Admiral’s grandson to give Jutland talk

An insight into the importance of the Battle of Jutland will be given this evening by the grandson of Britain’s naval commander at the time, Admiral Sir John Jellicoe.

Nick Jellicoe is giving a talk – Jutland – the naval engagement that changed the course of WW1? – at the St Magnus Centre, Kirkwall.

He said: “My grandfather did what he said he would always do and what the Admiralty – including  Churchill – had agreed to.

“His primary objective on the day was the maintenance of British supremacy at sea. A secondary objective was the annihilation of the German High Seas Fleet. When that didn’t happen many forget that he’d achieved what he’d set out to achieve.”

Mr Jellicoe added: “Scapa Flow was special to my grandfather. It was where he and his men had to stand an often lonely, cold vigil away from home for long stretches of time. It was because of the shelter that the islands and the islanders gave to his fleet that he took the title the 1st Earl of Scapa.

“One of the blessings that has come out of the last few years is the renewed contact that I now have with many people here in Orkney who have taken me under their wing with great kindness and enthusiasm for what I’m doing.”

The talk starts at 7pm and is open to all on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Mr Jellicoe will also sign copies of his book, Jutland – The Unfinished Battle, tomorrow, Saturday, between 9.30am and 10.30am at The Orcadian Bookshop.