Jane

Jane Townsend, aged 23 years old was at sea doing vital nursing and indeed helping in any way she could during the whole of the Battle of Trafalgar.
After the Battle was over a great many people were decorated for bravery:  Jane's Captain put her name forward to the Admiralty for a medal but had no reply.   Much later when everyone present during the Battle was award a Service Medal Jane did not get one, so her Captain requested one for her.   A letter of explanation from the Admiralty to her Captain stated that they would have to refuse recognition of Jane's courage as it would cause great offence and shock to the populace of the country to discover that women were actually there at the scene of battle!