Command flag, Vice Admiral, RN

The command flag of a Vice-Admiral, RN, with part of the fly missing. It is made of wool bunting with a linen hoist, machine-sewn with some hand sewing. A rope and two Inglefield clips are attached to hoist the flag. The flag has a white field with a red cross overall and a red disc in the canton. 'ADMIRAL 4 BREADTHS' is marked in ink on the hoist.

The flag was originally mounted in a glazed wooden frame with a brass plaque but it has been removed for conservation reasons. The brass plaque reads 'The flag of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Jerram K.C.B. worn in the first 'King George V' when leading the battle line at Jutland on 31 May 1916'. A paper label attached to the flag reads 'The flag of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Jerram Cat "A"' reverse 'HS KGV Port no. 3947 LP No.328/2 category C stowage 24/8/50'.

Sir Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram (1858-1933) was born at Chobham, Surrey. He entered the Royal Navy in 1871 through the training ship HMS 'Britannia'. He commanded a battalion of the naval brigade sent against the Sultan of Witu in 1890. He was promoted to flag rank in 1908, was second in command in the Mediterranean, and in 1913 was appointed commander-in-chief on the China station. At the outbreak of war the Admiralty ordered him south to Hong Kong, thus allowing the German cruiser 'Emden' to evade his forces. In 1915 he returned home to command the second battle squadron of the Grand Fleet. He led the battle line at Jutland, but a certain amount of criticism of his performance resulted in his junior Beatty succeeding to the command of the Grand Fleet. Jerram retired in 1917. At the end of his life he presided over committees on naval pay scales and welfare.

Object Details

ID: AAA0792
Collection: Flags
Type: Command flag
Display location: Not on display
Events: World War I: Battle of Jutland, 1916; World War I, 1914-1918
Vessels: King George V (1911)
Date made: 1916
People: Royal Navy; Jerram, Thomas Henry Martyn
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Frame: 1041.4 x 1244.6 x 50.8 mm; Flag: 889 x 1092.2 mm
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