NN782

Navy News Issue	Month / Year	Page	Index
782	September 2019	27	Navy News

Narrative	Image	Comments
Lincoln rededicate Maenad memorial corner to Jutland ENJOYING a position in a memorial corner at Lincoln Branch is the Battle Ensign flown by destroyer HMS Maenad at the Royal Navy’s greatest 20th Century battle. Shipmates conserved, remounted and rededicated the flag, half a century after it was first donated to the branch by a veteran of the titanic North Sea battle between the British and German fleets. The ensign ended up in the hands of S/M Henry Clarke Rylatt, an Ordinary Telegraphist aboard the M-class destroyer. Late in life, he wanted the flag preserved for future generations – and donated it to his local RNA branch, who framed it and put it on display, pictured left. Half a century later, branch members decided the ensign was looking somewhat forlorn and should be displayed properly. They turned to local gallery owner/conservator Richard Sivill to help preserve the flag... which spent seven days in a dehumidifier, before it was re-mounted unfolded in a new specially-designed display case which will shield it from the elements (dampness, sunlight, changes in temperature) for 100 years. The result is a ‘Jutland corner’ dedicated to the standard, Maenad, Henry Rylatt (whose medals are on display with the flag) all rededicated in the presence of National Chairman S/M Keith Ridley, representatives from branches across No.9 Area, RN officers and senior rates from the Joint EW Operational Support Centre based at RAF Waddington, Lincoln Submariners Association, City of Lincoln RBL, RVS Camaraderie Club, Royal Signals Association, RAFA and officers and cadets from TS Wrangler. Branch chaplain the Rev John Moore read out the Naval Prayer as a form of blessing for the new installation after the unveiling by S/M Keith. The Chairman of No.9 Area, S/M Keith Crawford, also used the event to present the Area Shipmate of the Year Award to S/M Peter Corby of Sleaford Branch. Peter was being recognized for his unstinting efforts to keep his Branch going when it looked as though it may slip beneath the waves. It is now in a stronger place than it has been for many years. On completion, the tot was issued (not to the cadets) and glasses raised to the memory of HMS Maenad – which lived a charmed life at Jutland (no casualties, despite a night-time encounter with a German battleship) – as well as S/M Henry and the five men from Lincoln who were killed in the 1916 battle.		Maenad Rylatt, Henry Clarke Ordinary Telegraphist J28874