Battle of Trafalgar--Browne, Lieutenant George.

George III pine chest (h. 51cm, w. 80cm, d. 41cm), the hinged lid with later strengthening cross-pieces and lettering ("[H]erbert M. Thompson") , decorated with prints of four animals glued to the underside, enclosing a later removable zinc tray, zinc lining, remains of painted metal handles to the sides, with a woollen blanket covering, later embroidered with the signal "ENGLAND EXPECTS EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY", decoration refreshed

George Lewis Browne (1784-1856); his daughter Marian Thompson; her son Herbert M. Thompson (who refitted the chest for use on his honeymoon tour of Japan); direct family descent

George Lewis Browne was seventh lieutenant on the Victory at Trafalgar, and acted as second signal lieutenant watching on the poop deck as Nelson instructed John Pasco, signal lieutenant. In later life Browne claimed that Nelson had initially instructed his most famous signal to begin "Nelson expects", but that "England" was substituted as it was easier to signal.

During the battle Browne directed guns 9 to 11 on both sides of the middle deck. At the height of the engagement the starboard guns were trained on the Redoubtable. So close were the two ships that the Victory's guns touched the Redoubtable's sides and to avoid shot passing through the French flagship into the Temeraire, which had engaged her on the other side, the guns were depressed with a lower charge of powder.

Browne reflected on the victory and Nelson's leadership style in a letter to his parents:

"...The frequent communications he had with his Admirals and captains put them in possession of all his plans, so that his mode of attack was well known to every officer of the fleet. No doubt this action from the novelty of attack will be more discussed than any other that has ever been fought. Some will not fail to attribute rashness to the conduct of Lord Nelson. But he well considered the importance of a decisive naval victory at this crisis, and has frequently said since we left England that should he be so fortunate as to fall in with the enemy a total defeat should be the result on one side or the other..."

Browne's concluding comments were less prescient:

"...We have bought the remains of our deceased chief home in a butt of rum. I suppose he will be sent on shore with the honours of war, and there will be an end to all his greatness..."

Browne accompanied Nelson's body at the state funeral and then returned to sea on HMS Ville de Paris, which became Collingwood's flagship in 1809. Browne accompanied Collingwood's body back home after his death in the Mediterranean and was subsequently promoted to Commander. When he left the navy he returned to his native Somerset and pursued a successful career as a lawyer and magistrate.