5 of 12 August 2023 The 1805 Dispatches #23.04 CORNWALLIS REMEMBERED Culmination of a Remembrance Decade As everyone who was able to attend will know, members of The 1805 Club and our colleagues from the Milford on Sea Historical Records Society had a wonderful day at HM Naval Dockyard, Portsmouth, on Friday 16 June, 2023. The occasion was the laying of a memorial plaque commemorating Admiral Cornwallis. In this edition of The 1805 Dispatches, just some small pictures from the day are shown, with few details, because we are planning to prepare and issue a commemorative document recording the whole ten-year history leading up to and including this event. This will probably be issued digitally, with just a few printed copies for special participants to retain, because the distribution cost to all members far outweighs the cost of printing (If a sponsor were to step up, this decision is negotiable). The day started with a very moving service in St Ann’s Church, which included a reading by our Chaplain, the Rev. Lynda Sebbage. After the service the congregation gathered outside for the unveiling of the plaque and a few group photos, including one of the Sea Cadet troop who looked after us in the dockyard, where we were not allowed to ‘wander off’. We then repaired to the garden of Admiralty House, courtesy of the Second Sea Lord, for an enjoyable garden party, in blazing sun, where we were treated to a fine talk about Cornwallis by Professor Andrew Lambert, who is considered the current expert on the admiral. (See next page for a few more pix) You may also enjoy looking at the Milford on Sea Blogspot, which you will find at: https://milfordonsea.blogspot.com/2023/06/ memorial-unveiled-to-admiral-cornwallis. html We have received three letters which you really must see: the one above was from Nigel Atkinson Esq., His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, to Stephen Tregidgo. The second, received digitally, is reproduced below. I have no doubt you will agree that both these letters speak for us all. The third letter was also an email, this one to Stephen Tregidgo from the Sailors’ Children’s Society: Dear Stephen Thank you for your letter enclosing cheque for £137 which we received today. This gift being half of the collection made at the end of the Memorial Church Service honouring the memory of Admiral Sir William Cornwallis at St. Ann's Church, HM Naval Base Portsmouth on the 16th June 2023. Please pass on our grateful thanks to everyone concerned for this generous donation which will go towards our work caring for seafarers children from disadvantaged seafaring families. Our support includes a small monthly grant, clothing grants and the opportunity for a family to take a weeks' respite break at one of the nine caravans owned by the Society.With best wishes. Wendy Fish William Cornwallis as Admiral By Daniel Gardner (1750-1805). Engraver: William Ridley (17641838) NMM PAD3292 (Public Domain) Dear Editor, Through your good offices, I wish to place on record my sincere thanks to Stephen Tregidgo and his team, including MoSHRS, for the organisation of the excellent and moving Cornwallis event on Friday 16th of June 2023. Almost 10 years ago, with the support of the then Chaplain to the Fleet, I attempted to have a memorial tablet placed in St. Paul's Cathedral and subsequently in Portsmouth Cathedral. As events have shown, these were fortunate failures. St. Anne's Church, Portsmouth, is the spiritual home of the Royal Navy. The superbly crafted memorial stone is prominently displayed on view and will go far in establishing Admiral Cornwallis in his proper place in the pantheon of British Naval heroes. Yours sincerely, John Bewley MBE TD 1805 Club Member.
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