Commemorative coin tribute to sailor who won VC at Battle of Jutland

A Royal Navy descendant of a hero at the Battle of Jutland today helped launch a commemorative coin.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the battle, the Royal Mint has issued ‘the Boy Hero of Jutland’ on a commemorative UK £5 coin.

September 21 is Jack Cornwell day and the 16-year-old is depicted in a portrait-style design at his post, as the last surviving gunner aboard the stricken HMS Chester.

The coin’s edge lettering reads ‘mother, don’t watch for postie’ a quotation from ‘The Ballad of Jack Cornwell’ by Charles Causley.

The coin, struck in sterling silver, was unveiled at the Imperial War Museum at a ceremony attended by Cornwell’s great great nephew Able Seaman Alex Saridis, who currently serves in HMS Iron Duke.

Alex, 23, said, “It is a great honour that Uncle Jack has been recognised in this way. I am glad to see his sacrifice and courage is remembered all these years on.”

The museum currently has the gun from HMS Chester on display, as well as Cornwell’s VC.

The Royal Mint has been making official military campaign medals since it was commissioned to make awards for soldiers who fought in the battle of Waterloo in 1815.

The Jack Cornwell coin is one of a series of six being issued by the Royal Mint in collaboration with the Imperial War Museum to mark the centenary of World War 1.