John Bentham-Dinsdale (1927-2008)

One of the first actions of the French Revolutionary Wars took place on 20 October 1793. H.M.S. Crescent, a 36-gun frigate, commanded by Captain Saumarez, sailed from Spithead on 19 October to investigate a report that the French frigate Réunion was off Cherbourg. Sighting the enemy the following morning, a furious action lasting two hours resulted in the capture of Réunion without the loss of a single man, whereas the French vessel lost 33 mean and had 48 wounded. Captain Saumarez was knighted for his service.