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Sir Edward Berry (1768 - 1831), Rear Admiral

Edward Berry was an officer of the British Royal Navy primarily known for his role as flag captain of Real Admiral Horatio Nelson's ship HMS Vanguard at the Battle of the Nile, which led to his knighthood in 1798. He had a long naval career and also commanded HMS Agamemnon at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Berry was born in 1768, the son of a London merchant who died at an early age leaving a widow, 5 daughters and 2 sons in perilous financial circumstances. His early education was looked after by his uncle, the Rev. Titus Berry, in Norwich. It was through one of Titus Berry's former pupils Lord Mulgrave, that in 1779 Berry entered the Navy as a volunteer aboard the Burford, at the age of 11.

As a reward for his gallantry in boarding a French ship, Berry was promoted to Lieutenant on 20 January 1794 and in May 1796 was appointed to the Agamemnon with Captain Nelson, whom he followed upon his move to the Captain in June. He was soon to win the Captain's esteem, and in a letter to Admiral Sir John Jervis, Nelson wrote, 'I have as far as I have seen every reason to be satisfied with him , both as a gentleman and an officer'. On sending Nelson's report to the Admiralty, Jervis added 'Lieutenant Edward Berry, of whom the Commodore writes so highly, is a protégé of mine and I know him to be an officer of talents, great courage and laudable ambition'. Indeed, whilst Nelson was ashore during the seige of Porto Ferrajo, Berry commanded the ship in such a way as to make him the subject of his Captain's 'fullest approbation', and he received the rank of Commander on 12 November 1796.

However, whilst awaiting a posting he remained aboard the Captain during the Battle of Cape St. Vincent in February 1797. Although Berry had no specific duties during the Battle, he again displayed his courage when Nelson came alongside the San Nicholas and gave orders to board her. Wrote Nelson, 'The first man who jumped into the enemy's mizen chains was Captain Berry, late my first lieutenant; he was supported from our spritsail-yard, which hooked in the mizen-rigging'. In October of the same year, Nelson and Berry were presented to the King. When the King remarked upon the loss of Nelson's right arm, he wittily replied, indicating Berry, "But not my right hand, your majesty". It was agreed between them that when Nelson was next to hoist his flag, Berry was to be his Flag Captain.

With word of French plans to occupy Egypt, Nelson wrote to Berry in late 1797, 'If you mean to marry, I would recommend your doing it speedily, or the to-be Mrs. Berry will have very little of your company, for I am well, and you may expect to be called for every hour'. On 12 December Berry was indeed married to his cousin, Louisa Forster, and a week later appointed as Flag Captain of the Vanguard. In August 1798, the campaign culminated in the explosive Battle of the Nile, at Aboukir Bay. During this, Nelson was struck on the head by a piece of flying langridge and fell, bleeding heavily, only to be caught by Captain Berry, to whom he uttered the words "I am killed. Remember me to my wife". His wound was slight, however, and he escaped with mild concussion. He was well enough the next day to witness the shattering explosion of the French ship L'Orient. Only two of the 17 French ships escaped destruction or capture and with French losses six times greater than those of the British, it was a triumphant victory. Britain revelled in Nile memorabilia, including ceramic jugs embossed with reliefs of Nelson and Berry - 'Heroes of the Nile'.

After the Battle, Berry embarked for Britain in the Leander, carrying Nelson's despatches. During the voyage, however, the Leander was accosted and captured by one of the two surviving French ships, the 74-gun Généroux. As a result, Berry did not reach England until December, at which point the news of the Nile had already been received. However, on 12 December he was knighted and given the freedom of the city.

In the spring of 1799 he was appointed to the Foudroyant and sent to assist in the blockade of Malta. Here he assissted in the capture of the Guillaume Tell and Généroux, the two French ships that escaped the Battle of the Nile, the latter being his former captor. The following June, the Foudroyant carried the Queen of Naples from Palermo to Leghorn, but a short time later Berry returned to England.

In 1805, Berry captained Agamemnon at the Battle of Trafalgar, although he played no major role in the famous victory. In 1806 he was made a baronet and subsequently commanded the Sceptre (during 1811), Barfleur (1812) and one of the Royal Yachts. On 2 January 1815 he was made a K.C.B. and on the 19 July 1821 he became a Rear Admiral. During these years, despite constant entreaties to the Admiralty, he never took up further important postings. However, his record is exceptional. He is said to have been the only officer in the Royal Navy at the time, except Collingwood, to have had three medals, and was sucessfully involved in many major actions. He died on 13 February 1831, leaving no children.