RETURN TO SENDER - The Battle of Jutland - Centenary Initiative
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RETURN TO SENDER

05 Sep RETURN TO SENDER

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HMS Iron Duke’s Union Jack, probably given to the Church in the 1920s by Admiral Jellicoe, is being graciously loaned back to the family for the duration of the commemorations.

The flag will be on display at the September 15th opening of the Gert Normann Andersen’s SeaWar Museum in Thyborøn. Till now she has been holding a silent vigil at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Ryde. Her colours have been remarkably well preserved because she has not been in direct sunlight.


 

A dusty job. Peter Sutton giving me a hand packing the flag

A dusty job. Peter Sutton giving me a hand packing the flag

Normally, the Union Jack would fly at the bow on the Jackstaff. In battle the white ensign would be flown (it can be seen in the chapel at Eton College). Villagers in Thyborøn were able to hear the roar of the guns rolling in across the North Sea. Iron Duke’s White Ensign can be seen in the chapel at Eton College.

 

2 Comments
  • Victoria Ericks
    Posted at 15:20h, 06 September Reply

    What an honour to have the flag on loan for Jutland 1916.commemorations. Next to or, alongside a country’s constitution, its flag is perhaps the most significant among non-linguistic symbols for what it indicates – and where its presence made known while history be made.

  • David Morris
    Posted at 09:06h, 10 September Reply

    Just to expand on this blog. The Union Jack would normally only be flown at the jackstaff when not underway i.e. at anchor or when berthed alongside. In battle, ships would fly battle ensigns – the largest possible size ensign flown from the ensign staff and every mast.

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