Wall memorial in Heighington, Durham, commemorating Captain William Pryce Cumby RN d. 1837
Location
St Michael's Church, Heighington, Durham, England
Transcript
'SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF / CAPTAIN WILLIAM PRYCE CUMBY R.N., C.B. / WHO DIED AT PEMBROKE / CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDANT OF THE NAVAL ARSENAL / AND IN COMMAND OF THE ROYAL SOVEREIGN YACHT / XXVII SEPTEMBER MDCCCXXXVII AGED LXVI / IN THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR / WHERE AT AN EARLY PERIOD OF THE ENGAGEMENT / HE SUCCEEDED TO THE COMMAND OF THE BELLEROPHON OF 74 GUNS, / WHICH WAS THEN OPPOSED IN THE HOTTEST OF THE ACTION / TO A SUPERIOR FORCE / BEING IN CONTACT WITH THE FRENCH SHIP L'AIGLE, / CLOSELY ENGAGED WITH THE SPANISH SHIP EL MONARCA / AND EXPOSED TO THE FIRE OF SEVERAL OTHER SHIPS OF THE ENEMY'S LINE / HE NOBLY MAINTAINED THE UNEQUAL CONTEST, / DISPLAYING IN THIS CRITICAL POSITION / A SKILL AND VALOUR WORTHY OF THE EVENTFUL DAY / AND ANIMATED BY HIS EXAMPL E/ THE VICTORIOUS EFFORTS OF HIS GALLANT CREW. / AT THE CAPTURE OF THE CITY OF ST DOMINGO / HE ACQUIRED ADDITIONAL DISTINCTION / BY THE GREAT ABILITY WITH WHICH HE CONDUCTED / THE OPERATIONS OF THE NAVAL FORCE / AND BY HIS HUMANITY TO THE VANQUISHED / ON THEIR SURRENDER TO BRITISH ARMS / IN HIS PROFESSION / HIS CONSIDERATE CARE FOR THE COMFORTS / OF THOSE UNDER HIS COMMAND / SECURED HIM THE SERVICE OF ATTACHED HEARTS. / PRIVATE LIFE / HIS CHEERFUL TEMPER AND SOCIAL KINDNESS / ENDEARED HIM TO ALL CLASSES / IN AND AROUND THIS VILLAGE, / WHERE HIS VIRTUES AND UNAFFECTED PIETY / DIFFUSED THE CALM ENJOYMENTS OF DOMESTIC PEACE / OVER HIS HAPPY HOME' [Motto on a scroll] 'VIRTUTE ET OPERA'
Details
Type: Wall memorial
Artists: John Ternouth
Vessel: HMS Bellerophon, Royal Sovereign
Event
Battle of Trafalgar
Event Date
1805
Event Category
1803-1815 Napoleonic War
People
Age: 66
Date of Death: 27/9/1837
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Captain RN
Organisation: Royal Navy