Great Yarmouth ceremony to remember navy hero Lord Nelson

A Trafalgar Day service will be held at at the town's towering monument to Nelson on Sunday, October 22 at 1pm.

The service will led by Canon Simon Ward of Great Yarmouth Minster and is open to all who wish to honour Nelson, who was killed by a French sniper at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805.

The Norfolk Naval Pillar in the South Denes area of town marks Nelson’s four main naval victories at the Nile, Copenhagen, St Vincent and Trafalgar.

The Nelson monument Picture: Anthony Carroll (Image: Archant)

It is topped with the figure of Britannia and the motto from Nelson’s coat of arms.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Nelson, who was born in Burnham Thorpe, paid visits to Yarmouth and was given a hero’s welcome on each occasion.

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The event will start with a procession from South Beach Parade to the monument.

Shots of rum - or orange juice if preferred - will be available to toast Nelson's memory.

The Royal Navy Museum's official portrait of Admiral Lord Nelson which is considered to be the best likeness of the great man (Image: Archant)
Penny Carpenter, the mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough, will lay a wreath at the base of the column on behalf of the people of the borough.  

She said: "Trafalgar Day holds a special place in our hearts as it pays tribute to the remarkable victory achieved by Admiral Lord Nelson and his brave crew at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

"It is a day when we come together as a community to honour the enduring spirit of courage, unity and resilience that has defined our great nation for centuries.

The East Norfolk Militia lead the parade to the monument at last year's service Picture: Anthony Carroll (Image: Archant)READ MORE: Hero's medals up for auction

“As well as Admiral Nelson, we remember those who gave their lives and their health to defend the essential freedoms that we treasure today.”

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The service will also include hymns and prayers.

Custodian of the Norfolk Naval Pillar, Kerry Robinson Payne, read out an account of the battle at last year's event Picture: Anthony Carroll (Image: Archant)
The pillar stands at 144ft tall and was paid for by public donations at a cost of £7,000 to commemorate Nelson after his death at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The battle saw Nelson's fleet of 27 ships decimate the combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships.

The Fall of Nelson, Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805, Dighton, Denis, circa 1825. An impression of the mortal wounding of Nelson on the upper deck of the 'Victory Picture: Submitted (Image: Archant)