Vice Admiral Nelson at Trafalgar, Painted, C78f

What made the frail man of 47 the idol of Britain and even now 200 years later, one of the best known and respected of Britain's military leaders? Apart from his naval skills he never forgot his voyages as a young apprentice seaman on merchant ships to the West Indies and Arctic; conditions among ordinary seaman in the merchant service were bad, but those in the Royal Navy were much worse. Discipline was harsh and maintained by the lash, working condition primitive and advancement all but impossible. But Nelson realised that it was on these terrorised men that victory in battle depended and all his life he strove to curb brutality, encourage morale and reward skill and initiative. And for this he was revered from the lowest cabin boy to the Lords of the Admiralty. Who else could have hoisted a signal to the masthead of the victory as it was about to engage the might of Spain and France at Trafalgar "England expects that every man will do his duty" and know that it would be obeyed? Perhaps it could all be attributed to the 'Nelson touch'! The figurine shows Lord Nelson as he is depicted on the top of Nelson's Column in the centre of Trafalgar Square in London.

The Nelson statue is sold on a thin 'collectors' base as standard and if you would like him on this type of 'presentation' base please check the box opposite. The bottle is designed as a visual reference to enable you to see that the figurine stands 9" tall on this base.