‘There seems to be something wrong with our ships today’ – The Battle of Jutland
The RLC Museum is excited to welcome veteran submariner Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB, CVO, as he recounts the dramatic events surrounding the Battle of Jutland, May 1916.
In the first of our Thursday night talk series, he will bring to life the largest naval engagement of the First World War which pitted the might of the Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet against the guns of the German High Seas Fleet.
In this engaging evening talk, titled “There seems to be something wrong with our ships today”, he will attempt to draw out the opportunities that were taken – and missed – by both sides as Britannia fought to prove she truly ruled the waves.
Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB, CVO
Peter Wilkinson joined the Royal Navy in 1975 as a University Cadet, studying at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and St David’s College, Lampeter.
He joined submarines as soon as he could and served in both diesel and nuclear boats before completing the Commanding Officers Qualifying Course in 1987. He then commanded HM Submarines Otter, Superb and Vanguard before finishing his operational career as Captain of the Second Submarine Squadron based in Devonport. Undertaking a range of staff appointments in London and Portsmouth, he worked for both the First and Second Sea Lords and the Chief of the Defence Staff, before retiring from the RN in 2010.
Subsequently, he was Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Cooks (a London Livery Company with strong links to the RLC) for 11 years. From 2012-2016 he was National President of the Royal British Legion and he recently chaired an appeal to build a new submarine memorial at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire. He is a Vice President of the Royal Navy Football Association and a Trustee of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
He and his wife, Tracey, live at Warsash near Fareham, and have two adult daughters, Kate and Hilary.
Light refreshments are included in the ticket price, as well as the opportunity to explore the museum after dark before the talk begins.
