It marked the birthplace of one of England’s greatest heroes for more than six decades until it was ripped from its place in an act of callous vandalism.

But now a new plaque proclaiming the birthplace of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson has been unveiled, in the same spot the former plaque was stolen from six months ago.

At an unveiling ceremony in the north Norfolk village of Burnham Thorpe were dignitaries including chairman of the Army and Navy Club Frank Froud, Commodore Marcus Fitzgerald and Commodore Rob Bellfield.

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North Norfolk News: Commodore Marcus FitzGerald, left, and Frank Froud, with the Admiral Lord Nelson plaque to replace the stolen one at Nelson's birthplace in Burnham Thorpe.Commodore Marcus FitzGerald, left, and Frank Froud, with the Admiral Lord Nelson plaque to replace the stolen one at Nelson's birthplace in Burnham Thorpe. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Villagers, sea cadets and other serving and retired armed forces members were also there. 

Mr Froud: “The plaque is really important locally because Nelson was a local lad. 

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“If you read some of his speeches it is almost certain that he spoke with a local dialect. He said things like ‘Do, yew anchor Hardy’ - there is a typical Norfolk tilt to how he said things. 

North Norfolk News: The new plaque marking Nelson's birthplaceThe new plaque marking Nelson's birthplace (Image: Denise Bradley)

“This is Nelson’s County, and that is why it is important. We had a duty of care to the village to replace the plaque.”

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Mr Froud said the original plaque, which was installed in 1959, had drawn many visitors over the years because it was marked on maps as ‘Nelson’s Birthplace’. 

North Norfolk News: Lord Admiral NelsonLord Admiral Nelson (Image: Library image)

The replacement plaque is a copy of the original, and reads: ‘The birthplace of Admiral Lord Nelson - The Old Rectory in which the admiral was born stood twenty yards back from this wall - It was pulled down in 1808’.

North Norfolk News: A scene from the dedication ceremony for the original plaqueA scene from the dedication ceremony for the original plaque (Image: Library image)

Carbrooke-based East Coast Casting made the plaque after being contacted by Nina Plumbe, from the village, who owns the wall on which it is fixed.

It cost £600, and was paid for by the Army and Navy Club, which was formed in 1837 following a meeting between Lord Nelson and Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington.