200 years after Trafalgar, the heroic deeds of a Durham man are recalled

For a hero of that mighty conflict was a son of Heighington - William Pryce Cumby.

The bravery and sacrifice of many men caught up in the epic struggle has tended to be obscured by the charisma - and death during the battle - of Admiral Lord Nelson.

To some extent, Cumby is one of those largely forgotten men.

He took command of one of the warships when her captain was killed and - despite coming under horrific enemy attack - went on to lead his ship to victory.

Others performed similar heroic acts.

But such was Nelson's standing within the country, the main focus of attention was directed towards the loss of such a great man.

The Battle of Trafalgar was fought on October 21, 1805. Yet it was November 6 before news of the victory over the French and Spanish fleets was published in London.

But there was little celebration. This quickly gave way to public grief at the death of Nelson.

The anniversary is also important to the Rev Hilary Jackson - a former vicar of Heighington and author of two publications about Cumby.

His interest in the naval officer was sparked when he arrived in the village in 1966 and saw a poignant memorial to Cumby in the Parish Church of St Michael's.

The eloquent tribute - a gift from his brother officers - made its mark on Mr Jackson.

When he subsequently came to know a descendant of Cumby, the die was cast.

Researching the history of the man became almost a life's work and provided much occupation after his retirement from the church in 1982.

The descendant was Cumby Spurrier, a vicar at Staindrop and Gilling West, who retired to live in the ancestral home built for Cumby in Heighington - Trafalgar House.

Cumby's great-grandson had a lot of memorabilia, most of which he was intending to dispose of.

"I asked him to let me see it before he did so in case there was anything of historical interest," said Mr Jackson, who now lives in Cockerton, Darlington.

"I was able to study and write up the history from that point through sorting out his family papers."

He has actually handled the papers of Capt John Cooke, captain of HMS Bellerophon, of which Cumby, at the age of 34, was first lieutenant.

Before the fateful battle, Cumby was quick to spot the signal flags of the enemy and his ship was one of those sent ahead to keep watch.

Nelson's famous "England expects" message was received with cheers from the crew and after the enemy was sighted, Cumby wrote: "I knelt by my cot and put up a brief but fervent prayer to the great God of battles for a glorious victory."

The Bellerophon was soon embroiled in heavy engagements with both French and Spanish ships.

Capt Cooke was shot and Cumby assumed command as some of the fiercest fighting raged around him.

He was later to learn that at the time of Cooke's death, the Bellerophon's situation was far graver than that of any other British ship during the whole of the battle.

A classic example of his bravery comes from his own words describing one fierce engagement: "She threw many hand grenades on board us. Some of these exploded and dreadfully scorched several of our men; one of them I took up myself from the gangway where the fuse was burning and threw it overboard."

The lieutenant walked the decks encouraging the crew and earned praise for his coolness under pressure by holding fire on a French captain he had in the sights of his musket.

He had been "struck by the Frenchman's gallantry in animating and encouraging his men".

The battle had started around noon and shortly after 4pm enemy ships began to withdraw.

Of the 540 men aboard the Bellerophon, 27 officers and men died and 126 were wounded.

The ship arrived back in England on December 28, at which point Cumby learned he had been promoted to commander and on January 1, 1806, he was appointed post-captain.

After Trafalgar, Cumby served with distinction until 1815, after which he became a gentleman landowner.

He had vigorously fought for help for the victims of the battle, writing appeals to Lloyds Patriotic Fund on behalf of injured crew members and their families.

Cumby's mother had been born Eleanor Jepson, of Heighington, who married Lt David Pryce Cumby in 1769.

Young William grew up in the village before joining the navy at the age of eight. He returned in 1815.

He actually lived in Middleton Tyas for some years, but inherited the Cumby estate in 1827 and then made his home in the village, becoming a highly respected member of the community.

Recalled to service and promoted to captain superintendent at the Pembroke naval dockyard in 1837, he died aboard ship, still in the service he loved and to which he had dedicated his life.

He is buried in Pembroke Dock cemetery.

Of Cumby's legacy, Mr Jackson said: "To the old standards, Cumby is still very important.

"One of the reasons I wrote the history was so that the traditions which stem from him could be kept up, one being the flag of St George flying from the church tower on Trafalgar Day."

He said that these days, the church and the local school keep Cumby's memory alive.

Mr Jackson will add to that on October 16 when he delivers the annual heritage lecture at St Michael's.

Needless to say, the subject will be Trafalgar and Cumby.

* A County Durham Man At Trafalgar - Cumby of the Bellerophon by Hilary W Jackson is published by the Durham County Local History Society and costs £4.

* Cumby's involvement is also documented in Voices from the Battle of Trafalgar by Peter Warwick, published by David and Charles, £19.99