Location
On the South wall of the Chapel of St. Thomas (see Cathedral Plan).
 

Memorial
Memorial to Robert Moulton Esq.
Inscription
HERE LIETH THE BODY OF ROBERT
MOULTON ESQ. LATE ONE OF THE
COMMISSIONERS FOR THE NAVIE HE
DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 22ND SEP-
TEMBER 1652 AND LEFT ISSUE THREE
SONNES ROBERT JAMES AND RAN-
DAL WHICH HE HAD BY HIS ONELY
WIFE KATHEREN MOULTON WHOE
SURVIVED HIM


 
Further Information
Robert Moulton's memorial stands adjacent to a similar stone in the memory of William Willoughby which is fitting since these men were considered to be to be founders of Portsmouth Dockyard ('Portsmouth Parish Church' by Lilley and Everitt).
 
At the beginning of the English Civil War the Navy was neither Royalist nor Parliamentarian but in 1648 there came a split which resulted in the 17 ships of the Thames Fleet going over to Holland and placing themselves at the disposal of the Prince of Wales. Prince Rupert made full use of them as he harried ships the full length of the English Channel until he reached Ireland where he supported Irish rebels. Parliament sent Cromwell to Ireland and Robert Moulton was engaged in convoying troops for him. In 1649 with 12 ships he encountered Prince Rupert who had 24 and there was a great fight in which Moulton sank two of the enemy's vessels.
 
Moulton used this and other adventures to secure a stronghold in the Navy which was henceforth the mainstay of English Power. Moulton himself was appointed Vice Admiral of the Fleet. On the death of William Willoughby, Moulton was appointed Navy Commissioner at Portsmouth but a little over a year later he died, to be succeeded by Willoughby's son Francis.
 
See the History in Portsmouth website for more information
 

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