Folios 473-474: John Pilfold, Horsham. Asks for the enclosed Memorial to be presented...

Folios 473-474: John Pilfold, Horsham. Asks for the enclosed Memorial to be presented to the Admiralty.

Folios 475-476: enclosure with folios 473-474. Undated petition from John Pilford. He has served for 23 years. He was Master's Mate on HMS Brunswick in the battle of 1 June 1794 where he earned the recommendation of Captain Harvey and a commission as Acting Lieutenant of HMS Russell which was confirmed. He was Lieutenant of this ship in the action of L'Orient [Lorient] in June 1795 between Admiral Lord Bridport's fleet and the French fleet. He was 1st Lieutenant of HMS Kingfisher and 4 times engaged with the enemy. In the late war he served under Sir Edward Pellew as his aide de camp in the expedition against Belle Isle and commanded considerable detachments. During an attack in Port Navalo he single handedly directed the descent of 500 troops and succeeded in destroying the forts and boarding several armed vessels. His service was marked in a public letter to Earl St Vincent. He was 1st Lieutenant of HMS Ajax on 22 July 1805 when the fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Sir Robert Calder engaged the combined fleets of France and Spain. He had the command of that ship as 1st Lieutenant in the absence of Captain Brewer in the battle under the command of Viscount Nelson off Cape Trafgalgar on 21 October 1805 on which occasion he was promoted to Post Captain and shared prize money. Asks for a medal to be presented to him similar to those given to the Captains of the fleet in the Battle off Cape Trafalgar.