I agree that the modern ‘heroes’ are probably more relevant to the children than Drake, Nelson or Raleigh.
What I didn’t like was the description of them in the child’s letter as disgusting and despicable. They were of their time and they were all brave men and leaders.
Nelson’s Prayer before Trafafalgar doesn’t strike me as the thoughts of a despicable man, but those of an honourable one.
‘May the great God, whom I worship, grant to my country and for the benefit of Europe in general, a great and glorious victory, and may no misconduct in anyone tarnish it; and may humanity after victory be the predominant feature in the British fleet. For myself individually, I commit my life to him that made me; and may His blessing alight on my endeavours for serving my country faithfully. To him I resign myself, and the just cause which is entrusted to me to defend. Amen.’
We visited Portsmouth a few years ago and going aboard HMS Victory and seeing the spot where Nelson died, was very moving.
So I would like children to be given a balanced picture of our national heroes.
FWIW our school houses were named after long-dead headmasters who meant nothing to us. What was more important was who our House Captain was and how well we did in the various inter-house competitions.