TRAFALGAR DAY THOUGHTS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 250, 23 October 1942, Page 3

TRAFALGAR DAY THOUGHTS.

B.O.W.

RUGBY, Oct. 21.

On the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, representatives from the Dominions and eight Allied nations laid wreaths at the foot of Nelson 's Column after an impressive ceremony witnessed by a huge crowd. The First Sea Lord, Sir Dudley Pound, read Nelson's prayer before Trafalgar and Sir Lionel Halsey, chairman of the Navy League, said they did more than pay a tribute to the greatest British Admiral. They paid a tribute to the seamen of the British and Allied navies and merchant navies who once more constituted a barrier between a dictator and his dreams of world dominion. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Alexander, introducing a broadcast programme, traced British naval strength from Nelson's time, remarking on the striking parallel between the time of Trafalgar and the situation we recently faced after the fall of France. "Our great new ships of war, together with all the other vessels coming into commission here and in America," he said, "prove the determination of the United Nations to keep command of the seas and keep the enemy pent up, marching his strength away until the time comes to strike him down for ever. Command of the sea is as significant now as in 1805. We must ensure it, and we will. We shall preserve it until we give back to the world 'security for such as pass on the seas on their lawful occasions, security for all men to think and worship as they will, subject only to their own laws. We must see to it when that day comes, as come it will, that we too are all able to 'thank God I have done my duty. "