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On the 21st October 1805 victory was secured at the Battle of Trafalgar.
Victory, however, had come at great cost with the death of Lord Horatio Nelson.
News of the victory at and the death of Lord Nelson were rushed by ship to Falmouth.
Victory, however, had come at great cost with the death of Lord Horatio Nelson.
News of the victory at and the death of Lord Nelson were rushed by ship to Falmouth.
The captain of HM Schooner Pickle, @LtLapenotiere, rode express for London.
Setting out from Falmouth on 4th November 1805 in a post chaise and four, he took some 37 hours on the 271 mile journey, changing horses 21 times.
Setting out from Falmouth on 4th November 1805 in a post chaise and four, he took some 37 hours on the 271 mile journey, changing horses 21 times.
One of these was late on 5th November at Bagshot.
As the horses were not yet spent, he sped on through Egham, passing at 5pm, towards Staines where he made his 20th change.
Lapenotiere delivered his dispatches to the Admiralty at 1a.m. on 6th November.
As the horses were not yet spent, he sped on through Egham, passing at 5pm, towards Staines where he made his 20th change.
Lapenotiere delivered his dispatches to the Admiralty at 1a.m. on 6th November.
Over the following four weeks other important messages arrived from the fleet with further details of the victory and anxiously awaited information on casualties. All the dispatches were landed at Falmouth.
Their couriers took the same route through Egham, where horses and hospitality were available from the inns to all travellers on what is now, @TheTrafalgarWay
A plaque outside the new Kings Arms pub in the High Street commemorates the bicentenary of the Battle and honours the men of Surrey who fought for their country at Trafalgar.
It is one of a series of commemorative plaques giving details of Lapenotiere's journey.
It is one of a series of commemorative plaques giving details of Lapenotiere's journey.
The people of Egham once again await the return of @LtLapenotiere, as he retraces his route and brings the important news of Trafalgar. Do give his account a follow to catch-up on his full journey.
Equally, give our friends @TheTrafalgarWay a follow - they do sterling work!
Equally, give our friends @TheTrafalgarWay a follow - they do sterling work!
