1ST DESTROYER FLOTILLA
Royal Navy Grand Fleet
HMS Fearless: Capt Charles Donnison Roper
HMS Defender: Lt Cdr Laurence Reynolds Palmer
HMS Acheron: Cdr Charles Gordon Ramsey
HMS Ariel: Lt Cdr Arthur Grendon Tippet
HMS Attack: Lt Cdr Charles Herbert Neill James
HMS Hydra: Lt Francis George Glossop
HMS Badger: Cdr Charles Albert Fremantle
HMS Lizard: Lt Cdr Edward Brooke
HMS Goshawk: Cdr Dashwood Fowler Moir
HMS Lapwing: Lt Cdr Alexander Hugh Gye

HMS BADGER
213551 H. C. BOLT. L.S. R.N.
Henry Congress Bolt, born 14th September 1884 in Portsea, Hants was a "Van Boy" before enlisting with the Royal Navy in 1901. He enlisted at a young age, initially as a B2Cl (Boy 2nd Class) - a rank for boys between the age of 15 and 17. His parents, or guardians, would have signed a declaration enlisting him for a minimum 12 year service.
While still on shore service, Bolt was promoted to B1Cl (Boy 1st Class) and further progressed to Ordinary Seaman while aboard H.M.S St. George. His next promotion came shortly after to Able Seaman while serving with H.M.S Good Hope.
Bolt was stationed at more than a dozen Royal Navy ships and shore establishments before serving aboard H.M.S Badger which saw action at the Battle of Jutland as part of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla.
H.M.S Badger was an Archeron-class destroyer, one of eighteen of her class. Built by William Denny & Brothers, Dunbarton, she was a part of the "1910-11 Programme" of ships which were built between 1911 and 1912.
As part of the 1st Destoyer Flotilla, under the command of Commander Charles A. Freemantle, the formation's task was to screen the Fifth Battle Squadron. However, as the battle unfolded, it became H.M.S Badger's distressing duty to search for survivors from H.M.S Invincible.
H.M.S Invincible was hit five times by Derfflinger and Lutzow. The last hit blew the roof off "Q" turret and ignited the cordite propellant held within. This flash travelled down into the magazine and tore the ship in two pieces. H.M.S Badger rescued two officers and four crew members from a contingent of 1026 officers and men, Rear-Admiral Hood among them.
H.M.S Badger can be seen attending the wreckage of H.M.S Invincible searching for survivors. This photograph was taken from H.M.S Benbow.
Henry Congress Bolt's records are held at the National Archives: ADM-188-374-123551. His surname is incorrectly catalogued as "Boli".
