OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 68, 22 March 1933, Page 7

OBITUARY

ADMIRAL SIR T. M. JERRAM

SECOND IN COMMAND AT

JUTLAND

(British Official Wireless.)

BtTGBT, March 20.

Admiral Sir Thomas Martyn Jerram, commander of the Second Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland, died yesterday, aged 75.

Admiral Sir Martyn Jerram had a distinguished career of nearly fifty years in the Royal Navy, which he entei'cd as a cadet in H.M.S. Britannia in 1871. In 1913 aa Viee-Admiral Jerram lie was appointed commander-in-chief of the China Station, and he was serving there with his flag in H.M.S. Minotaur when the war-started.

In' 1915, Vice-Admiral Sir Martyn Jerram was appointed to the command of tho Second Battle Squadron of the Grand Floet. On the eve of Jutland, Jerram put to sea from Invergordon and joined up with Admiral Jellicoe at 11 a.m. on May 31, 1916. Sir Martyn Jerram was flying his flag in H.M.S. King George V, which was commanded" by Captain (now Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick) Field, who visited New Zealand after the war on H.M.S. Hood as commander of the Special Service Squadron.

Sir Martyu Jerram led the British battle line into action at Jutland in the evening of May 31, 191G. The King George V was the leading ship of tho extreme port wing column' of Admiral Jellicoe's battle fleet which was advancing during the afternoon six divisions each in line ahead. Jellicoe was left in doubt until the very last minute as to the exact position of. tho enemy. At 6.15 p.m. he ordered the fleet to deploy into' line of battle on .tho port or easterly column, which placed the Grand Fleet at tho outset in a position of overwhelming tactical advantage. Led by the King George V, Jellicoe's twenty-four battleships manoeuvred into a line which developed in the form of an obtuse-angled "L," one arm of which steadily, lengthened to envelop the head of the enemy's line. Sir Martyn Jerram in his report stated that Captain Field handled his ship as leader of the line of battle with great skill under very difficult conditions. Three times the enemy finding his way barred by the British battle fleet turned away under cover of torpedo attacks and smoke screens, being badly hammered during the two first encounters, and finally, breaking tfff the action in the darkness. Throughout the engagement Sir Martyn Jerram handled his squadron of eight battleships with great skill and judgment that earned the full commendation of Admiral Jellicoe.