Sir Harry Burrard Neale: the admiral
Harry Burrard, son of the Governor of Yarmouth Castle, was born in the Castle and educated at Christchurch Grammar School. He joined the Royal Navy in 1778 and went on to have a glittering naval career, rising to be a Lord of the Admiralty and subsequently Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet.
He achieved national prominence in 1797, for his role in quelling the mutiny at the Nore – an anchorage in the Thames Estuary.
Sir Harry was also Mayor of Lymington and an MP for the town for no fewer than 25 years over a period of 45 years. Walhampton House (now occupied by Walhampton School) was his family home.
Walhampton Monument
The Walhampton Monument (below) – for which the foundation stone was laid in September 1840 and which was completed in 1842 – is a particularly fine 76ft obelisk displaying plaques on its four sides that record different aspects of Sir Harry’s life.
It is the 250th anniversary of Sir Harry’s birth during 2015, which is being commemorated by the Burrard-Neale 250 group, with support from our Sustainable Communities Fund. The fund has provided £18,500 towards the restoration of the monument and surrounding area, and our archaeologist has offered expert advice to the volunteers.
As well as restoration of the monument, there have also been a series of events, concerts and walks throughout 2015 to celebrate the life of Lymington’s most famous son.
