John Lapenotière - Hounslow
Naval Officer
Born 1770
Died 19th January 1834
Inscription reads:
The Trafalgar Way
Hounslow - Final Post-Horse Change
On Monday 21st October 1805 the Royal Navy decisively defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet off Cape Trafalgar on the south west coast of Spain. This victory permanently removed the threat of invasion of England by the armies of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The first official dispatches with the momentous news of the victory, and the death in action of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson, were carried to England on board H.M. Schooner Pickle by her captain, Lieutenant John Richards Lapenotiere.
Lapenotiere landed at Falmouth on Monday 4th November 1805 and set out "express by post-chaise" for London. He took some 37 hours to cover the 271 mile journey, changing horses 21 times. The final such change was made at Hounslow very late at night on 5th November at a cost of one pound fourteen shillings and sixpence.
Lapenotiere delivered his despatches to the Admiralty at 1 a.m. on Wednesday 6th November. The news was passed to the Prime Minister and the King at once and special editions of newspapers were published later the same day to inform the nation.
Erected by Hounslow Borough Council on 6th September 2005 to inaugurate The Trafalgar Way from Falmouth to London and to honour the men of Greater London who fought for their country at Trafalgar.
