Battle of Jutland left Portsmouth families without men | Nostalgia

More than 1,260 officers and men were lost when the battle cruiser HMS Queen Mary was lost while the battle cruiser HMS Indefatigable lost 1,015 officers and men.

Many families lost their fathers, sons and brothers and many were left without support of any kind.

The battle raged in the North Sea on May 31 and June 1 with news of it reaching Portsmouth on June 3.

Once the names of the dead were known the town, as it was then, was overcome with grief.

The German navy lost 11 ships as to our 14 but because of the overpowering force of the Royal Navy it was reckoned to be a victory for Britain.

Some days after a memorial service was held in St Mary’s Church, Landport, followed by a requiem mass in St John’s the Catholic cathedral in Edinburgh Road.

The Bishop of Winchester referred to the fact that Portsmouth was bearing three times the burden in death and sorrow that all England bore ‘through her fleet at Trafalgar’.

•I wonder how many old salts can remember the rum ration being served on ships. It lasted until July 31, 1970, more than 50 years ago now and it became known as Black Tot Day.

In such esteem was the tot held that on the final day matelots wore black armbands to mourn the passing of the tradition.

In the modern technical world with ithe complex machinery that was evolving, it was thought by the Admiralty to belong to a bygone age.

The barrel seen on the photograph is in HMS Warrior 1860 and Malcolm Garbutt asks if there are any former sailors who can remember the tot and also having to polish the brass bands.

• It’s no wonder Arundel Street, Landport, was widened when you look at this photograph. A corporation bus and a lorry have become jammed outside FC Roberts, funeral directors of 152 Arundel Street on the south side. No doubt many dockyard men had to wheel their cycles past the scene.

• As you may have read, last Saturday evening from 6pm to 9pm I should have been on Angel Radio presenting my ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s, show. Unfortunately I had to isolate after I had written the article so I was not allowed into the studio. Angel which plays music from the 1920s to the 1960s can be found on 89.3FM or online.

You may be glad to know I am back on air tomorrow evening, also Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12-2pm.

• A message from the editor, Mark Waldron.

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