Sent to sea at the age of twelve, he discovered a passion for sailing, but never truly discovered his sea legs, and suffered from seasickness all of his life.

Despite his ill health and short stature - 5ft 4in - Nelson moved swiftly up the ranks due to the fact he was an amazing tactician, a skill ably demonstrated in the battle of the Nile in 1798.

Although he married Frances Nisbet in 1784, his great love was Emma, Lady Hamilton who he met in Naples in 1793. He later abandoned his wife to be with her.

Nelson lost the sight of his right eye at the battle of Calvi in Corsica, and his right arm at Santa Cruz in Tenerife.

Two years after war broke out with France in 1803, Nelson, commanding HMS Victory, fought the battle of Trafalgar off the southern coast of Spain. Before the battle, Nelson sent his famous signal to the Fleet: "England expects that every man will do his duty". It was at the height of the battle that Nelson was shot and killed. His body was sent back to England, preserved in a barrel of brandy.

He was buried in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, but if the legends of the Ghosts of Albion are to be believed, his battles were far from over.