Memorial to Admiral William Cornwallis unveiled at Portsmouth Royal Dockyard
A memorial commemorating a naval hero from Milford who served under Nelson during the Napoleonic Wars has been unveiled.
Following a decade-long campaign by the Milford-on-Sea Historical Record Society and the 1805 Club, a permanent tribute to Admiral Sir William Cornwallis is now on display at St Ann’s Church in Portsmouth Dockyard.
Dozens of naval and civic dignitaries attended the unveiling ceremony, including descendents of the admiral, who was commander-in-chief of the Channel Fleet during the 1803-1815 conflict and was a member of parliament for Portsmouth.
According to historic records, Cornwallis was renowned as an “energetic and successful” ship’s captain who served during the American War for Independence and in the blockade of Brest from 1803 to 1806, scuppering any plans for an invasion of England by Napoleon.
A friend of Lord Nelson, Cornwallis was renowned for his modesty, often heaping praise on his crew, and earning from them the affectionate nickname ‘Billy Blue’.
A sea shanty was written about Cornwallis during his service and he has been depicted in a Horatio Hornblower novel.
The memorial unveiling service was conducted by the Dean of Portsmouth, the Very Rev Dr Anthony Cane, alongside the Revs Phillip Amey, Adam Gay and Lynda Sebbage.
They were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson, Portsmouth mayor Tom Coles and dockyard base Captain Andrew Robinson. Also present were two descendants of Admiral Cornwallis’s brother, Karen Brett and Richard Cornwallis, who attended with his wife Anastasia.
Lymington Choral Society performed under the direction of Philip Daish-Handy and were supported by organist Timothy Rice from Sway.
The memorial tablet, unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant, is inscribed with a little-known poem by Admiral Cornwallis’ god-daughter, Theresa West, which was discovered by the historical society during their research into his life.
