Hi,
I am new to this forum. My name is Terry and I hail from Fort William, in Scotland.
A chance conversation some 6 months ago with my son-in-law who lives in rural Aberdeen-shire started me on a most interesting search.
He recalled a teacher at his old school mentioning that "one of Nelson's Trafalgar captains was buried at Logie Coldstone". Logie Coldstone is a tiny hamlet composed of a few houses and with a disused churchyard deep in the Aberdeen-shire countryside a few miles from my son-in-laws home.
My curiosity was aroused and during family visits to the area, I began to see what I could find. But despite several searches of the churchyard, I found nothing. Further, I was able to ascertain that all the Captains from the Battle of Trafalgar were accounted for and that none of their resting places were in Aberdeen-shire. It seemed I was chasing a wild goose.
I then discovered a 'pamphlet' published in 1906 entitled "Epitaphs and inscriptions in Aberdeenshire churchyards". The author had toured various churchyards and had noted any inscriptions from gravestones which he considered to be of interest. He described the ‘kirkyard’ at Logie Coldstone and mentioned "George Forbes" and described his gravestone as being of a "table top" construction (lying horizontally on the ground). Further, he described the inscription: To the memory of Mr.George Forbes, master in the Royal Navy, who served many years in that trade and gained high praise for his courage and conduct in many engagements, particularly in the memorable battle of Trafalgar, when Lord Nelson fell. On retiring from the service, he became tacksman of Kinord, where he died on the 11th June 1821, aged 62. And his wife Margaret Forbes, who died on 7th oct, 1847, aged 74 (‘tacksman’ was a rural rent collector.)
I made a further visit to the churchyard, now armed with the description of the type of gravestone (table top) and a variety of brushes and tools I was able to focus my search and I was eventually able to uncover the grave of George Forbes, Master of HMS Swiftsure during the battle of Trafalgar.
The inscription is only just barely visible. Given that the stone lies horizontally, then I assume that it has been more vulnerable to the ravages of atmospheric acids than a vertical stone. In 1907 when the author of the pamphlet would have visited the churchyard, then I assume that the inscription was perfectly legible.
The ‘National archives’ give the additional information:
George Forbes. Ship: HMS Swiftsure Rank/Rating: Master HMS Bombay Castle 25 September 1787 to 11 November 1788 Rank/rating: Able Seaman 12 November 1788 to 15 September 1791 Rank/rating: Quartermaster'sMate HMS Orion 16 September 1791 to 3 November 1792 Rank/rating: Quartermaster HMS Edgar 28 April 1795 to 16 May 1795 Rank/rating: Able Seaman 17 May 1795 to 29 July 1795 Rank/rating: Midshipman 30 July 1795 to 18 January 1796 Rank/rating: Acting Lieutenant HMS Beaver 19 January 1796 to 20 November 1799 Rank/rating: Master HMS Hindostan 21 November 1799 to 19 April 1804 Rank/rating: Master HMS SwiftsureShip's pay book number: (SB 13) 22 August 1804 to 27 November 1807 Rank/rating: Master HMS Valiant 23 December 1807 to 22 January 1808 Rank/rating: Master HMS San Antonio 3 February 1808 to 14 December 1809 Rank/rating: Master
So, no “Captain of the Trafalgar battle” but nonetheless perhaps someone who made a mark. I know little of the skills and contribution of the ‘master’ of a Royal navy ship of the line, but I can only guess that they possessed formidable character and skill. Now I have a personal dilemma. Having ‘found’ George Forbes, do I just allow the mosses to once again obliterate his gravestone, this time forever, or perhaps I could purchase a modest plaque with the original engraving and affix it to the stone. Of course, I should attempt to track down any relatives and also obtain permission from the graveyard authorities before going any further.
What do you think? Is he part of history or just a very minor player who should be allowed to drift back into obscurity?
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