London and charmed the many employees present, asking them many questions. I had a scheduled opportunity to give Her Majesty a copy of the book, which we looked through together until the chairman of the company, Mark (later Sir Mark) Moody-Stuart, said, "Stephen, you probably don't know, but Her Majesty has read the book already." I was so surprised that I simply looked at her wideeyed and said, "Have you really?" (No "Ma'am" or anything!) She smiled and replied, "Yes, it was very interesting." The chairman added, "That's why she could ask so many good questions." The Chairman then led the way to where the Queen would unveil a bust of the company's founder, and I followed eagerly. All of a sudden, I realised there was someone very close behind me: The Duke! And I was blocking his way! I stepped aside and said, "I'm very sorry, sir -- I didn't realise you were there. I was just so entranced by Her Majesty." He grinned and said, "That's quite all right. So was I." From Ian McKee Lieutenant Commander RCN (Rtd) I had the good fortune to meet HRH several times. He was very bright and only had to be told directions once. I recall repeating myself one time and, although he was usually polite, he assured me in no uncertain terms he heard me the �irst time. I got the impression he did not suffer fools gladly. I was a young ADC to the Governor General of Canada in 1956-57. Her Majesty and HRH came to Canada in 1957. They stayed at Government House. In 1957 his principal advisor/equerry was an ex-sergeant in the Kenya Police Force – and was he ever a bright cookie! The last to go to bed at night and �irst up in the morning. When you tried to brief him, he always already knew what was going on and had obviously told his boss. It was a sharp contrast to the Queen's staff who always seemed to me to have the job because their family had always had that job. She was seldom well briefed. I recall them entering the ballroom in Ottawa and the plan was for her to go counter-clockwise while HRH went clockwise. We had VIPs alerted to stay in various places around the room so they could be introduced to the Royals. I got the impression she had never been given her instructions and was left on her own. One day in Ottawa I was standing near the front door when the head of the Bank of Montreal arrived unexpectedly. He said he had been summoned. I sent for the Queen's equerry, a young Lord somebody who was in his room, having a rest after lunch. He told the butler he would be down in a few minutes when he was dressed. I remember sending the butler back to tell the snotty aristocrat that I had sent for a car and if he was not there in �ive minutes I was sending the banker back to his of�ice. I really liked HRH – an interesting fellow with an interesting reputation. When he was a junior of�icer, one time, he set off a thunder �lash at a mess dinner and blew a hole in the table. He had a Canadian friend who became an Air Commodore. They went off duck shooting. HRH asked to drive, and the Air Commodore reluctantly let him do so. He drove very quickly and soon lost his escort. They came back next morning with the trunk full of ducks which they showed me. The press soon arrived and asked HRH how he had done. I think the allowed limit at the time was two apiece. HRH's comment was just, 'Oh I got my limit'. They were at a reception at the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa. A man came along in the line wearing a signi�icant tie. HRH said "Oh, I know the game. I'm supposed to recognize the tie." He paused for a moment and then said "Trinity College School, Port Hope". He was correct, to the amazement of the wearer. Shortly after another man came along with an even more unusual tie and again HRH was able to tell him what it was. The man blurted out "How in the world did you know that?" HRH just laughed and said "The Prime Minister just told me." The Right Honourable John Diefenbaker was standing beside him. In 1957 the Apostolic Delegate, because of his jurisdiction, was given the honorary title of Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Ottawa. He was a dif�icult little man who took his title too seriously and thus was a bane to us ADCs. The real Head of the Corps was the Ambassador of the Netherlands, a very �ine and capable diplomat. We had a large state reception at Government House and both were there as they should be. (Continued on p8)
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 7 And for you to enjoy it even more fully, here is a beautiful performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0EuqJLhhDA Recently on BBC Radio 4, Admiral Lord West recalled hosting His Royal Highness and Her Majesty to dinner in HMSVictory. He knew that the Duke was fond of the sailors' lament Tom Bowling, and arranged for it to be performed after dinner by an 'exotic harpist and singer'. Unfortunately there was a typo in the menu, unnoticed until too late, and it read 'erotic harpist' – which HRH liked. Here is a chance for you to enjoy the unaltered words and score too, in memory of His Royal Highness who has also 'gone aloft'.
