Guests to the Lodge of Seafarers’ annual Trafalgar Memorial Dinner were treated to the amusing sight of Admiral Lord Nelson reincarnated in his little-known ‘Red Jacket’.
Complete with one arm and one eye, a rendition was given of ‘Hardy sees Red’ by the Ship’s surgeon and the WM.
Before the Battle – Hardy sees red.
Hardy was on the deck just as they were going into the historic battle of Trafalgar when out walks Nelson wearing his bright red jacket.
Hardy asks Nelson if he can speak freely,
Nelson says, “Of course, Hardy!”
“Well,” says Hardy, “don’t you think that wearing such a bright colour going into battle makes you such an easy target for a sniper?”
“Ahh,” says Nelson “, there are two excellent reasons for wearing red:
· Firstly, the men will think exactly like you but, realising that I am still prepared to wear it – It will raise their morale.
· Secondly, should a stray bullet enter my body, the red will cover the sight of any blood, therefore not lowering the men’s morale.”
Hardy is most impressed, “that’s excellent, sir. Will you excuse me?”
“Where are you going?” enquires Nelson
Hardly replies, “I’m just going to change into my brown trousers.”
After the various readings by members of the crew and a toast to ‘The Immortal Memory’, there followed several sea shanties, which culminated in the Seafarers’ Choir singing to the guests.