3 Our aim is to produce a news magazine of quality with varied interest while introducing new features. With this issue we are pleased to offer a new and exciting perspective to The Kedge Anchor. You will see that we are able to present a greater use of colour and a more sharply defined print. The continuing aim is to improve each issue while also looking at layout and content, although keeping a firm balance on its well-defined style. We hope you will find an easier to read and more relaxed News magazine. In the past we have presented a books section from information supplied by the publishers of the many volumes on the Naval Napoleonic period. We believe this introduced a broad section of publications to the membership. Editorially, full book reviews can be challenging, primarily because of the time lapse between publication of the book and publication of the review. However, following members requests, we intend to add an experimental new venture. While maintaining the traditional section, alongside it we shall run carefully selected publications which will be reviewed by a leading authority on the subject. We are delighted to say that our President, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, will start this in the March 2014 issue with a review of ‘The Birth of the Royal Marines, 1664-1802’ by Britt Zerbe. Its publishers, Boydell Press, have agreed that orders placed by Club members will benefit from a 25% reduction on the cover price of £60/$99. Membership help The Kedge Anchor is seen as a benchmark publication by sister organisations in the naval historical family, and your Editors would like to encourage members to help keep us at this forefront. We would be pleased to receive your comments on all aspects of what you wish to see, what we do best and where we can make improvements.. Have your say We would be pleased to receive contributions for publication of a fitting nature, as well as contributions to a lively Letters to the Editor column. This allows comment on all aspects of your Club, its publications, activities and events. An exciting future for The Kedge Anchor and The 1805 Club. Email: Editor: Ken Flemming on kenflemming@sky.com Consulting Editor: Randy Mafit on randym1805@aol.com FROM THE EDITOR Please note the next edition is due in March 2014. The deadline for copy will therefore be 21 February 2014. Your editors will be pleased to receive your ideas and contributions at an early date. and even as far as St Petersburg. He watched over the activities of pirates on the North African coast, and cleverly gathered and assessed valuable intelligence from all quarters. In sum, he possessed, as Earl St Vincent described, ‘the magic art of infusing the same spirit into others which inspired their own actions, exclusive of other talents and habits of business not common to naval officers.’ Nelson does seem to have pulled together everything that is positive about his 34 years of naval service, allowing his reputation to rise above that of all other naval officers of the age. This is undoubtedly why Lord Barham, the First Lord of the Admiralty, chose him to lead the scratch fleet, which was hurriedly put together to do battle with the Combined Fleet at Cadiz in a manner not dissimilar from the assembly of Task Force sent to the Falklands in 1982. We know that Nelson recognised the heavy responsibility that was being placed on him from his remark to Prime Minister William Pitt when he said that he was ‘set up as a conjurer’ to save England. Essentially, he had become the nation’s saviour. When we look at Nelson’s career it might be expected that it followed a steady upward curve, but those who know his life in more detail are well aware that there were some very serious setbacks, sometimes the result of his own doing, and that his career path was more like that of a roller coaster ride! In order to appreciate how he reached his heroic apogee after such a fluctuating, even erratic, career we should reflect on the words which conclude his fragment of autobiography, written in 1799, “Thus may be exemplified by my Life, that perseverance in any profession will most probably meet its reward. Without having any inheritance, or having been fortunate in prize-money, I have received all the Honours of my profession, been created a Peer of Great Britain, and I may say to the reader, ‘GO THOU AND DO LIKEWISE.’” The key word here is perseverance. Nelson was driven by a great need to achieve and he rarely faltered in his attempts to do so. Very rarely is this quality referred to, yet without it there would be no Immortal Memory. It is a quality that anyone young or old can aspire to and in any walk of life. It is one that makes Nelson’s story as relevant as ever. It was the main thought that ran through my mind yesterday, when for the second year running, I had the pleasure and genuine honour of laying a wreath on behalf of The 1805 Club at the foot of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square as part of the National Trafalgar Day Parade, the salute being taken by Rear Admiral S J Woodcock OBE. This is a singular and permanent privilege given to the Club. And now in a few hours’ time I shall be joined by members of the Club and others at Lord Nelson’s tomb in the crypt of St Paul’s Cathedral for the First Sea Lord’s annual Trafalgar Day wreath laying ceremony, which the Club re-modeled four years ago. Perseverance in the pursuit of our charitable objectives helped to attain these honours and perseverance will be a watchword for the Club as we move forward. With kind regards and best wishes to you all, Peter Peter Warwick Chairman The future of the Club is its young people and our Education Programme featured in the centre is vital to the efforts we are making to help give young people an interest in the heritage of the country. Your views and ideas are particularly welcome for the programme.
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