Command flag, Vice Admiral, RN

The command flag of a Vice-Admiral, RN. Part of fly is missing. It is made of wool bunting with a linen hoist, machine-sewn with some hand sewing. A rope and two Inglefield clips are attached to hoist the flag. 'ADMIRAL 4 BREADTHS' is marked in ink on the hoist. It was originally mounted in a glazed wooden frame with a brass plaque but has been removed for conservation reasons. The brass plaque reads 'The flag of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Jerram K.C.B. worn in the first 'King George V' when leading the battle line at Jutland on 31 May 1916'. A paper label attached to the flag reads 'The flag of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Jerram Cat "A"' reverse 'HS KGV Port no. 3947 LP No.328/2 category C stowage 24/8/50'.

Design: White field with a red cross overall, a red disc in the canton.

Sir Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram (1858-1933) was born at Chobham, Surrey. He entered the Royal Navy in 1871 through the training ship HMS 'Britannia'. He commanded a battalion of the naval brigade sent against the Sultan of Witu in 1890. He was promoted to flag rank in 1908, was second in command in the Mediterranean, and in 1913 was appointed commander-in-chief on the China station. At the outbreak of war the Admiralty ordered him south to Hong Kong, thus allowing the German cruiser 'Emden' to evade his forces. In 1915 he returned home to command the second battle squadron of the Grand Fleet. He led the battle line at Jutland, but a certain amount of criticism of his performance resulted in his junior Beatty succeeding to the command of the Grand Fleet. Jerram retired in 1917. At the end of his life he presided over committees on naval pay scales and welfare.

Original size: 889 mm x 1092 mm