A CORNISH village is preparing to honour one of its own, almost 220 years after he died in one of Britain’s most famous naval battles.

Private Richard Masters of the Royal Marines, born at Loskeyle Farm in St Tudy, was just 21 when he was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805. Like many who fell that day, his body was committed to the waves, leaving him with “no grave but the sea.”

Private Master’s name will be permanently commemorated in his home parish. A silver-grey Cornish granite plaque will be unveiled on the east wall of St Tudy Church during an open-air service led by Reverend Robin Thwaites. The plaque, crafted by Kerrow Memorials, will stand close to the graves of Masters’ family.

Distinguished guests will include Commodore Jamie Miller CBE DL RN, representing the King, and Brigadier Mike Tanner OBE ADC RM, commander of Devonport Naval Base. They will be joined by Geraint Richards, High Sheriff of Cornwall, as well as civic leaders and members of the Masters family.

The event will also feature a guard of honour by the Padstow Sea Cadets, period re-enactors from the 32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot, and a drummer and bugler from the Plymouth Maritime Corps of Drums in 1805-pattern uniforms. Church bells will ring to a newly composed piece, Masters of Loskeyle, written by captain of the tower, John Mardon.

The commemoration has been organised by the St Tudy Historical Society in partnership with naval heritage charity The 1805 Club. Historian Stephen Howarth, the honorary secretary of the club, said monuments to individual private marines from Trafalgar are “rare.”

Angela Aylward of the Historical Society added: “We see this as bringing Richard Masters home after all these years.”