21st October 1805 saw the defeat of the Franco-Spanish fleet by a Royal Navy Fleet commanded by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson. The victory effectively finished the French Emperor Napoleon’s ability to fight at sea and as importantly, resupply his land forces by sea. Sadly at the moment of victory Nelson, standing on the deck of his flagship, HMS Victory, was shot and killed by a French sharpshooter from high in the rigging of the French Battleship Redoutable. The victory and the loss of Nelson, who was already regarded as a national hero, established the battle as key moment in British History.
By Daniel MacLise, Walker Art Gallery Liverpool (Public Domain)
The victory also ushered in a period that led right up to the start of the Great War in 1914 when the Royal Navy really did “Rule the Waves” and the British Empire was perhaps at its zenith. It is therefore understandable that the country celebrated the centenary in 1905 with great gusto.
As the centenary approached committees were set up across the country to organise events and celebrations. In London Nelson’s Column was decorated and acted as a focal point for events but across the nation and the Empire the event was marked.
Musically, there were many concerts with the singing of patriotic songs but most notably the first performance of Sir Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs conducted by the composer. The piece is of course now a standard part of the annual Last Night of the Promenade Concerts at the Albert Hall.
There were many naval displays and on the night of 21st HMS Victoryin Portsmouth was illuminated by electric lighting the current being supplied by a torpedo boat moored alongside.
Even here in Mountsorrel, in the heart of landlocked Leicestershire, the event was marked by celebrations across the village. Celebrations actually began on the Thursday with pupils at both St Peter’s and Christ Church Schools being presented with keepsakes purchased by the Mountsorrel Granite Company and given out at the two schools by Robert Edmund and William Francis Martin. The boys were given a Trafalgar Medal and the girls a Trafalgar broach. These contained some of the copper from the hull sheathing of HMS Victory but as they were widely available across the country the amount of original copper must have been very small!
The 21st October, was a Saturday and with many houses decorated with patriotic emblems the celebrations commenced with the pupils of both schools, many carrying flags, assembling on the Green. There the Headmaster of Christ Church School, Mr Mosedale, conducted the pupils in singing “The Death of Nelson” with music provided by the St Peter’s String Band. A parade then formed up and led by the Mountsorrel Brass Band, moved off down to the Market Place. Here there was more singing by the pupils, this time conducted by Mr Wagstaffe, Headmaster of St Peters.
After that everyone progressed down to the Drill Hall where tea had been arranged, paid for by the Granite Co, but made and served by a “Ladies Committee”. Some 570 attended and took tea with some 60 ladies and other helpers doing the work.
After refreshments the pupils and orchestra entertained those present with nautical music and again singing “The Death of Nelson” along with, “Ye Mariners of England” and Rudyard Kipling’s, “Lest We Forget”. An address was given by Mr RE Martin on Nelson and the battle.
The celebrations closed about 7:00pm with a vote of thanks to the Granite Co., The Ladies Committee and the Headteachers followed by the singing of the National Anthem.
To close the day the bells of St Peter’s were rung in a celebratory peal.