The Nelson Breakfast Crew Marks Trafalgar Day

A wide variety of reasons for joining the trip from Putney Pier to Battersea

Preparing for departure at Putney Pier

October 29, 2024

The Nelson breakfast crew sailed from Putney Pier this Trafalgar Day (Monday 21 October) to enjoy a brunch at Battersea Power Station.

Organiser Hugh Thompson from Festing Road said, ”This is the 25th such Putney based event, we used to hold them in Smithfield. For some it’s a happy morning, others a salute to our history but I cannot forget that however old hat and abused the Empire is, my father, uncle, father in law , grandfather and great uncles all put their lives on the line for it. And Nelson was one of its architects.”

Others who were on the trip told why they went. John Hyatt from Clapham said, “It’s a jolly occasion, my friends go and I ‘ve been doing it for years.”

Edward Russell Walling from Tooting added, ”My father was a submarine commander in the Royal Navy, like Nelson he was also from Norfolk and was often seasick, Nelson is in my blood.”

Caroline Monty from Barnes said it was about “Fun ,friendship and a respect for history”

Round the world yachtsman Clive Fisher from Clarendon Avenue commented, “One of my most exciting experiences was being caught, like Nelsons fleet the day after, in a howling gale off Finisterre but with the help of the local coastguards I made it into Cadiz harbour. Unlike Nelson I was glad to share a drink with the Spaniards”

Billy Booth from Keswick Road says, ”For years my father worked next to Nelson’s Column so it’s part of my childhood and then I discovered the coast near Cap Trafalgar near Cadiz and have holidayed there many times.”

Anton Eisdell from Battersea added, “It’s a lovely occasion, something of great pride, something to think about”

Diane Mather from Ashlone Road agreed saying,” I love the Trafalgar Day breakfast because I have such a good time with great people - and I get to drink hot rum at 10 in the morning”

Media star Gawain Towler a school pal of Hugh’s who came over from Victoria says, “To raise a glass in the Immortal Memory of a man who through his exertions saved our country from a tyranny is a pleasure not a chore. To do so when there are those who would cancel him on a falsehood makes it a sacred duty”

Last theatrical word from David Richards of Ashlone Road,” At a time when many British people consider it appropriate to look back on the deeds of our forefathers with a sense of guilt, I praise God that thanks to the bravery of many of our past military leaders we are not speaking French or German in this sceptred isle.”