Vice Admiral Sir John Lea has contacted Navy News with the definitive account of the origin of Pickle Night.

Pickle Night commemorates the arrival of the news of Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar – and his death – in Britain, thanks to a fast passage by the sloop HMS Pickle.

Admiral Lea said: “I noticed a reference to Pickle Night in your October issue, and thought you might like to know, for your records, how why and when it originated.

“I was Commodore of the Royal Naval Barracks from 1972-75. In 1974 I was able to persuade the Admiralty to allow us to become HMS Nelson.

“This had unusual problems, because personal approval had to be sought from the Queen, as her great grandfather Edward VII had decreed that the new Barracks at Portsmouth was to be known as Victory Barracks.

“The name change took place in June 1974, on the anniversary of the Battle of the Nile.

“The president of the Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers Mess, Mr Hetherington, came to see me for advice and approval for them to celebrate Trafalgar Night in 1974 in the same way as the Wardroom.

“I agreed with enthusiasm, but foresaw that there would always be difficulties in getting sufficiently prestigious guests to propose the Immortal Memory toast, as they would be in competition with the Wardroom.

“I suggested that they should instead celebrate the arrival of the news in this country in HMS Pickle, and so ensure no competition for important guests.

“I was delighted when the Mess president agreed and so started a tradition in WO and CPO Messes around the country and, I believe, in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, though I am not entirely sure about this.

“I have had the pleasure of being asked twice to propose the Immortal Memory toast in the Mess in Nelson, the last in 1991, and I was most impressed by how the tradition and ceremony at the dinner has evolved.”

The captain of the original Pickle, Lt John Lapenotiere, was promoted Commander for bringing the news of Trafalgar home and given a silver muffineer from George III’s breakfast table – and £500, roughly the equivalent of nearly £20,000 in today’s money.