James Sharman – Photo of a man who fought with Lord Nelson

I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and New Year. Maybe like myself you managed to squeeze in your 50th birthday on the 28th December.

Whilst on my way to work a few days ago I found this wonderful old photo which caught my eye.

This is the only known photograph of James Sharman. He was an experienced sailor on various ships before transferring to HMS Victory under Captain Hardy.

He reputedly helped carry a fatally wounded Nelson below deck and James himself was also wounded at Trafalgar though fortunately recovered. 

Later he served on HMS Ocean, Mildred & Prince Frederick before being discharged due to illness to Greenwich. (Also see https://stephenliddell.co.uk/2018/09/12/the-painted-hall-of-greenwich-englands-sistine-chapel/  and https://stephenliddell.co.uk/2018/09/24/up-close-and-personal-with-the-greenwich-painted-hall-ceiling/)

On the recommendation of Hardy, he was appointed the Keeper of the Norfolk Pillar (Nelson Monument) in Great Yarmouth. He was the keeper or caretaker for nearly 50 years.

Even there he was a hero and made the headlines again as he waded into action when a ship was wrecked on the beach to effect a rescue as men were being washed to see and drowning.

He died at the age of 82 and having met Charles Dickens, is immortalised again as the tragic hero Peggotty in his book David Copperfield.

You can see in his photo he proudly wears his medals including one of these wonderfully rare and now almost priceless medals awarded to those who fought with Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.