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.)
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