LINK WITH TRAFALGAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 450, 16 December 1930, Page 10

LINK WITH TRAFALGAR

NELSON’S FAMOUS MESSAGE The recent 125th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar held an unusual interest to Vancouver, for James Sibbald, a resident of that city, is the grandson of the midshipman who sent Nelson’s famous message, “England expects that every man this day will do his duty.” It was also Midshipman James Sibbald who placed his kitbag to support Nelson’s head, as the hero of Trafalgar lay dying. The grandson was born in Ontario, his father, William .Sibbald, having settled there in 1842. ExAlderman J. A. Paton is also connected with this family, being a cousin of the president, Mr Sibbald. The James Sibbald who was’ with Nelson was one of a family of nineteen, fifteen of whom were in the army or navy. In fact, it was said of the father, William Sibbald of Gladswood, “Admiral of Leith.” that he supplied more officers for England than any other man. James Sibbald joined the navy at the age of 35 and was about 17 when the battle of Trafalgar took place. He had also fought with Nelson at the battles of the Nile and Copenhagen. He later obtained his captaincy at the age of 36, and was sent to China. His son. William, was the father of the present Junies Sibbald, ami his brother Brigadier General Hugh Sibbald was the first man killed in the Indian MuThe family belong to the Sibbalds

of Balgonie, and the name, as Saebauld, figures twice in the list of early British kings. Elizabeth, a daughter of Sir Andrew Sibbald, of Balgonie, married George Douglas, Earl of Angus* Their son. Archibald, was grandfather of that Archibald who married Margaret, Queen Dowager of Scotland, and whose daughter, Lady Margaret Douglas, was wife of Matthew, Earl of

Lennox, and mother of Henry, Lori Darnley, husband of Mary Q UCCn Scots, anti father of James VI. “So that,” says Nisbet (vol. 11). “of this ancient family of Sibbald oi Balgonie, not only the Royal Family of Great Britain are descended, l» most all the crowned !>eads of Euro|i( who have intcr-marricd with that set ene house.”