UKNDA (UK National Defence Association)
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UKNDA PRESS RELEASE: NELSON IS BRITAIN'S GREATEST EVER MILITARY HERO |
NEWS RELEASEThursday 7 August 2008NELSON IS BRITAIN’S GREATEST EVER MILITARY HEROPoll shows that most Britons rate the hero of Trafalgar above Wellington, Montgomery and Richard the Lionheart Admiral Lord Nelson is the people’s choice as Britain’s greatest ever military hero.
In a poll by ComRes for the United Kingdom National Defence Association [UKNDA] (www.uknda.org), Nelson has beaten other famous British warriors such as Montgomery of Alamein and the Duke of Wellington to be hailed as the nation’s best-loved military leader.
Richard the Lionheart, ‘Bomber’ Harris and Falklands hero Colonel H Jones are also among the heroes most respected and admired in Britain today.
A national icon since his death in battle two centuries ago, Lord Nelson comfortably tops the poll across all age groups from 18 upwards, but his highest rating is from the younger generation (ages 18-24), 44% of whom say he is the greatest hero of all time.
However, almost a quarter of young adults say they “don’t know” who is the best of Britain’s past heroes – perhaps reflecting changing values in society, in which military leaders are no longer praised and ‘social’ history takes the place of traditional history teaching in schools.
Britain’s greatest military heroes – according to the ComRes poll – are:
The UKNDA, which campaigns for sufficient, appropriate and fully-funded Armed Forces, welcomed Nelson’s poll triumph. UKNDA spokesman Andy Smith commented: “I’m not surprised that Horatio Nelson has been voted Britain’s greatest ever military hero. “Nelson was a brilliant naval commander and a charismatic leader who won a series of battles against Britain’s enemies, culminating in the decisive British victory over a combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805 – tragically dying from his wounds at the moment of victory. Trafalgar put an end to Napoleon’s plans for the invasion of Britain, and ensured British dominance of the world’s oceans for the rest of the 19th century. It is right and proper that Nelson is still so admired by people in Britain today.”
Commenting on the present state of the UK’s Armed Forces, Smith added: “It’s a pity that governments in recent years have been less committed to the Defence of the Realm than were their predecessors in Nelson’s day. Today’s Royal Navy is seriously under-funded and over-stretched, as are all of our Armed Forces. I wonder what Nelson would say about that!”
-Ends For further information or interview opportunities please contact:
Cdr. John Muxworthy, CEO, UKNDA, tel 01264 860693, email ceo@uknda.org
Andy Smith, PRO, UKNDA, tel: 07737 271676, email pro@uknda.org
Editor’s Notes:
1.The United Kingdom National Defence Association (UKNDA) was formed in 2007 to campaign for sufficient, appropriate and fully-funded Armed Forces, which will require an increase to at least 3% of GDP (as opposed to barely 2.2% at present) – i.e. an increase on present rates of at least 40%. UKNDA's President is Winston S. Churchill, the former Conservative MP, war correspondent, and grandson of Britain’s wartime Prime Minister. Patrons include three former Chiefs of the Defence Staff – Lords Guthrie, Craig and Boyce – as well as former Labour Foreign Secretary Lord Owen and former Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Menzies Campbell. Please see www.uknda.org. 2.The poll was carried out by ComRes on behalf of the UKNDA between 1st and 3rd August 2008 and comprised telephone interviews with 1,006 adults throughout the United Kingdom. Please see www.comres.co.uk for further details, or email greig@comres.co.uk |