Portrait postcard of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe of the Royal Navy. Appointed Commander of the British Home Fleets on August 2, 1914, Jellicoe was criticized for his leadership of the British fleet during the May 31, 1916 Battle of Jutland in which he failed to decisively defeat the German High Seas Fleet. He was made First Sea Lord later that year. The card was postmarked from Glasgow, Scotland, on January 7, 1915.

Admiral Sir John Jellicoe

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With war imminent, First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill and First Sea Lord John Fisher gave Admiral Sir John Jellicoe Command of the British Home Fleets on August 2, 1914. Jellicoe took command the next day, and put to sea on August 4.

Jellicoe, particularly after the May 31, 1916 Battle of Jutland, was judged to be too cautious, too fearful of losing ships to mines and submarines to aggressively pursue the German fleet. He also centralized control of his fleet even when he had no knowledge on which to base decisions.

Jellicoe's caution did ensure that the British Fleet could continue to impose its blockade of Germany, its most critical task.

In late 1916, Jellicoe was made First Sea Lord, and was replaced as Commander of the British Home Fleets by David Beatty.

He opposed the introduction of the convoy system, which helped end the crippling losses that Germany's submarine warfare inflicted.

Prime Minister Lloyd George removed him from his position on December 24, 1917.

National Affiliation: Great Britain