The 1805 Dispatches #26.03 June 2026 2 of 8 Forty-five members and guests gathered at the RAG (The Army and Navy Club), Pall Mall, London, on Saturday 9th May for The 1805 Club’s Annual General Meeting 2026. This year’s meeting carried particular significance, as both Chairman, John Rodgaard, and Secretary, Stephen Howarth, have now completed their constitutional three-year terms and stepped down from the Board of Trustees. During the Members’ Forum, member Charles Barton invited attendees to join him in a warm round of applause to thank Capt Rodgaard and Mr Howarth for their outstanding leadership and service. The Club confirmed its Trustees for the coming year: Pete Stark (US Secretary), Mark Billings (Canadian Secretary), Jo Birtwhistle (Webmaster), Kate Jamieson and Mark West (Trustees without Portfolio), Natasha Abriat (Virtual Museum Curator), and Peter Turner (Editor of The Kedge Anchor and The 1805 Dispatches). Three new Trustees were also warmly welcomed: Jude Wilson (Secretary/Clerk), Jack Satterfield (Trustee without Portfolio), and Shirin Camenisch (Social Media Coordinator). With these additions, the Board now comprises 10 Trustees, together with fsix Associates: Kathy Brown (Trafalgar Way Programme Manager), Sue Carr (Membership Chair), Stephen Howarth (Senior Advisor), Judy Pearson (Recorder and Managing Editor of the Trafalgar Chronicle), John Rogaard (Senior Advisor) and Lynda Sebbage (Chaplain). Members heard reports of another active and productive year for the Club. Highlights included a visit to Nevis to return the conserved parish register to St John’s Figtree Anglican Church and to unveil a replica of Nelson’s captain’s uniform for the Nevis Historical and Conservation Society. The Club completed a project with the St Tudy Historical Society in creating and dedicating a memorial plaque at St Tudy’s Church, to Private Richard Masters, Royal Marines, who was killed at Trafalgar. The Club also launched a preservation project in Delaware for the ship’s bell from HMS DeBraak. Work continues in Scotland to honour Sailing Master George Forbes with a grave marker and bench. Other activities included a guided tour of Stonehouse Royal Marine Barracks in Plymouth; commemorative luncheons in Alexandria, Virginia marking the Battle of the Nile and the Glorious First of June; participation in the Midshipman Dale wreath-laying in Bermuda; attendance at the McMullen Naval History Symposium at the US Naval Academy; presentation of a student prize at Admiral Nelson School; and a series of Trafalgar Way talks by Kathy Brown. There was also a major Conference in Portsmouth, featuring presentations from eight leading international naval historians. The year concluded with the traditional Trafalgar Night Dinner in HMS NELSON Wardroom. In the Membership Report, the Club recorded 379 members across 23 countries as of 31 December 2025. This included 235 members in the UK, 117 in the US, 33 life members, eight honorary members, and 10 corporate members. Looking ahead, the Club plans to introduce a tiered membership structure aimed at the heritage sector, academia, and naval associations, with reduced-rate digital-only memberships for students, serving naval personnel, and Sea Cadets. The meeting was followed by a compelling talk by guest speaker Colonel Ian Moore, CBE, RM (Rtd) who explored the vital role of the Royal Marines at Trafalgar. He highlighted their disciplined musket fire in repelling boarding attempts and closed with a poignant account of Marine Sergeant Secker carrying the mortally wounded Admiral Nelson below decks – an enduring reminder of the Marines’ presence at one of naval history’s most iconic moments. THE 1805 CLUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 2026 Alison Reijman SHIP’S WORD WHEEL Take a ten-minute break and find as many words as possible, using the letters in the wheel. Each must use the hub letter and at least 3 others, used only once. No plurals (if only made by adding an ‘s’ or ‘es’), no foreign words not in common usage in English, nor proper nouns. There is at least one nine-letter word to be found. 15 = Average; 20 = Good; 30 = V Good; 40+ = Amazing! Answers on last page
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