TRAFALGAR AND THE FRENCH

Whilst working as an RAF officer in the Central Staffs at the Ministry of Defence (1983 -86), I reported directly to Admiral Julian Oswald. 

One of my tasks was to organize the defence staff talks between the UK and twelve other nations on an at-home and away basis. Thus we would speak to the Americans in London and again in the Pentagon and so on with all the rest. As secretary of the talks I usually booked Admiralty House as the UK venue. 

On one occasion, after talks with the French in Paris, the Admiral asked me what arrangements I was making for the reciprocal visit in London. I explained that I had already booked Admiralty House and I named the room. The Admiral reflected for a moment and then asked me if I had considered booking the Trafalgar room. I replied that I had considered and rejected the Trafalgar Room on the grounds of political sensitivity since all the paintings around the walls depicted the battle. The Admiralty commended my approach but overruled it on the more significant grounds of fun. 

We subsequently spent two days with the French staff in the Trafalgar Room while the French fleet sank around us.