John, Edward Trevor

I BRIDGEND BOY IN THE JUTLAND SEA FIGHT. A Bridgend boy—literally a boy, since he is only 17 years old—who did his "bit" man- fully in the Jutland battle is Trevor John, son of Mr. Wm. John, Grove Road, Bridgend. Trevor has sent his parents a vivid account of the battle. Dating from H.M.S. Revenge, lie writes:— I should like to meet the one who said the Revenge went out to pick up wounded. They would have found a difference if they had been in it. I will tell you as much as I am allowed. We left our base with the Grand Fleet as quiet as we always do, and I never felt so well as I did then. We steamed about for a bit. While we were steaming we heard that battle cruisers were in touch with the enemy, and were holding them. We still steamed on. we being the second ship of the line, the Admiral being ahead of us. The next thing we heard was that the Queen Elizabeth class had got into the fight. This put fresh heart in us, as we had been afraid the Germans would run away before we had a chance to fire at them. At last we got in sound of the guns, and were simply dancing for joy. In my turret we were singing all the time until just before we opened fire. When we got in range the flagship opened fire first, and then we did. It was terrible to see. It was a lovely but awful sight to see ships on fire and sinking. I will never forget it. We kept oil firing until they ran away. We claim to have sunk some enemy ships our- selves. Their losses must have been terrible. Anyway, we kept following them, as we should have liked to have finished them there and then, and we would have, if they had not run away. We met the Germans about half- past five. Of course, they expected an easy victory over the battle cruisers, but found they could not beat them, let alone us. In the night our destroyers made attacks on them, and sunk some more. Next morning we steamed round the battle area, and down south, and found the Germans had gone home for another holiday. This will tell what sort of fleet you have looking after you: We fought on the 31st May, and patrolled all next day came to our base, replenished, and were ready to put to sea on the night of the 2nd of June. I can't tell you any more, but will' if I ever get a chance of coming home. I was sorry about George Farmer. All they do at home for him he deserves, as it was a very rough time for our boys. I lost about two dozen chums on one ship that went down but wait till the next time we get a pop at them."