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 8 (Continuation from p6) As usual, we stationed the real V.I.P.s around the ballroom so that we could be sure of having them introduced and greet the Royal Couple. The Apostolic Delegate was not one of this select group. He did come up to speak to HRH and he was festooned with religous medals. This was only ten years after the war so there were a lot of medals in evidence. HRH looked at him and said, "My, you have been through the wars" and moved on – to the delight of the ADCs because the Apostolic Delegate had been in South America during WWII. In 1967 Her Majesty and HRH had just been on a state visit to Spain before coming to Canada. One of them, it may actually have been Her Majesty, was describing the trip. The custom was that people threw rose petals or rice. HRH was saying that they drove in an open car and there were so many petals that every few minutes he had to bail them out of the car as they were standing knee deep. That was not the worst problem. When they were driving from village to village they would move right along. Those on the road-side threw rice. It was like shotgun pellets at 20 miles an hour. They not only stung but stuck to your teeth. Not all royal outings are grand. I was also ADC to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia from 1994-2001. From Mal Nicholson This is the day Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh saluted me and my crew, special VIP guests aboard Humber Super SloopSpiderTonthe Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on the Thames. We were representing Lincolnshire and The Sailors’ Children’s Society. Despite the fact that Prince Philip was in a lot of pain with a kidney infection he stood in the cold and rain probably wet through carrying out his duty to our Queen on her Jubilee before being admitted to hospital. Sincere condolences to our Queen and the Royal Family. From Alison Reijman, former Club Council Member I attended the wonderful Trafalgar Way reception at Windsor Castle on 9th November 2007, hosted by the Duke of Edinburgh. Though I did not meet him on that occasion, I wrote up this memorable occasion for theKedge Anchor (Issue No.20, November 2007). However, in 2005, I was presented to the Duke on the main deck of theCuttySark. The occasion was the 40th anniversary of the National Trust's Neptune Coastline Campaign. I had had to take voluntary redundancy from the National Trust, but they very kindly invited me back for the reception because of the work I had undertaken to promote the campaign: also SeaBritain, the nationwide festival inspired by the Bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar, in which I had been deeply involved before my reluctant departure from the Trust. After being introduced to His Royal Highness, I enjoyed some drinks and nibbles before the formal dinner on board CuttySarkstarted. That was my cue to leave and walk on over to the National Maritime Museum, which was holding a special private viewing of its new Nelson and Napoleon Exhibition for 1805 Club members that evening. That was an incredibly interesting but busy evening in Greenwich! From Dennis Robinson-Welsh I met Prince Philip on two occasions both of which were at charities that he supported. On the �irst occasion we discussed the Outward Bound Trust as I had attended the Moray Sea School in 1958 as an Admiralty apprentice. The Trust had almost failed due to �inancial problems and we were both relieved that it had survived – in the main thanks to him, although he was too modest to say so! The next occasion I introduced some of my team to him, one of whom was my Head of Human Resources. He turned to move on and then hesitated and turned back and said, “People are not sacks of coal you know.” Being stuck for words all that came out of my mouth was “Well, it is an American expression” to which he replied “Humph” and moved on. A role model, a natural leader and an inspiration to countless young – and not so young – lives. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on through the lives that he touched, and the organisations that he founded, supported and inspired. Photo: Nick Moulds
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 9 From Lynda Sebbage, Club Honorary Chaplain I �irst met His Royal Highness way back in the 1970s, when I attended Buckingham Palace to receive my gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. It was a very special occasion, and I was overawed by the whole event, thankful that I had my father with me to help keep me calm! I met the Duke again in November 2007, in the Queen’s Guard Chamber at Windsor Castle, for a champagne reception organised by The 1805 Club and the Trafalgar Way Trust to deliver the New Trafalgar Dispatch, which was later presented to the Duke. Yet another very special occasion, and I decided to wear my Gold Award, thinking that the Duke may - just may - notice it if I had the privilege of meeting him that evening. And then, from across the room, I saw his eye alight on my brooch, and he headed over to me, skirting round folk who wanted to talk to him. What should I say? How should I address him? All these thoughts went through my mind, but needless to say, there was no need to worry. He was just like anyone else – a man of the people, relaxed and so easy to talk to. He had come over to see me especially to say how pleased he was that I was wearing my Award that night! I reminded him of the occasion when he had presented it to me, which of course I knew he would not remember, but more importantly, I wanted to tell him what a difference this award had made to my life. (Photo: George Bodnar) From Genevieve St George Though the Duke was in the Royal Navy, and fought in WW2, he had to become a British Citizen to marry The Princess Elizabeth. He became Lt Philip Mountbatten. Before the Wedding King George VI made him Baron Greenwich. As Baron Greenwich he has planted an Oak near the Oak planted by Elizabeth I. In 1948 he studied at The Naval College, Greenwich and was made HRH Prince Philip in 1957. The Duke was both a Trustee of The NMM and remained its Patron till his death. The NMM opened a new building offsite but still part of The RBG in 2017 to carry out conservation and archives for The Royal Museum Greenwich, named ‘The Prince Philip Maritime Conservation Centre.’ Though the Duke did not open The Centre he made a private visit in November 2017 and was well pleased with all he saw. He had spent a lifetime saving Maritime History: whereas we had only HMSVictoryin the 1950’s we now have several around the Country includingMaryRose,HMSPresident and HMSBelfast. I was invited to visit the Centre in 2017. It is amazing what can be achieved there now. Saving ships began in the 195O’s as the Duke was awareof CuttySark, a training ship at Greenhithe that was to be scrapped and he led to her being saved. He welcomed her to Greenwich in 1954 for the conservation needed and also when she opened to the public in 1957. He headed The Cutty Sark Society. CuttySarkis loved by all to this day and part of The RMG. There was a service on board on Friday April 16 2021 attended by The Mayor, The Director of RBG, Deputy Lord Lieutenant and local dignitaries. The Duke only became Lord High Admiral when HM the Queen relinquished what was her title, to him, to markhis90th birthday, in 2011. When Greenwich became a Royal Borough in 2012 the Duke was given The Freedom of The Royal Borough of Greenwich. Years later in 2013 he renamed the hull of an older clipper, on a barge moored near CuttySark ‘City of Adelaide‘ before she was shipped to Port Adelaide, arriving in 2014 for restoration. She had carried settlers to Australia and brought wool home to England and in RN for 20 years. I last saw the Duke at an Anzac Day Service in The Gallipoli Chapel at Holy Trinity, Eltham in RBG. The Vicar Rev Hall had volunteered as a Padre and landed with the Troops on the Beaches on April 25th 1915. He was so moved he created the Chapel dedicated in 1917. I had great uncles at Gallipoli and at The Western Front. One is buried near Ypres. I regularly attend Anzac Day. It was a privilege to be invited to The ORNC Chapel Service for Baron Greenwich on April 16 2021 which was very poignant and �itting. The Duke was ‘A Man for All Seasons’ who has made life better for many in The Royal Borough of Greenwich, the UK ,the Commonwealth and the World. May he Rest in Peace.
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 10 From John Wills Some 35 years ago I was fortunate to be appointed as the Senior Engineer of HM Yacht Britannia. I undertook three voyages: Portsmouth to Shanghai and back (1986); a west-about circumnavigation via the Galapagos Islands in mid-Paci�ic, and Australia, followed by Portsmouth to Aberdeen and back (1988). 1987 was spent undergoing one of the RN’s �irst contract re�its at Devonport. HM the Queen and HRH Prince Philip, as well as other members of the Royal Family, would useBritannia as a �loating palace, to promote “UK Limited”. Most port visits involved the promotion of British goods and trade. In advance, the local Embassies would have arranged Business Days usually focussed on speci�ic needs of the host country. For example, in Shanghai in 1986, it was the promotion of British heavy electrical products and Insurance. It was due to the foresight of HRH Prince Philip that Britanniawas used in this productive way. The stopover in the uninhabited Galapagos Islands in 1988 enabled HRH not only to visit this unique and remote colony of penguins, but to enable world-class naturalists and selected members of the media to accompany him to one of our planet’s most remote group of islands. This is an example of the “reach” he had at his disposal, and the productive use that he made of it. My baptism of �ire inBritanniaoccurred when Her Majesty and HRH disembarked for their �irst engagement ashore in Shanghai. I was summoned by my Admiral and told that there was a smell of cigar smoke in the Duke’s cabin, which was to be removed by the time they re-embarked! I soon got to understand the ventilation system for the Royal cabins, which all seemed intact, so concluded that the irritation was caused by the Royal Marine Band Drum Major’s ceremonial bearskin hanging inside the fan chamber! I heard no more from HRH. I’d passed his initiation test, although I don’t think that the Royal Marine Director of Music was very impressed! From Anthony Wozencroft Past Club Projects Of�icer My memories: The Day He Got Married. I was eleven years old, and my father was a railwayman at Waterloo Station. He had noticed that the Princess Elizabeth and Philip would be leaving on their honeymoon from the station. I was on the approach ramp as her Majesty and Philip smiled and waved at me as they came by. What a thrill that day was for me, the couple were in the prime of life and even to a young boy looked a special and lovely couple. His Birthday Dinner. After nearly �ifty years working, I retired from structural engineering. Having a love and interest in naval history, I was fortunate to secure a position as a "Yeoman Guide” at the Old Royal Naval College Greenwich. In 1947 the Duke of Edinburgh was made Baron Greenwich; in his