page_title: Walter Burke (purser)
section_title: At Trafalgar
hierarchical_section_title: Walter Burke (purser) / At Trafalgar
caption_attribution_description: The Death of Nelson, 21 October 1805
context_page_description: Walter Burke was a purser in the Royal Navy. He is best known for serving aboard HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, and was present at the death of Lord Nelson in the cockpit of the Victory.
context_section_description: Burke was the oldest sailor recorded at the Battle of Trafalgar, at the age of 69. He worked as the purser on board the Victory.
  The artist Arthur William Devis depicted Burke in his 1807 painting, The Death of Nelson, 21 October 1805. The picture shows many of the officers present at the moment of Nelson's death. Portrayed are Revd. Dr Alexander Scott, Nelson's chaplain, rubbing his chest to help relieve the pain. Nelson’s steward, William Chevailler, looks towards Dr William Beatty, Victory's surgeon, who feels Nelson’s pulse and is about to pronounce him dead. Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy stands to the right of the painting - though Hardy was not actually present at the moment of death. Midshipman Edward Collingwood and Lieutenant John Yule (rear left and left), gesture towards a pile of captured enemy flags being brought in by a seaman. Gaetano Spedillo, Nelson’s Italian valet, stands in right profile in front of Collingwood, holding a glass from which Nelson took his last sips of water. Victory's carpenter, Mr Bunce, stands on the far right of the painting above Lieutenant George Miller Bligh, the dazed and wounded figure seated far right. Seated to the right of Bligh is Assistant Surgeon Neil Smith. Burke is shown kneeling to the right of Nelson, visible under Hardy's arm, partly obscured by Spedillo. He is supporting Nelson by propping up his pillow.
  Lord Nelson was quoted
caption: Walter Burke is visible immediately to the right of Nelson, supporting his pillow. He is shown half-length to left wearing a brown coat and red waistcoat.
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