A flag that flew from Admiral Sir John Jellicoe’s ship took centre stage yesterday as the Battle of Jutland’s centenary commemorations got under way.
The 100-year-old ensign – one of three from HMS Iron Duke – was unravelled at a special ceremony in Trafalgar Square in London.
It was organised by the Royal Hospital School in Suffolk, which lost more than 100 former pupils during the battle fought between the British and German fleets in the North Sea on 31 May and 1 June, 1916.
Current students formed a guard of honour next to the memorials of Jellicoe and Admiral Sir David Beatty.
The former commanded the Grand Fleet at Jutland, with the latter in charge of the battle cruiser squadron.
He later succeeded Jellicoe following his appointment as first sea lord.
At yesterday’s ceremony their grandsons – Nick Jellicoe and Nicholas Beatty – stood side by side to honour their ancestors.
Mr Beatty said it was exciting the battle was being commemorated in so many places around the country, including Rosyth and South Queensferry on Saturday and then Orkney next week.
He added: “It’s a tribute not just to my grandfather’s service but also to all those who fought and lost their lives in the battle in the Royal Navy, Merchant Navy and fishing fleets.”
A minute’s silence was held, and descendants laid wreaths at the foot of the busts.
There were also several readings, including from the address given by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Jellicoe and Beatty’s funerals in St Paul’s Cathedral.
More than 8,500 sailors lost their lives at Jutland and 14 British and 11 German ships were sunk.
The hospital school wanted to mark the occasion given the loss of alumni, believed to be one of the greatest losses of any school in such a short period of time.
Founded in 1712 in Greenwich, the school was set up to educate the children of those who had been injured or who lost their lives at sea.
By the early 19th century, it had become known as the “cradle of the navy” and it is estimated that during the Great War, some 2% of ships’ companies were former Royal Hospital School boys.