"NELSON'S BUTTONS"

two pairs of octagonal linked blue buttons, faintly embossed with floral motif, attached to alleged provenance to a 'bosun Bussey' and dated for February 1847, mounted in clip frame; together with a facsimile pass to Nelson's funeral; and a silver "Trafalgar" shilling

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Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club, Portsmouth

A careful search of Victory's Trafalgar muster list found no member of the ship's company named 'Bussey'; the Boatswain, William Wilmet, was appointed 14th March 1805, was wounded in action 29th March 1805 but remained aboard and was supported by four Boatswain's Mates, none of whose names were remotely similar to 'Bussey'. The Trafalgar Roll records that Wilmett performed distinguished service during the battle. Was severely wounded in the thigh, but demanded to remain on duty till the end of the fight. Coupled with the facts that Nelson was using a white chemise and waistcoat, no other buttons like these have been identified with Nelson and the unlikely scenario that a boatswain would be passed intimate relics of the Admiral strongly suggest these are one of the many so-called Nelson 'relics' that began to circulate without plausible credence shortly after his death, and which continue so to do.