Thomas Davidson.

Nelson's Last Signal at Trafalgar.
England expects that every man will do his duty.

26 x 20 inches

A large black and white photogravure, commissioned by The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News and published as a special supplement in London in 1912.

Admiral Nelson on board HMS Victory before the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Nelson speaks encouraging words to his captains, Blackwood and Hardy, whilst the crew prepare for battle and the French fleet can be seen amassed upon the horizon.

The signal to "prepare for action" having ben made at 11.30 on the morning of the ever-memorable 21st October 1805 there seemed no other signal wanting when Lord Nelson observed "I must give the Fleet something by way of a fillip. Say to them 'England expects that every man will do his duty and you must be quick'. Nelson then turning to Captains Blackwood and Hardy said "now I can do no more. We must trust to the great Disposer of all events and the justice of our cause".