THE NINTH EARL Nelson of Trafalgar and of Merton, Viscount Merton. Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Hilborough, Norfolk, successor of Admiral Nelson, is a police sergeant from Hertfordshire.
Peter Nelson, 39, inherited the title from his uncle, the eighth Earl who died last Wednesday, aged 76.
The family has fallen on hard times since the Labour Government of 1945 took away the pension voted to the descendants of Admiral Nelson in perpetuity by a grateful nation. The eighth Earl was an accountant by profession, and for some time kept a public house with the help of his wife.
The new Lord Nelson has been in the police for 17 years and works in Hemel Hempstead. But he will not be known by his title by his professional colleagues. Off duty, he arid his wife will be happy to be called Lord and Lady Nelson..