Background to song Skagarrak
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Skagarrak (The Battle of Skagarrak/Jutland)

The battle of Jutland or as the Germans called it - the Battle of Skagarrak - was the greatest naval battle of the 1st World War off the coast of Jutland, Denmark, between the British and German Navy on the 13th May, 1916. This is a well documented battle with many references on the internet. My interest is rather personal as my Grandfather , Arthur Speers, was a crew member aboard HMS Marlborough and fought at the Battle of Jutland. Both sides suffered heavy losses - my Grandfather and his ship survived . The song is not to celebrate, condone or justify  but to recall an historical, tragic event now long forgotten. 
Below are a number of photographs of Arthur, his comrades and ships he served on.

                    * HMS Marlborough          * Comrades At Arms                  * Ships Crew                       * Bandstand  

                                          * Dancing Club 1              * Dancing Club 2                   * Dancing Club 3                             

                    * Group 1                    * Group 2                    * HMS Colossus                    * "A" Turret  HMS Coloss 

    * Arthur Speers on the Docks                                   * Arthur Speers on Holiday

 

 

 

 


HMS Marlborough

 

 

 


Arthur is second right back row

 

 


I have found out recently that my wifes uncle - great uncle Bill Williamson was also a crew member of HMS Marlborough. Both Arthur and Bill are probably on this photo of the ships crew - who knows they might even have known one another. The top photo of HMS Marlborough was found recently in an old sea chest belonging to Bill Williamson's relatives.

Ships crew HMS Marlborough

 

 

 

Music is everywhere - even on war ships - 

-   
Band of HMS Marlborough : Batoum, May, 1920

 

 

 

 


The Dancing Club : Band bottom right - Euphonium and Bass Drum


 




 The Dancing Club : The Waltz - Band under the lifeboat - Just see cornet player, Tenor horns and cymbals

 

 

 


More of The Dancing Club : The Maxina Waltz

 

 

 

 

                 
 
Arthur top left on both pictures - love the mandolin

 

 

 


 Another group shot on HMS Marlborough

 

 

 

 


Before HMS Marlboroug : HMS Colossus

 

 

 

        

       
HMS Colossus



 

 


Arhur ran away at 16 to join the Navy : later worked on  Liverpool docks

 

 

 

 


Arthur on holiday with my Grandmother Grace, daughters Susan and Mary