honour Greenwich Foundation provided a celebration dinner for his 80th birthday in the Painted Hall, I was delighted to be invited to this special occasion. The Lewin Gates. Admiral of the Fleet Lord Terence Lewin, was commemorated by the Duke of Edinburgh, by him dedicating the “Lewin Gates” at the Old Royal Naval College. It was my privilege to escort the Duke to the “King’s House” on his attendance. The Nelson Dispatch. Who could forget the very special evening at Windsor Castle when The 1805 Club presented the Nelson Dispatch to the Duke of Edinburgh? Sermon for the Sunday after the Announcement of the Death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Second Sunday of Easter. Given by Rev Pat Mann, Chaplain of ORNC Chapel. “As we gather together today, in the season of Easter, we �ind ourselves in a period of national mourning following the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99, on Friday 9 April. One of his lesser known titles, given to him as he prepared to marry the then Princess Elizabeth, was Baron Greenwich. So here in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and at the Old Royal Naval College, which as the Royal Naval College he attended in 1948, we pause to remember and give thanks for this extraordinary man. For Prince Philip was an extraordinary man, who lived an extraordinary life. A life intimately connected with the sweeping changes of our turbulent twentieth century, a life of fascinating contrast and contradiction, and of long and faithful service. A complex and clever man. Here, in the spiritual home of the Royal Navy, we remember not just that he attended here but that the Navy and the sea were one of the enduring passions of his life. Prince Philip visited the Royal Naval College many times, notably at the ending of an era as Naval training moved to other establishments and the Royal Naval College closed, and as the last white ensign to �ly here was taken down and handed to His Royal Highness it found its way to the College Chaplain and has hung here in the Ante-Chapel ever since. His Royal Highness was also variously President of the Cutty Sark Trust, a Trustee of the National Maritime Museum and played a central role in the Borough of Greenwich becoming “Royal” and was granted Freedom of the Royal Borough in2012. As a naval of�icer, Prince Philip served with distinction in the Second World War, with a Mention in Despatches whilst serving as a Midshipman. He was a man of many interests. One of his enduring legacies is the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme,
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 11 which fosters resilience, resourcefulness and leadership in young people. He was a prophetic voice on environmental issues and the protection of the natural world. What he described as the “Web of life”. As a nation, we are most thankful for the 73 years that he spent in what became his life’s work, as husband to Her Majesty the Queen. Her “strength and stay” for all those years. We owe him our heartfelt gratitude for those years of duty and service to the Queen and to our country. Prince Philip was unstinting in his devotion to her as the longest serving consort in our history. What most of the tributes paid to Prince Philip yesterday do not mention was what the BBC described as his “lifelong interest in spiritual matters”. He was a man of strong and active, deep and genuine faith. Faith was something to be explored and his Royal Highness kept up a lifelong friendship and correspondence with several Deans of Windsor. The Archbishop of Canterbury commented that the Prince would always have a question or comment for the preacher. The motto beneath his coat of arms is “God is my help”. I have heard many stories, and I’m sure that those of you who met him will have similar tales to tell, of the down-to-earth, no fuss, no unnecessary ceremony, sheer love of humanity, side of his nature. One story that struck me was of His Royal Highness on a visit to the Royal Marines where he was due to have lunch in the Of�icers Mess. Prince Philip on meeting a group of marines having lunch out in the �ield, sat down on a bergen (rucksack), asked two corporals for a mess tin and some of the food they were having and spent the rest of the visit sitting and chatting with them, missing the formal lunch that had been planned. The way the press have portrayed Prince Philip on many occasions as some kind of two-dimensional �igure that made politically incorrect jokes or was short tempered, does not do justice to the man who has had these long years to exercise considerable tact and diplomacy, who was the rock on which the Queen depended, and on whom so many others depended too. Thomas, called the twin, one of the disciples of Jesus, would have commiserated with Prince Philip about a having a reputation that has stuck but that is not particularly well-deserved. Forever known as “Doubting” Thomas, a name given to him due to his reported refusal to believe in the resurrection of Christ because he had not seen the risen Lord himself. But when confronted by Jesus a week later, Thomas does not need to put his hands in the wounds that the body of Jesus bears from the cruci�ixion, to see Jesus before him is enough. He proclaims Jesus as Lord and God in that moment and goes on as one of the group of disciples who receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and one of those who gives his testimony of the resurrection with great power in the Acts of the Apostles. That moment of doubt handed down to us, may well have given Thomas days of wrestling with the truth of the accounts of