EARL JELLICOE’S TOMB

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21966, 15 December 1936, Page 12

EARL JELLICOE’S TOMB

DEDICATION CEREMONY IN ST. PAUL’S SIR SAMUEL HOARE’S tribute (TftOU OUB OWM COBRBSPOBDBNT.) LONDON, November 25. Earl Jellicoe’s tomb in the crypt of St. Paul’s was dedicated this week, at a simple, dignified service, conducted by Canon S. A. Alexander and the Archdeacon of London. Opportunity was also taken to unveil a memorial plaque to Sir Charles Madden Earl Jellicoe’s brother-in-law, and a former Admiral of the Fleet. Lady Jelhcoe, Lord Jellicoe, Lady Prudence Jellicoe, Lady Gwendoline Lathom, Major Edward Lathom, Lady Myrtle Balfour, Mr Lionel Balfour, Lady Norah Wingfield Lady Violet Wingfield, Lady Madden, Miss Joan Madden. Miss Hope Madden, Mr John Madden, Miss Edith Jellicoe. Miss Grace Jellicoe, Lords of the Admiralty, LieutenantColonel R. Tristram Harper, Captain D. P. Simson. and many* trends were present. Mr F. T. Sandford represented the High Commissioner for New Zealand. ~ , . .. Lord Jellicoe’s tomb, which is situated next to that of the Duke of Wellington, is of plain, white marble raised about two feet high from the ground. It bears an engraving of his coat or arms on the top stone, and the simple inscription: ‘‘Jellicoe, 1859-193i>. Round the edges are the four inscriptions: —“Commander-in-Chief G ra rm Fleet, 1914-1916,” ‘‘Jutland, May 31, 1916 ” “Governor-General of New Zealand. 1920-1924.” and “Admiral of the Fleet, G.C.8., G.V.0.” . Above the tomb, facing the righthand shoulder, is a white ensign, encased in glass. It bears the following inscription: “This flag was flown aboard H.M.S. Iron Duke, framed in her wood, and hauled down on November 29, 1916, when Admiral Sir John Jellicoe relinquished his command of the Grand Fleet.” Wreaths of red poppies, made by men of the British Legion, and sheafs of white lilies and white chrysanthemums, and red roses and white lilies were laid beside the tomb for the ceremony. The service was short, and included the “Sailors’ Hymn.” “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” the Lord’s Prayer, and Psalm 24. The singing was led by choirboys. Plaque Unveiled The memorial plaque to Sir Charles Madden, placed by Lady Madden on the well above the left-hand foot of the tomb of his former leader, was unveiled first by .Sir Ernie Chatfield, First Sea Lord and Admiral of the Fleet. He said: . . “Among the many distinguished posts he held in his Majesty’s Navy there is one that we will especially remember on this occasion, and that is his most responsible period as Chief of Staff during the Great War to the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, Lord Jellicoe. Like his great chief. Sir Charles Madden will ever be remembered in the naval service, not only as a great naval leader and seaman, but as one who commanded the deepest affection from all those who served under his command.” Sir Samuel Hoare, First Lord of the Admiralty, paid the following tribute to Lord Jellicoe; — "The detailed and formal panegyrics have already been spoken upon Lord Jellicoe's career and character. The abundance of tribute that was paid at the time of his death was remarkable for the variety of sources from which it came and for the deep sincerity with which it was offered. To-day, therefore, there is no need to recount the record of his great services nor to give the details of his attractive life. Rather are we here to note the epitaph upon his tomb and to add a final sentence to the chapters that have already been written, and the speeches that have already been made in his honour. The tomb that is : being dedicated to-day is very simple. How should it not be simple when it is the memorial of a great and singleminded man who lived so simple and natural a life? A Typical Englishman “Lord Jellicoe always seemed to me to represent in a remarkable way the best characteristics of an Englishman. Indeed, if I were asked to name the two Englishmen who best transmuted English tradition and English habit into a super-excellent metal, I should say King George V. and Lord Jellicoe. Each of them lived a simple life. Each of them kept the balance between outdoor sport and indoor work. Each of them had the highest sense of duty. Each of them, typical of many Englishmen, underrated his own abilities. Each of them, though experience, common sense and ability made their powers more remarkable than many imagined, rejoiced to represent the normal views of many millions of the English men and women amongst whom they lived. It was this single-minded simplicity and characteristic poise that made them both so greatly beloved and so deeply respected. “I am told that no naval officer was more popular with the naval ratings than Lord Jellicoe. He knew their thoughts and knowing their thoughts had the direct and simple word to say to them at the right moment. Surely, again, it was these characteristics that made the men of the British Legion love him. Pretence, self-advertise-ment, personal recrimination, he detested. Whilst the controversial volumes that have been written about the war would fill many shelves, and he of all men might have been justified to make the counter-attack against his critics, he was one of the few great leaders, military or civilian, who has not said a bitter or wounding word. “Here, then, is true greatness,” added Sir Samuel. “To do great things in a normal way, to take them, so to speak, in your stride, to be misrepresented but to be so certain of yourself as not to retaliate, to have a mind and body ready for action, to take a great decision and not to go back with hesitation _ and remorse when you have taken it. Let us remember with gratitude those high qualities, nor let us in this cathedral crypt forget that they were built upon the foundations of a consistent, definite and fervent Christian faith. On this tomb is the name of one whose life was the epitotne of English life. Let it remind us that it is by these English qualities that we have become a great people, and that it is only by their maintenance. that we shall remain a great Empire.”