THE KEDGE ANCHOR Issue 61 2 Dear fellow 1805 Club members, from my view outside of our kitchen windows here in Northern Virginia, I can see our daffodils are in full bloom and the surrounding trees are bursting with pink and red blossoms. Next to our house is a small evergreen tree that is now the home of a nesting pair of house �inches; spring has arrived in this part of North America. Looking out our kitchen windows has been pretty much what I have been doing since suffering this leg injury. I don’t have to crutch too far for a cup of tea or a snack. However, whilst looking out those windows watching winter turning to spring, it has given me time to think and re�lect on many different things that have gone on in my life. One has been our Club, and how it has evolved through the years to what it has become today. I realized that what has brought our Club the success that enjoys today is due to its members. I then thought of the day when Judy and I met with the Club’s chairman, the much loved, late Colin White. At that time, Colin was director of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and he was so gracious in allowing his of�ice to be our headquarters, while we were conducting research at the museum’s library for one of my books. Judy and I were relatively new members of The 1805 Club. Because we were new members to the Club, Colin re�lected that the Club’s membership was becoming more international, and that many of those members brought with their membership more than just their enthusiasm for the Royal Navy of the Georgian era and Nelson. They brought skills to the Club, such as administration, �inance, and fund-raising. You will note in this issue of the Kedge Anchor, that the Club is looking to recruit from you, our members, for positions with the Club’s Trustees. It is certainly an opportunity for you to become more engaged in your Club. You will note that the Clerk to the Trustees is a position that provides a £500.00 annual honorarium. I am sure you will �ind this edition of the Kedge Anchor worth your while. The variety of articles found within are certainly far ranging, and of considerable interest. I think you will thoroughly enjoy fellow member, Paul Martinovich’s satirical piece on what a Royal Navy Of�icer’s duty should NOT be. It had me wondering if a twenty-�irst century version could be just as entertaining. Seeing Nelson’s Trafalgar uniform in Nelson and the Order of St Joachim brought back a memory; a memory of when I �irst saw the uniform on display. I was all of eleven-years-old [1960] standing before it, when a squeaky voice coming from behind me said, ‘Look Mummy, Napoleon!’ I quickly turned around and saw this chap wearing his knee high socks, shorts, school blazer with the school tie, and his school’s cricket cap. Confronting him I exclaimed, ‘No that’s not Napoleon! It’s Lord Nelson!’ Mummy, seeing her son confronted by an American boy speaking as though he was a young Humphrey Bogart, quickly pulled her son away. I want to personally thank fellow members, the Honorable Jarion Richardson, MP and Captain Alan Brooks, RN Rtd, for representing the Club at the annual Midshipman Dale Commemoration Ceremony at St Peter’s Church, St Georges, Bermuda. Mr. Richardson presented the Club’s wreath. Thank you Jarion and Alan. This is a signature event for the Club, as it marks the �irst of our annual commemorative events this year. Speaking of events, do look at the Club’s event diary. One event that really stands out is the Club’s Battle of the Glorious First of June luncheon. The luncheon will mark the 230th anniversary of the battle. It is being organized by the Club’s honorary Secretary, Stephen Howarth and it will be held at Langar Hall, Nottinghamshire, family home of Admiral Lord Howe. The Club’s good friend the current Earl Howe will be among the guests, and the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire will represent HM the King. Please note the update on page 11 about the status on the conservation of the St. John’s Figtree Church register and on the work by EXPLUS, the company the Club has contracted to construct the Nelson uniform display case. As for the register, Ms Alison Fairburn, the Archive Conservator at the Borthwick Institute is moving smartly on repairs. EXPLUS anticipates completing the display case by 1 April. However, we are approximately £3200/$4,000 short. We really need your help in getting us over this de�icit. Every little bit helps. Speaking of shortfalls, I am pleased that we have received a �lurry of new members (see our membership page) as well as members renewing their membership for 2024. However, many have either joined or renewed at the old rate of £40.00; the rate is now £45.00. Your Club would greatly appreciate it, if those who subscribed at the old rate would go to page 10 of this edition, you will see on the lower left a Quick Response Code – QRC. Use your camera on your phone, and SHOOT! You can donate your �iver, or equivalent in US dollars. While you are at it, why not another �iver? Then again, you can go to the links on the same page. Finally, I want to thank many of you for your well wishes regarding my recent leg injury, especially the suggestion that I should have a parrot. The surgery for repairing the ruptured right patella tendon was a success. I am hoping that I will be out of this massive leg brace by the time I attend our AGM on 25 May. I hope many of you will be able to join me then at The Army and Navy Club (The Rag). Yours aye, aka Peg Leg Johnny THE VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Captain John Rodgaard, USN (Ret) Chairman, The 1805 Club
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