Collingwood commemorate Trafalgar Day

On Friday 21 October the Nelson Society held a commemorative service at the Nelson Monument on Portsdown Hill to remember Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Sailors from HMS Collingwood and cadets from the establishment’s Volunteer Cadet Corps were in attendance to mark the date.

Leading the service was HMS Collingwood’s Chaplain, Reverend Adam Gay, who spoke of the relationship between Nelson and Lord Admiral Collingwood, along with the significance of his final battle.

Bugler David Navette from Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band Collingwood closed the service by playing the Last Post and Reveille.

Commander David Johnston Royal Navy, Executive Officer HMS Collingwood, laid a wreath on behalf of the Commanding Officer, Captain Andy Jordan.

Commander Johnston said “Trafalgar Day is a very important occasion for the Royal Navy.

"We meet today to commemorate and give thanks for the life of Admiral Lord Nelson, remembering his inspirational leadership, tactical brilliance and dedicated service which ensured the safety and freedom of this country for over 100 years thereafter.”

 The Monument was constructed by Nelson’s “companions in arms” following the Battle of Trafalgar as a memorial to Nelson but also serves as practical purpose as it can be seen from Portsmouth harbour where it is used as a seamark to bring the vessels safely into Portsmouth harbour.

The description on the monument reads “Consecrated to the memory of Lord Viscount Nelson by the zealous attachment of all those who fought at Trafalgar to perpetuate his triumph and their regret MDCCCV (1805)”