Nelson's brilliant tactics as a naval commander and a charismatic leader helped him win a series of battles against Britain's enemies, culminating in the decisive British victory over a combined French and Spanish fleet at the battle of Trafalgar on October 21 1805 - tragically dying from his wounds at the moment of victory.

Trafalgar put an end to Napoleon's plans for the invasion of Britain, while ensureing British dominance of the world's oceans for the rest of the 19th century.