The Village Voice Dec 18 Jan 19

CORNWALLIS REMEMBERED
Admiral Sir William
Cornwallis
(1744-1819) was one
of Milford’s most
distinguished
residents.
The Milford-on-Sea
Historical Record
Society (Reg Charity
no. 1177587), is leading the preparations for
next year’s commemoration of Cornwallis’
bicentenary and celebration of the strong naval
tradition of the area. We are fortunate to have
the active support of The 1805 Club, the New
Forest National Park Authority, the St Barbe
Museum and Art Gallery, Milford-on-Sea Parish
Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Since 1066, there have been three times when
England has been under serious threat of
imminent invasion: the first was against the
Armada sent by Philip of Spain in 1588; the
most recent in 1940 when Hitler assembled his
forces in the continental ports opposite the
English coast; and, sometimes forgotten, in
1803/5, we stood alone against Napoleon as he
planned his invasion of England.
Napoleon had to gain naval control of the
English Channel to execute his invasion plans,
saying “Let us be masters of the Channel for six
hours and we are masters of the world."
It was Admiral Cornwallis, as Commander in
Chief of the Channel Fleet, who was “responsible
both for successfully preventing the French
invasion of Britain and deciding on the necessity
of creating and dispatching to Spanish waters
the nucleus of that fleet that Nelson was to
command at Trafalgar” Alan Schom, “Trafalgar
Countdown to Battle 1803-1895.”
Between 1800 to 1809 the congregation of
Milford church included three admirals:
Cornwallis, Peyton and Man. Each played a
significant role in the wars with France and will
feature in the exhibition.
Dates for your Diary
- Service of Commemoration
On the 5 th July 2019 there will be a service at All
Saints Church, Milford.
- Commemorative weekend activities 5th to
7th July 2019
• See a re-enactment of the arrival of the news
of Trafalgar, and events on Milford village
green.
• Explore our local naval history at Buckler’s
Hard.
• Visit a Royal Navy craft moored at Lymington.
• Walk a part of the Naval Heritage trail
between Milford and Buckler’s Hard, taking in
Lymington, Boldre and Baddesley.
- Exhibition from 4 th June to 31 st August 2019
Planning is well advanced with St Barbe
Museum and Art Gallery and the New Forest
National Park to organise an exhibition
celebrating the strong local links with the navy
of Cornwallis’ time, the role played by the New
Forest and the contributions made by the three
Milford admirals as well as others in the area.
We are working hard to fund the entire project
through individuals, charities and organisations
with strong ties with our nautical tradition or
with Hampshire. While we have received
generous support so far, we are continuing to
seek funding for the project, especially the
exhibition. If you are able to make a donation
towards the bicentenary events, please use the
contact details below.
Thank you for your support.
Contact Chris Sanders at the following email
address: chris@moshrs.org.uk
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