Blandford Men at the Battle of Trafalgar

On Monday 21st October 1805 the Royal Navy decisively defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet off Cape Trafalgar on the south west coast of Spain. This victory permanently removed the threat of invasion of England by the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte. The first official dispatches with the momentous news of the victory, and the death in action of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, were carried to England on board H.M. Schooner Pickle by her captain, Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere. Lapenotiere landed at Falmouth on Monday 4th November 1805 and set out “express by post-chaise” for London, following what is now The Trafalgar Way. He changed horses 21 times, the 12th change being made at Blandford Forum in the middle of the day on 5th November at a cost of two pounds ten shillings and sixpence. (This text is taken from the plaque at the entrance to Greyhound Yard, which was erected by Blandford Forum Town Council on 25th August 2005 to inaugurate The Trafalgar Way and to honour the men of Blandford Forum and North Dorset who fought for their country at Trafalgar.)

We were delighted to welcome Kathy Brown from the The Trafalgar Way & The 1805 Club to tell the fascinating story of Lt. Lapenotiere’s 37 hour, 271 mile journey as part of our Friday Talks series. Following on from her talk, Kathy has kindly passed on a list of Blandford men who served at Trafalgar (see below). She writes: “There may well have been more – but the Trafalgar Rolls relied on spoken records given by the crews – and there may be others who were born in villages outside Blandford etc. It would be possible, with some endeavour, to trace down the family line from these named individuals and suggest local families who are related today. This is something I’d love to be able to spend more time on – 1805 Club has a programme called ‘Sons and Daughters of Trafalgar’ which celebrates these connections. But there are only so many hours in a week!”

If you would like to make a donation to The 1805 Club’s flagship fund to help support their different projects and initiatives, including The Trafalgar Way, please visit this Website.

Blandford-born Men at Trafalgar

Frederick CHURCHILL

Born 1767, he joined the “Prince” from the “Venerable” in December 1803, with the rank of Landsman.

Joseph CLAYTON

Born 1774, he joined the “Tonnant” from the “Hector” in May 1803 and served as an Ordinary Seaman. He died on the 12th December 1808.

Edward CLINCH

Born 1781, he joined the “Dreadnought” at Port Mahon in April 1803 and served as Carpenter’s Crew.

Joseph COFFIN

Born 1782, he was pressed into the service and joined the “Ajax” from the “Salvador Del Mundo” in August 1804 with the rank of Landsman. He had been admitted to Plymouth Hospital early in 1805 with an ulcer and discharged to the “Prince Frederick” in May 1805 and then to the “Pickle” schooner, then the “Salvador Del Mundo”. He was a member of the prize crew sent to the “Intrepide” and was taken to the “Orion” on 23rd October prior to the destruction of the “Intrepide” the following day. He was returned to the “Ajax” on the 29th October 1805, and died when the “Ajax” was destroyed by fire on 14th February 1807.

John CROMIE

Born 1768, he joined the “Defence” from the “Expedition” in June 1803 and served as a Quartergunner. He was a member of the large prize crew from the 30th October on board the “San Ildefonzo” for passage to Gibraltar. He returned to the “Defence” on the 5th November 1805.

Samuel JOHNSON

Born 1770, he joined the “Victory” from the “Phoebe” in April 1804 with the rank of Able Seaman and was discharged to the “Ocean” in January 1806. He was discharged to the “Salvador Del Mundo” in July 1809. He ran from the Ship on 12th August 1809 but joined the “Armide” in October 1809. He was discharged to the “Prince Frederick” on 9th January 1812 as unserviceable.

Arthur MORRIS

Born 1778, he volunteered into the Service and joined the “Dreadnought” from the Port Mahon in April 1803 with the rank of Landsman.

William NICHOLLS

Born 1783, he volunteered into the Service and joined the “Minotaur” from the Deptford Tender in April 1803with the rank of Landsman. He ran on the 2nd November 1805 from a Prize in Spain.

James PORTER

Born 1759, he was from the Chatham Royal Marines HQ and joined the “Phoebe” in July 1802 as a Private RM.