Rear Admiral
1768 - 1831
Painted by John Singleton Copley
| Sir Edward Berry Rear Admiral 1768 - 1831 Painted by John Singleton Copley
|
Edward Berry was the son on a London merchant, born in 1768. Berry's father had died at an early age leaving a widow, 5 daughters and 2 sons with very little money. Edward Berry was educated by an uncle in Norwich and entered the Navy as a Midshipman in Burford through the patronage of Lord Mulgrave. He was Signal Midshipman in Duke when she attacked St. Pierre in Martinique - Berry was standing on the poop deck 'when a shot across him deprived him of all sense and feeling so that he was carried down as dead and intense was the surprise of those around him when he recovered the shock'.
Berry was promoted Lieutenant for bravery in boarding and his conduct came to the attention of Admiral Sir John Jervis. Nelson wrote to Jervis, 'I have as far as I have seen every reason to be satisfied with him, both as a gentleman and an officer'. Jervis sent Nelson's report on to the Admiralty and 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'. Lt Edward Berry was First Lieutenant to Captain Nelson in Agamemnon.
At St. Vincent, Berry, by now a Commander, was a passenger abpard Captain. When rejoining his flagship from Minerve on 13th February, Nelson was extremely pleased to find Berry aboard. In the subsequent battle, Berry had no particular duty on board. However, when Nelson laid Captain alongside the San Nicolas and gave the order for boarders, Berry was the first man over the side. With the help of soldiers from the 69th Regiment he jumped across to the San Nicolas. By the time Nelson arrived on board, Berry and the soldiers had taken possession of the poop deck and Berry was hauling down the Spanish flag. As soon as the surrender of the San Nicolas was complete, Berry and Nelson led the boarding party on to the San Josef. The Spanish Captain presented Nelson with his sword and told him that his Admiral, Don Francisco Winthuysen, was dying from his wounds.
Edward Berry was commended for his actions and promoted to Captain. He fought at the Nile and commanded Agamemnon at Trafalgar. Knighted and promoted Rear Admiral, he died in 1831.
Related links
Page creation: Peter Milford - St Vincent College, February 1997
