Jutland memory SHIPMATE Fred "Darby" Allen, aged 94, oldest member of Peterborough branch, shares some embarrassing memories of the Battle of Jutland in his 800 page autobiography.
As a young sailor he served in HMS Dominion of the Third Battle Squadron {the "Wobbly Eight") when the order came to raise steam, join the Fleet and engage the enemy at Jutland.
"We hadn't a hope", says Fred. "Our speed was ridicu- lous. All we could raise was 15 knots and the fastest ships with speeds of 25 to 30 knots were miles away." The nearest Fred got to the action was seeing an intercept- ed wireless signal from Admi- rals Beatly to Jellico slating: "Am engaging the enemy at 31,000 yards".
If Fred missed one of the
great sea battles, there was free beer for all and a band playing "See the Conquering hero Comes", when the Dominion returned to Portsmouth.
"It was very embarrassing,"
says Fred. "W e knew we weren't heroes. But no one would believe us."
After leaving the Navy. Fred was a policeman in Peterbor- ough for 25 years.
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