AROUND 160 sea cadets marked the 111th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar with a parade through Lydney on Sunday.

Cadets from the Forest and Ross were joined by other units from across Glouces­tershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire which make up the Sea Cadets’ Severn district.

The parade started at the Forest of Dean unit’s headquarters in Hams Road and finished at St Mary’s Church where there was a service led by the Vicar of Lydney, Rev Sarah Fenby, and the Sea Cadets’ district chaplain Rev Roger Grey.

Before entering the church, the cadets were inspected by the Lord Lieutenant of Glouces­tershire, Dame Janet Trott, the Mayor of Lydney, Cllr Bob Berryman, and the Mayor of Cinderford, Cllr Max Coborn.

The Battle of Trafalgar, in which a British fleet under Lord Nelson, defeated a combined French and Spanish force on October 21 1805, ended the threat of an invasion of Britain by Napoleon.

During the battle off the Spanish coast, Nelson sent his famous signal: “England ex­pects that every man will do his duty.”

During the service there was an imagined conversation with Nel­son with Rev Grey taking the role of the interviewer and cadet Amy Stewart that of Nelson.

It also included a tribute from ‘Nelson’ – who lost an eye and his right arm in battle – to members of the modern armed services who were injured in the course of their duty.

Following the service the cadets marched back to the town centre where Dame Janet took the salute outside the British Legion’s Watney Hall in Hill Street.

Dame Janet said: “It was a delight to be in Lydney for this special Sea Cadet Trafalgar Day celebration.

“I was impressed by the standards of the young people from across the area.

“The staff who support them should be congratulated and thanked for all they do to support them throughout the year.”

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.