The Battle of Jutland began on the 31st of May 1916, the first shots being fired at 14.28. HMS Chester was stationed ahead of the fleet in The North Sea. Lookouts reported distant gunfire and her Captain ordered Action Stations before setting off at full speed to investigate. Close ahead they encountered four German cruisers. Jack took orders via headphones from his Officer on the bridge. He was fully responsible for setting the gun's sights and his speed and precision would determine whether they were to hit or miss their target. The German cruisers opened fire and Jack's gun was one of the first to be hit before it could be brought into action and he suffered a serious wound to his chest. HMS Chester simply could not match the firepower of the four enemy cruisers. A report from the Commanding Officer of HMS Chester: Boy (1st Class) John Travers Cornwell of the Chester, was mortally wounded early in the action. He nevertheless remained standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders till the end of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded all round him.