Galfridus Walpole (1683 – 7 August 1726) was a Royal Navy officer, politician and postmaster general of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

He lost his right arm after a naval battle against the French in Vado Bay, Italy, in 1711 and commanded ships for another nine years.

[3] He was appointed joint postmaster general, on 8 April 1721 [7] when he was required to vacate his seat in parliament, and also stood down as Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital.

[9] According to legend, Walpole's sword, used on HMS Lion, was given to a young Horatio Nelson, who is reported to have been carrying it when he too lost his right arm, in the Battle of Santa Cruz on 15 July 1797.

William Suckling, Maurice's brother, gave the sword to Nelson, who wore his uncle's valued gift in his early career.