MY GRANDDAD FOUGHT WITH THE KING

MY GRANDDAD FOUGHT WITH THE KING

It was 31st May 1916, the titans met head on,
Like armoured knights at Crecy, the Danish coast so near.
My granddad, like the Duke of York on Collingwood,
Waited for their present, courtesy of Admiral Scheer.
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The battle lines were being drawn up,
Proud in combat formation, from blood to finest steel.
Tapered hull to towering funnel, the shipwrights art displayed,
Ironclad warriors amassed, forged in Devonport or Kiel.
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HMS Collingwood, battleship of St Vincent class,
23,000 tons of warship, manned with 820 heroic men.
My granddad one of them, Prince Albert being another.
The pride of 1st battle squadron going to war again.
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At 19:05 in the evening, Collingwoods cannon roared,
As German destroyers attacked, spitting torpedoes from the 6th and 9th flotilla.
A furious Collingwood all guns blazing, sent screaming shells in reply,
The APC's exploded and she became a killer.
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A sailors life is shortened in that icy sea,
Davy Jones be merciful, place them in Gods warm hand.
As the German destroyers smoked in ruin,
The casualty list heavy with the dead of Jutland.
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Then through the battle smoke came Derfflinger,
Spewing fire and hatred in a raging thunder.
But, Beattys Lion, one of the splendid cats,
Alongside Collingwood was determined to send her under.
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My granddad and the future King sweating hard,
manned the turrets of the mighty guns.
Salvos ripping out sheets of Derfflingers decking,
Would Jellicoe finish off the battered Huns?
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The greatest navy the world has ever seen,
Had the whole German fleet on its knees.
But, the over cautious Jellicoe,
Didn't see the wood for the trees.
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After so much death had visited Jutlands water,
Granddad and the future King watched amazed,
As our mighty fleet turned tail.
Leaving shattered comrades in ships a blazed.
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The Battle of Jutland, history will reveal,
So many dead, great ships forever gone.
The Dreadnoughts Black Prince, Queen Mary and Invincible,
Granddad and the future King shed tears as one.
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My granddad Charles Hall served on HMS Collingwood in the Battle of Jutland and my Dad still has the medal awarded to all servicemen after that battle. my Granddad did serve with Prince Albert during the battle, but we'll never know if he actually spoke to him, (stammer and all).  prince Albert going on to become King George V1. Granddad also served on the mighty battleships HMS Resolution and HMS Renown. A hero from a bygone age, but my granddad and i'm bloody proud of him.
                  

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Phil Hall    February 2012