Nottingham Men in Jutland Battle

“IN THE JUTLAND BATTLE.

“NOTTINGHAM SAILORS ON THE MARLBOROUGH.

“Amongst the ships which played an honourable part in the Jutland battle was H.M.S. Marlborough, whose crew included at least two Nottingham sailors, Gunner T. W. Perkins 21, Abbot grove, Wells-road, and Jack Buttery, A.B., 81, St. Leger-terrace, Westminster-street, St. Ann's Well-road. They gave a plain, matter-of-fact, but thrilling account of the which resulted in the German navy returning to their harbours at Kiel battered, even if boastful of their imaginary accomplishments.

“Both men are confident as to who had the worst of the encounter. To them the news that they were about to get to grips with the enemy after so long a wait was hardly credible, and they may be forgiven for not being particularly stirred when they received orders to go to action stations. After the first surprise had passed, however, the crew of the Marlborough and set to work give a good account of themselves, and more than one German vessel received an object lesson in accurate gunnery by becoming a target. Once the particular enemy vessel which was the object unwelcome attention was temporarily obscured by a large German cruiser, from whose interior flames were darting. The Marlborough was not to escape scatheless, however, and she was fortunate not to be sent below as the result of a torpedo. As it was, her gunners continued to fight, and had the satisfaction of setting alight an enemy destroyer. During the night the men of the Marlborough could hear the sounds of battle fiercely raging, but were not themselves engaged. The dawn brought some further excitement, for a Zeppelin was sighted apparently intent on attacking the ship, but several shots indicated such liveliness on the vessel to induce the German aeronauts not to take risks. Later, too, an enemy submarine tried to bag the ship, but failed, and in spite of all attempts to accomplish her destruction, the Marlborough arrived in port, having only lost two stokers out of the numerous crew she carried.

“Both Perkins and Buttery are typical naval men. The former has been in the service since March, 1913, while the latter joined in July, 1910.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 29th June 1916.

Image: http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/guides/images/4/45/Mq_marl.jpg