the resurrection but in history Thomas is recorded as the “doubter”. In this season of Easter and in this time of mourning, we too as Christians, are called to proclaim the word of life made real to us in the death and resurrection of Christ. The eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest, made clear to us in Christ. Through Jesus we can walk in the light of God all the days of this life and go to live in that light more fully and eternally. We offer our sincere condolences to her Majesty and the Royal Family this day and to all who grieve the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. We remember too, all those others who mourn the death of a loved one at this time. We pray that all in sorrow may �ind comfort in the Christian hope that death is not the end of life and that in God’s love we each continue for ever. I’d like to �inish with the words of a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins that has been a favourite of the Royal Family over the years. ‘‘I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.’ Prince Philip has lived his life by doing what he described as “his best”, he put his hand in the hand of God, and we pay tribute and give thanks for all that he has done and been in his long and full life. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Amen.” (Photo: ORNC Chapel)
The 1805 Dispatches #21.DofE April 2021 12 THE 1805 CLUB The 1805 Club was founded in 1990 and broadly: • Promotes and engages in the preservation of monuments and memorials relating to the Royal Navy and seafaring people of the later sailing-navy era; and • Promotes research into and education about the Royal Navy, merchant maritime service and other state navies of the same era; and • Organises relevant cultural, historical and social events. The Club is charity No. 1071871, registered in England and Wales. Contact details: John Curtis, Hon. Club Secretary, The 1805 Club 9 Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 2JN,UK Email: secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 01732 453176. For a membership application details please contact: Barry Scrutton, Hon. Membership Secretary, The 1805 Club 1 Cambus Road, London, E16 4AY, UK Email: membership.secretary@1805club.org Telephone: 020 7476 1215. Or: Capt. John A. Rodgaard (USN Ret.), Hon. North American Secretary, The 1805 Club 6089 Guildhall Court, Burke, Virginia 22015 USA Email: john_Rodgaard@yahoo.com; Telephone: 1-321-591-6123. Or: Mark Billings, Hon Canadian Secretary, The 1805 Club 4000 Marlowe Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3M2 Canada Email: mark@marengomgt.com Telephone: 1-514-296-1641 Visit our website: www.1805club.org Or see us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Or to join go to: Join The 1805 Club For Submission of copy contact: Peter Turner, KA Editor, The 1805 Club 10 North Hill, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1HH Email: ka.editor@1805club.org Tel: 01394 388809 or 07903 251008 The Newsletter for Anyone Interested in The 1805 Club PURPOSE. The purpose of this newsletter is to support and advance the Club’s objectives. The newsletter provides anyone who is interested with brief items of news about the Club and its activities, in the hope that the it can help the club attract wider interest in naval history and new members. Much of the content will be a précis of articles that will appear in The Kedge Anchor, the six-monthly Club magazine. EDITORIAL POLICY. The editor has full editorial responsibility for the newsletter. Views expressed in the newsletter are those of individual authors, unless claimed by the editor. Articles which appear do not express the official position of The 1805 Club on any subject unless specifically noted as such. Content of contributions to the newsletter may be edited for grammar, space allocation, or to better serve the purpose of the newsletter. Contributors wishing to be alerted to editorial decisions should notify the editor at the time that their contribution is submitted. Otherwise the submission will be published within the scope of the editorial policy. ISSUE AND COPY DATES The proposed usual issue dates for The 1805 Dispatches are: February, April, June, August, October and December. Anyone wishing to contribute an article or news item to the editor for inclusion in the newsletter should do so by the beginning of the month preceding the issue in which it is to be inserted. Any articles that are not time-specific can be submitted at any time, with a note advising him of that fact. All copy is welcome, but not all copy may be used! Always remember to keep an eye on The Trafalgar Way at www.thetrafalgarway.org It contains a fascinating series of articles by Bill White, about how TTW came into existence. Go to https://mailchi.mp/ thetrafalgarway/how-thetrafalgar-way-came-about Never forget that there is a whole treasure trove of interesting stuff frequently updated on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ The1805Club/ 1 Drake Anson 3 2 Raleigh Beatty 20 3 Anson Berry 7 4 Cook Broke 6 5 Cornwallis Cochrane 10 6 Broke Collingwood 8 7 Berry Cook 4 8 Collingwood Cornwallis 5 9 Duncan Drake 1 10 Cochrane Duncan 9 11 Hood Fremantle 18 12 Radstock (Waldegrave) Hood 11 13 Howe Hoste 17 14 Nelson Howe 13 15 St Vincent Jellicoe 19 16 Smith Mountbatten 22 17 Hoste Nelson 14 18 Fremantle Pound 21 19 Jellicoe Prince Philip 25 20 Beatty Radstock 12 21 Pound Raleigh 2 22 Mountbatten Smith 16 23 White St Vincent 15 24 Warwick Warwick 24 25 Prince Philip White 23 Key to AB&OS image on p6
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