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A C Green
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At the Battle of Jutland
At the Battle of Jutland
A C Green's Commemorative Medallion, Battle of Jutland dated 31st May 1916. (RMM)
By the outbreak of World War One Green had risen from the rank of Musician to Band Corporal. This meant that he had now gained the qualifications to become second in charge of a band.
Green also served on HM ships during World War One and was aboard HMS Hercules during the Battle of Jutland. Luckily the ship did not sustain any damage or casualties.
Whilst serving on ships, bandsmen had another role; they had to man Transmitting Stations, which were part of the gunnery system. It was a highly skilful job which required fingertip control and firm discipline, which suited the bandsmen.
A great many bandsmen died during the War as the Transmitting Stations were down in the belly of the ship next to the fuel stores. If the ship was hit the men working within them had very little chance of survival.
Cartoon from The Fleet August 1916 page 254. Bandsman in a transmitting station at Jutland. (RMM)
Throughout this time, Green was still able to take part in social and sporting activities on board ship. Photographs on the Hercules show him in the football team and in a pantomime.
HMS Hercules Band Team 1916. A C Green, then a Bandmaster 2nd Class, features in the middle of the back row. (RMM)
In 1920 Green was promoted to Bandmaster 1st Class, and in 1923 gained the Royal Academy of Music's LRAM qualification.
