Donington's most famous son: Flinders' descendants at church thanksgiving

Published: 06:00, 22 July 2019

Descendants of Matthew Flinders walked in the Donington-born explorer’s footsteps at St Mary and the Holy Rood Church on Friday.

It was the annual service of thanksgiving for the life of the explorer who named Australia, and the first one held since Matthew’s remains were discovered as HS2 archaeologists excavated a London cemetery in January.

Matthew’s three-times great granddaughter, teacher Rachel Flinders Lewis (37) was joined at the service by her mum, Lisette Flinders Petrie.

Flinders descendants Lisette Flinders-Petrie, Rachael Flinders-Lewis and Jacob Flinders-Simmons

Also there was Rachel’s son, Jacob Flinders Simmons, who is nearly two-years-old.

“It’s such a beautiful church,” said Rachel. “It’s quite amazing that he (Matthew) was here.”

Matthew’s descendants, Donington residents, local MP Sir John Hayes - and now the leader of the House of Commons, Mel Stride - are supporting a home-coming for Matthew so the Donington church becomes the explorer’s forever resting place.

Rachel said: “We all hope and believe strongly that this is where he should be reinterred."

Rachel was a young girl when she began to discover the great achievements of her ancestor.

She says: “I think it’s always been part of life but I do remember quite vividly having to write a story for homework when I must have been eight or nine and my mum helped me to write the story of the man who named Australia.”

Rachel believes Matthew’s achievements in mapping Australia’s coast are all the more remarkable because there was little or no technology then.

“Each of the points he plotted would have taken just so long to do,” said Rachel.

Matthew’s descendants have been regular visitors to Donington, attending commemorative events like the 2006 unveiling of the Matthew Flinders statue in Market Place.

Friday’s service of thanksgiving was led by the Rev Charlie Robertson, and celebrated not only the explorer but Australia and Britain, and the ties between the two countries.