Nelson's Last Walk

On 14th September 1805 Nelson's private diary records how he arrived in Portsmouth by post-chaise (a horse drawn carriage) after leaving his home in Merton, London on the previous evening. In Portmouth he met with some of his captains and later dined onboard HMS Victory which was moored in The Solent.

The people of Portmouth filled the streets in an effort to see their hero and were rewarded with a flleeting site of Nelson, making his way through the crowds before he left the beach at Southsea.

Exactly 200 years to the day that Nelson left England for the last time, on his fateful journey towards Trafalgar, students took part in an exciting event in Portsmouth where Nelson's last walk on British soil was recreated.

Follow this link to find out how and why this event was so closely linked with Education in Portsmouth.

The day combined Nelson's Last Walk with another special event, that of Hampshire edition of The New Trafalgar Dispatch being handed to the Royal Naval Museum for safekeeping on behalf of the people of the county.

The day started bright and early at Admiral Lord Nelson School in Portmouth where a hundred students from ten local schools met with guests and gave them a warm welcome. After a breakfast buffet in the library area, expertly delivered by some of the students, everyone gathered in the large school hall for the day's events to commence.

Admiral Lord Nelson School has close links with HMS Victory, The Nelson Society and The 1805 Club. The school was proud and pleased to host the event and the picture below shows some of the work the students have produced.

On the stage were gathered (from left to right) Peter Green (as the Reverend Thomas Lancaster), Mrs Di Smith, headteacher of the school, Mr Peter Warwick (as Captain Berry), Mrs Anna Tribe - standing - Nelson's great-great-great granddaughter, Mr Peter Poland - all the way from Australia for the event - who has made a study of George Rose, one of Nelson's close friends who was with him in Portsmouth on 14 September 1805, Dr Colin White from The National Maritime Museum and Dr Alex Naylor, famous for his portrayal of Admiral Lord Nelson himself.

Each speaker gave an interesting talk and the stage event ending with Dr Alex Nayor, speaking as Nelson. The very mixed audience were hushed, totally captivated - as if it were Nelson himself speaking his thoughts aloud.

Follow this link to find out more about who was involved and what part they played in the day's events.

After this part of the day the students and guests mingled outside the school to chat and await the transport to take them on to the next destinations - the students to Old Portsmouth and guest group to The Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Mr Ian Bloomfield, taking the part of Captain Thomas Hardy spoke with the guests and students but kept a careful eye on his Admiral who he accompanied protectively for the whole day.

Nelson speaks with the students and guests

The students, tutors and guest enjoy the chance to speak with Admiral Lord Nelson.

Whilst the students were treated to an open air buffet lunch, kindly provided by The Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club the guest group travelled to the dockyard. The coach driver kept his speed to below 5 miles an hour for the entire journey so that the following post-chaise carrying Mrs Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutentant of the County, and Alex Nayor would not become lost in Portsmouth.

Once at the dockyard Hampshire's New Trafalgar Dispatch was formally handed over by Mrs Mary Fagan to Dr Campbell McMurray, Director of the Royal Naval Museum after an introduction by Dr Colin White.

Preparing to hand over The New Trafaalgar Dispatch

Unveiling the New Trafalgar Dispatch before hand over

With The New Trafalgar Dispatch safely deposited in its new home the guest group travelled to meet up the students in Old Portsmouth.

As well as the students an eager crown of onlookers had gathered in Pembroke Road and they were not disappointed as events unfolded. There was, too, a large number of the past and present Board of Admiralty attending a lunch at the The Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club and they joined the throng on the pavements, chatting with the students and onlookers.

Outside the Royal Naval Club and Royal Albert Yacht Club

At the appointed hour the sound of fife and drum could be heard as The Fort Cumberland Guard announced the arrival of the post chaise carrying Nelson and Mrs Mary Fagan.

The Fort Cumberland Guard and the post chaise

The Fort Cumberland guard were inspected by Alex Nayor as Nelson, Admiral Sir J Band, Mrs Mary Fagan - Lord Liuetenant of Hampshire and Mr Peter Green as The Reverend Thomas Lancaster. After the inspection a volley was fired in salute. To the credit of Steve and Liz Jarman the horses drawing the post chaise did not flinch a muscle.

The Fort Cumberland Guard firing a volley

The pavement and road was crowded with an excited and bustling group, including many photographers, television and press representatives but all fell quiet as Nelson addressed the crowd.

After a rousing round of applause and cheers Dr Colin White spoke from the steps of The Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club. Again the crowd fell quiet to listen before bursting into applause at the end of the speech.

Dr Colin White speaking from the steps of the club in Pembroke Road, Portsmouth

The assembly falls silent and serious to listen to Dr Colin White

The group falls silent to listen to Dr Colin White

The Fort Cumberland Guard formed up once more and Nelson, accompanied by Captains Hardy and Berry, The Reverend Lancaster and his young son started to tread once more in Nelson's steps towards the archway under the long curtain.

Once through the arch the group stopped on the newly rebuilt bridge over the moat where the Guard fired another musket volley before Nelson gave a stirring speech.

Nelson speaking from the bridge over the moat

The strong tides on the day did not allow the use of a boat to carry Nelson away so he and the group returned to the grounds of the Garrison Church where the students and gathered press had a super opportunity for photographs and to chat together again before going their separate ways.

It's interesting that in the small cemetary of the Garrison Church is buried a Hampshire man, Lewis Buckle Reeves, Second Lieutenant Royal Marines. He was onboard HMS Victory at The Battle of Trafalgar and was the last man remaining from the battle when he died in the 1861 at the age of 75.

The old and the new, the past and the present.

It all went according to plan, much to The Reverend Lancaster's relief and pleasure!

Time to relax

Nelson with Captains Hardy and Berry

And afterwards ..... the guests move off to a buffet meal at The Dolphin Hotel in Old Portsmouth where the staff joined in by wearing period costume, much to everyone's delight.

But hats off, relax, and look back on a successful day that was educational, entertaining and just plain fun.

For more images of the day please use this link (page to be created shortly)