A YOUNG Navy captain who served in Nelson's fleet was remembered at a double anniversary in Deal. Edward Thornborough Parker was only 22 when he died of his wounds following the famous sea admiral's ill-fated attack on Boulogne in 1801.

Nelson donated a tomb to his friend at St George's Churchyard and two years ago it was restored in the Garden of Rest, between the High Street and West Street. The Deal Society, Deal Town Council and a Nelson society, the 1805 Club, joined forces in 1998 for the restoration and on Saturday representatives met again to rededicate the monument.

Members of the East Kent division Sea Cadets marched from the Union Street car park to the Garden of Rest for the service, conducted by St George's vicar the Rev Chris Spencer. Two Royal British Legion standards were paraded and Deal's Mayor Cllr Marlene Burnham, also attended.

Deal Society special projects officer Jim Jeffreys said: "This tomb has put Deal on the map and it was good to see people as far away as Scotland travelling to the town for the rededication."

It was organised to mark the death of Capt Edward Parker and the birthday of Lord Nelson. The sea admiral was apparently distraught when his young friend died. He wrote: "Dear gallant spirit! But he is gone! For I loved him like a child. He died as he lived, a hero and a Christian.

After the service members of the 1805 Club attended a reception in rooms at the Royal Hotel on Deal seafront where Nelson once stayed.

During the commemorative dinner Tom Pocock gave a talk about Nelson and Boulogne, based on his latest research.