[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Red Devil

Strange how times change. Bush is reviled politically by the less older. BUT was a genuine WW2 ace who fought and was nearly killed for his country.

But today, drug baron, users, murderers, footballers and terrorists and so called 'celebs' are called heroes!!! People today don't know the meaning of the word.

I see you have Nelson on your signature. Can you tell me exactly what Nelson said to Lt Hardy, as he lay dying?

Several versions of the death of Lord Nelson are extant, including that of the Doctor, William Beattie, who attended him in the cockpit along with the other 40+ wounded. Captain Hardy, himself wounded lightly in the foot, returned twice in the course of two hours as the battle raged, to convey reports of the battle and to hear Nelson's concerns regarding his final affairs. Ever cool and twice wounded losing an eye and arm in the service of England, Nelson was a pragmatic man: "... strikingly characteristic of the great man, and strongly marking that energy and reflection which in his heroic mind rose superior even to the immediate consideration of his present awful condition.
While the men were carrying him down the ladder from the middle deck, His Lordship observed that the tiller-ropes (the helm had been shot away) were not yet replaced; and desired one of the midshipmen stationed there to go upon the quarter-deck and remind Captain Hardy of that circumstance, and request that new ones should be immediately rove. Having delivered this order, he took his handkerchief from his pocket and covered his face with it, that he might be conveyed to the cockpit at this crisis unnoticed by the crew." http://www.aboutnelson.co.uk/death.htm Lord Nelson and Captain Hardy shook hands again: and while the Captain retained his Lordship's hand, he congratulated him even in the arms of Death on his brilliant victory; "which," he said, "was complete; though he did not know how many of the Enemy were captured, as it was impossible to perceive every ship distinctly. He was certain however of fourteen or fifteen having surrendered." His Lordship answered, "That is well, but I bargained for twenty:" and then emphatically exclaimed, "Anchor, Hardy, anchor!" To this the captain rep[lied: "I suppose, my Lord, Admiral Collingwood will now take upon himself the direction of affairs." - "Not while I live, I hope, Hardy!" cried the dying Chief; and at that moment endeavoured ineffectually to raise himself from the bed. "No," added he; "do you anchor, Hardy."

Captain Hardy then said: "Shall we make the signal, Sir?" - "Yes," answered his Lordship; for if I live, I'll anchor." The energetic manner in which he uttered these his last orders to Captain Hardy, accopanied with his efforts to raise himself, evinced his determination never to resign the command while he retained the exercise of his transcendant faculties, and that he expected Captain Hardy still to carry into effect the suggestions of his exalted mind; a sense of his duty overcoming the pains of death. he then told Captain Hardy, "he felt that in a few minutes he should be no more;" adding in a low tone, "Don't throw me overboard, Hardy." (As they had done with his personal secretary-cut in two by a cannon shot) The Captain answered: "Oh! no, certainly not." - "Then," replied his Lordship, "you know what to do: and," continued he, "take care of my dear lady Hamilton, Hardy; take care of poor Lady Hamilton. Kiss me, Hardy."

The Captain now knelt down, and kissed his cheek; when his Lordship said, "Now I am satisfied. Thank God, I have done my duty." Captain Hardy stood for a minute or two in silent contemplation: he then knelt down again, and kissed his Lordship's forehead. His Lordship said: "Who is that?" The Captain answered: "It is Hardy;" to which his Lordship replied, "God bless you, Hardy!" After this affecting scene Captain Hardy withdrew, and returned to the quarter-deck, having spent about eight minutes in this his last interview with his dying friend." By some accounts then, Lord Nelson had two visits from Captain Hardy who had arduous duty that day! The first: 1 hour and 10 minutes after the Admiral's wounding and the second: some 50 minutes later for a short duration of 8-10 minutes...as in the above scenario. Lord Nelson was shot from the Mizzen mast of the French ship engaged by HMS Victory. On a tour of Windsor and St Paul's Cathedral where he is buried, I noted the "ball that killed Nelson" on display.