HMS ONSLAUGHT - The Battle of Jutland - Centenary Initiative
34121
page-template-default,page,page-id-34121,page-child,parent-pageid-34074,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,qode-theme-ver-9.1.3,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-4.11.2.1,vc_responsive
 

HMS ONSLAUGHT

The sub who brought Onslaught back to safety

Harry Kemmis was a 19 year old Sub-Lieutenant on HMS Onslaught. After their successful attack on the SMS Pommern, the bridge was hit by a shell, the commander Arthur Onslow was killed and the steering etc. disabled. As the most senior remaining officer, Harry Kemmis requested permission to withdraw and successfully brought the disabled ship back to Rosyth.

For many years the Royal Ensign from the Onslaught hung above the stairs of his home in Scotland. The family still have some momentos from the ship.

(Kind courtesy of Harry Kemmis’s grandson, Edward Kemmis-Matterson)