John Phillimore

's depiction of the Battle of Copenhagen. Phillimore sent to signal for Nelson to withdraw, prompting his famous response. Phillimore was born on 18 January 1781, the third son of the Reverend Joseph Phillimore, the rector of Orton on the Hill, Leicestershire, and his wife Mary. His naval service began when he joined Captain George Murray's 36-gun frigate as a volunteer first class in June 1794. Phillimore was present at the Battle of Groix on 23 June 1795 as a midshipman, before both he and Murray moved aboard the 74-gun . During the Battle of Copenhagen Phillimore had been sent to Parker's flagship, the 90-gun to take his examination. He then turned to his flag captain, Thomas Foley, and said 'You know, Foley, I have only one eye. I have a right to be blind sometimes.' He raised the telescope to his blind eye, and said 'I really do not see the signal.' Phillimore returned to the Edgar after the battle, where he learnt that the Edgars first lieutenant had been killed in the engagement. A round of general promotions of the junior officers followed, and Phillimore was promoted to lieutenant. ==Command==

Phillimore remained in the Baltic, serving briefly aboard the London again, before moving aboard the 80-gun and serving with Murray off Cádiz. Phillimore's next command was the nominally 64-gun , though she had been converted into a troopship some years earlier and by the time Phillimore became her captain in June 1810, she only mounted 32 guns. Eurotass first lieutenant took over while Phillimore was carried below to be seen by the surgeon. A jury-rig was erected and the chase resumed during the night. The Clorinde had also been badly damaged during the engagement, losing 40 killed and 80 wounded, and was steadily being overtaken by the Eurotas, when two British ships came upon the scene, and . Dryad brought Clorinde to with a single shot and the Frenchman surrendered. In 1847 the Admiralty authorized the issuance of the Naval General Service Medal with clasp "EUROTAS 25 FEBY. 1814" to all still surviving members of ''Eurota's'' crew that had participated in the action. ==Later service==

Phillimore was nominated a Companion of the Bath on 4 June 1815, but his wounds prevented him from returning to active service for some years. The case was examined by a magistrate and Phillimore was forced to pay James £100 in damages. ==Family life==

John Phillimore married Catherine Harriet Raigersfeld on 17 February 1830, when he was 49. The couple settled near Maidenhead and had two sons and four daughters. His youngest son, Henry Bouchier Phillimore, became an admiral. John Phillimore died on 21 March 1840 at the age of 59, and was buried at Bray. His wife died a few months later and was buried beside him. ==Notes==