Thomas Hardy was Nelson's Flag Captain and was with him in the battles of Copenhagen, the Nile and Trafalgar. They were very close: Hardy was very fond of Nelson and was with him when he was dying.

When Nelson was taken to the cockpit on the Victory after he was wounded, his surgeon William Beatty and his Chaplain, Alexander Scott were at his side. Nelson repeatedly said, “Where is Hardy, why don't they send me Hardy?” and later “Will no one send me Hardy?” Beatty sent a message requesting Hardy to come, which he did as soon as he was able to leave the battle. It was now one hour and ten minutes since Nelson had been wounded. Hardy stepped forward and they shook hands affectionately. “How goes the battle, how goes the day with us ?” asked Nelson. “Well,” said Hardy, “we've taken 12 or 14 of the enemy ships”. They then discussed more details of the battle and Hardy returned to the deck.

Fifty minutes later he returned, knelt down and took Nelson's hand saying, “You have made a glorious victory. You have taken 14 or 15 of the enemy ships”. “That is good”, replied Nelson “but I had bargained for 20”. He then added, “Anchor, Hardy”. But at the suggestion that Collingwood should take over affairs he replied, “Not while I live”. After a few minutes Nelson said, “Take care of my dear Lady Hamilton, Hardy, take care of poor Lady Hamilton”, then faintly, “Kiss me Hardy”. Hardy knelt down and kissed his cheek and Nelson said, “Now I am satisfied. Thank God I have done my duty”. Hardy paused a moment or two in silence and then he knelt down again and kissed Nelson's forehead. “Who is that?” whispered Nelson. “It is Hardy”, “God bless you ,Hardy”, said Nelson. These were the last words they had together and Hardy returned to the deck. Nelson repeated again, “Thank God I have done my duty”. Fifteen minutes after Hardy had left Nelson became speechless and died soon afterwards.

In spite of the fact that the surgeon, Beatty, reported the words of the dying Nelson there have been suggestions made about the meaning of the famous words “Kiss me Hardy”. One suggestion which arose in Victorian times and reflected the views on morality at that time was that Nelson said “Kismet Hardy”, Kismet being a Turkish word for fate or destiny. To my mind Nelson would not have used such an expression, it was not his style, he always spoke perfect English.

Another idea, which I believe, was that Nelson wondered whether all was well between them as Hardy had been critical of the Admiral's relationship with Lady Hamilton. He need not have worried, the bond between the two men was too great.

Like most of us, Nelson only wanted to know that he was loved.

Ref:
"The Death of Lord Nelson”. William Beatty MD
“Horatio Nelson”. Tom Pocock

 Top of page