Sir Peter, who died in March this year at his home on Orkney, composed The Golden Solstice to honour those who served at sea during the First World War.
Advertisement
He said the hold up to the frigates, which were supposed to have entered service from 2020, but will now be at least three years delayed, was “in danger of destroying our complex surface warship-building industry”.
Germany highlighted 6,094 British losses compared to the 2,551 men it had sacrificed.
There were 151 ships from the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet involved in the Battle of Jutland.
The diary is part of London’s Imperial War Museum’s collection, and includes a good description of the reception and treatment of British casualties after the Battle of Jutland.
“There have been many commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of World War One battles, but this is the one key date that allows a singular focus on the Royal Navy”.
You can find, for example, information about Private Edward Fassnidge, 19, from Lane End, high Wycombe, who died aboard the light cruiser HMS Chester, or Petty Officer Stoker Thomas Rodgers, 43, from Wendover, and Able Seaman Ernest Thomas Kempster, from Aylesbury, both killed serving on board HMS Queen Mary.
The 8500 men who lost their lives in the largest naval battle of World War I are being remembered on Auckland’s North Shore.
She was accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence as vice-chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Singer Barbara Dickson, whose uncle was killed in the Battle of the Somme, sang the Scottish lament “Flowers of the Forest” as a wreath was laid by HRH on behalf of the nation to remember those lost.
He added: ‘It was pleasing to see so many residents from Portsmouth lining the parade route and attending the commemoration service, paying their respects to the many fearless officers and men from the city who died in the battle of Jutland.
Longer-term, the confinement to port led the German navy in 1917 to resort to all-out submarine attacks on merchant ships supplying Britain across the Atlantic, which in turn prompted the decisive USA entry into World War One.
During the hour-long service, prayers were said for those who died and were injured at Jutland, for those who continue to suffer as a result of war and for the members of the Armed Forces.
More than 100,000 sailors were engaged in 250 ships.
The clash between the Royal Navy and German fleets was off the coast of Denmark in the peninsula of Jutland.
Advertisement
“Historians over the years have said “learn your mistakes from the past”.
