Around 100,000 men took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916. For many, it was the moment they had been waiting for, a chance to finally take on their rivals in the biggest naval encounter of the First World War. What they experienced and witnessed during the two days of the battle stayed with them for the rest of their lives.
Here, 10 men who were at Jutland describe the anticipation, fear and excitement they felt during the battle.
1. Into battle
On the day of the battle, the sounding of action stations was a surprise for John Ouvry, an officer on board HMS Tiger. His ship was heavily damaged at Jutland, but survived the battle.
'That afternoon in the sun, it was nice and warm, I had a nice little sleep on the quarter deck'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
2. First time in battle
For many, Jutland was their first time in battle. Not knowing what to expect led to them feeling a mixture of fear and excitement. Midshipman Bonham Faunce had joined HMS Hercules in January 1916 and went into action for the first time at Jutland, aged 16.
'I was frightened, yes, I make no bones about it'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
3. No fear
For Arthur Crown, an engine room artificer aboard HMS Shannon, there was no time for fear during the battle.
'You don’t think about things like that, you know you’ve got a job to do'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
4. Under fire
The dreadnought HMS Marlborough was struck by a German torpedo during the battle. It caused great damage, tore a huge hole in the ship, and took months to repair. George Fox was on board as the battleship came under fire.
'It simply lifted that ship like a ball and just bounced her up and down just like a rubber ball would be in the water'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
5. No food
The British Grand Fleet put to sea late in the evening of 30 May and did not turn for home until the morning of 1 June. Consequently, many men were on duty for an extensive period of time, which meant normal routines were dispensed with. William Piggott, a wireless signaller in Admiral Jellicoe's flagship, HMS Iron Duke, found that this impacted on his ability to pause for a meal.
'They never give us any food… In those days, they didn't worry about anything like that'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
6. 'Steel box'
For the men serving in gun turrets during the action, the experience was a strange one. John Hazelwood, a gunnery officer in HMS Warspite, felt cut off from the battle in the 'steel box' of his gun turret.
'It's a feeling of, one would think, as being really fastened in a big box'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
7. Shell holes
The battleship HMS Malaya was hit by shells eight times during the battle and suffered heavy casualties amongst its crew. Arthur Gaskin served as a range finder aboard Malaya during the action and remembered the damage inflicted to his ship.
'We were still firing away there and we got badly hit, terrible thud'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
8. British casualties
British ships suffered from accurate German range-finding during the battle. The Germans had better visibility in misty conditions and took advantage of this, with their shells soon finding their targets. George Wainford explained what it was like to come under heavy fire on board HMS Onslaught.
'You know, it was a bit of a shambles really'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
9. Indefatigable survivor
The British lost several battlecruisers at Jutland, with huge loss of life in each case. As well as HMS Queen Mary and HMS Invincible, HMS Indefatigable was struck early on in the action and exploded. British signaller Charles Farmer was one of only a handful of survivors from the sinking of the Indefatigable.
'I had given up all hope, practically, I let go once, yes, I let go once, but I struggled back again quick'
View audio transcript Hide audio transcript
10. Heavy toll
Although neither the German nor the British fleet was destroyed at Jutland, the battle took a heavy toll on both. The British lost 6,000 men and 14 ships; the Germans lost 2,500 men and 11 ships. The light cruiser HMS Chester was particularly badly hit during the action and suffered high casualties, among them the young Victoria Cross recipient Jack Cornwell. Leading stoker Bert Stevens of HMS Chester remembered the aftermath of the battle.
