Celebrating the life of our greatest hero

April 5, 2005

NELSON STREET

What kind of a country would we be living in today if it hadn’t been for Horatio Nelson, the Norwich schoolboy who grew up to become a British hero?

The men, women and children of Nelson Street can be justly proud of the fact their street was named after the man described as the greatest sea commander of all time.

Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson — the bicentenary of his death will be marked later this year.

And let’s hope they join in the Norfolk-led celebrations to mark the bicentenary of his death at the Battle of Trafalgar. He was aged just 47.

Nelson was killed in the triumph he masterminded over the combined French and Spanish fleet 200 years ago. They were out to invade our shores and Nelson stopped them.

As a result, he became our first truly popular hero among the masses.

A man of the people, a brave leader, his legend has gone on to inspire all those defending our country in battles on sea, in the air and on land.

He was also vain, complex and made his fair share of mistakes and enemies.
His notorious affair with the beautiful Emma Hamilton and his separation from his loyal wife was the talk of the land.

In fact it excluded him from sections of the establishment and society and made him more popular with the people.

Nelson was born at Burnham Thorpe in 1758. His father Edmund was a clergyman.

He went to Norwich Grammar and then on to Paston School at North Walsham.

His first contact with the Royal Navy was through his mother’s brother, Maurice Suckling, who had entered the navy as a boy in 1755.

Late in 1770, a dispute arose between Britain and Spain over the possession of the Falklands Islands and the British fleet was mobilised.

Nelson, then aged 12, wanted to go but Captain Suckling asked: “What has poor Horace done, who is so weak, that he, above all the rest, should be sent to rough it out at sea?

“But let him come and for the first time we go into action a cannon-ball may knock off his head and provide for him at once.”

Maurice had under-estimated young Horace. He may have looked frail but he was strong and brave.

He joined his uncle’s ship and launched his naval career. A tough life for a middle-class boy.

His rise through the ranks was rapid. He proved himself to be an unrivalled seaman and a man the sailors loved and respected. He treated them with dignity — and they responded.

His sea-faring battles and victories across the world made him a household name back at home. The whole country was proud of him, but especially Norfolk.

“I’m a Norfolk man and glory in being so,” he said.

His funeral was a combination of those of Princess Diana and Winston Churchill — tens of thousands mourned the warrior who had saved his country.

Heroes — they don’t come greater than Nelson.

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