Nelson & His World

Discussion on the life and times of Admiral Lord Nelson
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 Post subject: Captain Matthew Flinders RN
PostPosted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 1:52 pm 
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The Times reports today that a statue of Captain Matthew Flinders RN will be erected next year, the 200th anniversary of his death, outside Euston Station, underneath which he is buried.

Flinders, little known or remembered now in Britain, is greatly honoured in Australia where he is as renowned as Captain Cook for his epic circumnavigation of Australia, which established that Australia was an island. It was he who campaigned for the land to be named Australia rather than New Holland.

The Times has a Paywall but you can see a maquette of the statue here:

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/worl ... 834099.ece

An account of his amazing life and adventures can be read on wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Flinders

Flinders' beloved cat Trim, who accompanied him on many adventures, including a period of detention on Mauritius, is also commemorated, sitting alongside Flinders' statue, and has his own wiki entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trim_%28cat%29

Flinders wrote a short biography of Trim, which I, being a cat lover, have ordered.


Here is Flinders' obituary written for Trim:

TO THE MEMORY OF TRIM

The best and most illustrious of his race
The most affectionate of friends,
faithful of servants,
and best of creatures
He made the tour of the globe, and a voyage to Australia,
which he circumnavigated, and was ever the
delight and pleasure of his fellow voyagers.'

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 Post subject: Re: Captain Matthew Flinders RN
PostPosted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 2:34 pm 
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Anna,

That is most interesting and also coincidental, since I am just now reading an article in the 2010/2011 Trafalgar Chronicle (I'm a slow reader!) about Flinders. I haven't reached part two yet, which presumably mentions his burial, but I had no idea he was buried there. One is tempted to ask, 'which platform?'

However he died in 1798, so this was obviously some time before the station was built. I imagine this to be an extension of perhaps St Pancras churchyard, or another burial ground which was later built over. I'm sure others here will know.

As another cat lover, I'm glad Trim has his due and is to be commemorated with a statue.

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 Post subject: Re: Captain Matthew Flinders RN
PostPosted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 3:12 pm 
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A quick Google reveals some background to the acquisition of St James's Burial Ground by Euston Station as the railways expanded.

http://www.snrsouth.org.uk/index.php?op ... Itemid=194

As an aside, Boudicca (Boadicea) is reputedly buried under King's Cross Station - and Richard 111 was found in a car park! One wonders what other venerable bones lie under other transport hubs!

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 Post subject: Re: Captain Matthew Flinders RN
PostPosted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 8:32 pm 
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Indeed, but presumably (following recent jokes) both Flinders and Boudicca would have had to buy a ticket, instead of being given one! :D

Thanks for the added information, which contains the sad fact that no-one now knows where Flinders remains are now. At least the statue will rectify that a little.

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