'Oxfordshire v. Napoleon' - Julie Ann Godson

Many men from Oxfordshire were involved in the international struggle against Napoleon. Julie Ann Godson introduces us to eight Oxfordshire sailors on board Nelson’s flagship “Victory" at Trafalgar, and then to a Woodstock rifleman on the field at Waterloo. 

Julie studied history at the University of Oxford, and publishes books on the history of our county.  Her childhood was spent battling with her brother. All the glorious advantages with which their parents presented them – playrooms, swimming pools, agreeable gardens – were simply exploited as new and exciting war zones. To keep them apart, their exasperated parents presented them each with pencil and paper and they were banished to their bedrooms. Only an intercom connected them via a wire strung between the windows – there were even separate staircases. With the opportunities for physical violence thus curtailed, Julie’s brother drew pictures and Julie wrote stories. We are fortunate that Julie survived to entertain us this evening!