Uniforms Of Nelson’s Time

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31588, 27 January 1968, Page 5

Uniforms Of Nelson’s Time

staJp STORY

(Specially written for “The

Frtss” bu KENNETH ANTHONY) H.M.S. Victory, Nelson’s famous flagship at Trafalgar, is depicted on a British halfcrown stamp first issued in May, 1951. But to see a picture of men who are still regularly attired in uniforms which are replicas of those worn by naval ratings in Lord Nelson's time, the stamp collector must turn to Barbados in the West Indies. The island has now issued a set of four special stamps to tell the world about the harbour police of Bridgetown, the capital. The force was first formed 100 years ago; and their duties include prevention of smuggling, the protection of marine property and the enforcement of quarantine regulations. With the opening in 1961 of a fine new deep-water harbour, with accommodation for up to eight ocean-going vessels at once, their work has become still more important. Barbados has other connections with Lord Nelson, too. In Trafalgar Square, Bridgetown, stands a statue to the admiral erected 27 years be-

fore the more famous one in Trafalgar Square, London. The planters of Barbados put it up in 1813 in grateful recognition of the man who saved their island from the French. This statue was shown on stamps as long ago as 1906 when Barbados issued a little belatedly, a set of seven values to mark the centenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Today the harbour policeman, in his picturesque jacktar uniform, complete with bell-bottoms and straw hat, is a living reminder of the links with Nelson. Smart, efficient and helpful, he has become so much a part of the Barbados scene that he has been adopted as the symbol of the Barbados Tourist Board. The 50c value of the new set, illustrated here, shows three of them on duty at the entrance to the harbour police station in Bridgetown.