Anna
When you have done searches in Times Online - have you selected it to show "Newest first"?
I just did that and the transcript of the letter came up easilly:
Quote:
Sir, While it is to be hoped that the splendid Union Jack flown by HMS Spartiate at Trafalgar, and auctioned on Wednesday, can stay in England, it is not “the last surviving” such flag (“Trafalgar flag’s £320,000 auction sets scene for battle over export,” Oct 21).
The Spartiate shared the glory of capturing the Spanish 80-gun ship Neptuno with HMS Minotaur. The 20-year-old master’s mate of the Minotaur, Stephen Hilton, bore back in triumph to his home village of Selling, Kent, both the Neptuno’s Spanish ensign and the Minotaur’s Union Jack. The two flags hung side by side in the Hilton Chapel of the parish church for more than 200 years, and have only recently been taken down for restoration work. Remarkably, two of Stephen’s brothers also fought at Trafalgar, George on HMS Africa and Robert on HMS Swiftsure. Their combined prize money paid for a fashionable extension to a house in the village — still known as Trafalgar House.
Edward Peters
Selling, Kent
MB