The call has gone out to all ex-servicemen inviting them to attend a ceremony marking the Battle of Jutland today.

Exactly 100 years after the Battle of Jutland happened, a poignant ceremony will take place in Bovey Tracey.

Today a century will have passed since the battlecruiser HMS Indefatigable was destroyed when her magazine was hit by German fire. In one moment 1,017 men died and just two of her crew survived.

One of the men who died that day was Stoker Percy Kendall, of Bovey Tracey. Percy’s family lived in Station Road and to mark his sacrifice a small ceremony will take place in the nearby Heritage Centre, the former railway station and home to a display on the Great War.

At precisely 4.06pm, the time of the explosion, a poppy will be laid by Tim Nunce, the grand-nephew of Stoker Frederick Nunce who also lost his life in the explosion.

The Bovey Tracey Heritage Trust has organised the ceremony, and Mark Bailey of the trust is inviting all ex-servicemen to attend. He says: ‘There are many men and women who have served in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines living in the area. Any former personnel who want to pay their respects are invited to the heritage centre off St John’s Lane by 3.55pm.  We hope that any servicemen or women, past or present, will wear headgear for the occasion.  

‘I would especially like to hear from anyone possessing a bosun’s call who would be able to pipe the Still and the Carry-on to mark the start and finish of a two-minute period of silence. They can contact me on 01626 834502.’