THE grandson of First World War admiral visited Harwich after watching a television programme on the surrender of the German U-boat fleet.

Admiral Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt was stationed in Harwich for the entirety of the First World War and commanded the Harwich Force, a large fleet of light cruisers and destroyers, within that time.

The admiral's grandson Reggie Tyrwhitt and his wife Charlotte, who live in Lincolnshire, decided to visit Harwich on after watching a BBC show on the 1918 surrender of the German U-boats off the coast of Harwich.

The pair visited Harwich last Saturday *August 17* and were greeted by members of the Harwich Society.

The BBC programme had included an interview with the Harwich Society’s vice chairman, David Whittle.

David gave Reggie and Charlotte a tour of historic Harwich, stopping off at Beacon Hill Fort which would have featured heavily in the admiral’s time of command.

The Harwich Society’s archive now contains personal letters from the admiral.

David said: "Admiral Sir Reginald Tyrwhitt is a very significant figure within Harwich’s role in the First World War and it was a privilege to meet his grandson and to increase our knowledge and archive material on the admiral.

"In return, Reggie and Charlotte were able to see the places that featured so heavily in the admiral’s life throughout the war."

The admiral’s command oversaw a number of important naval encounters during the First World War including the first shot fired at sea.

David added: "The admiral was clearly very well liked and respected and it is said that he only took three weeks leave throughout the entirety of the war.

"The waters off Harwich and the town itself would have been central to his life at this time and it was a pleasure to see the connection between Harwich and the Tyrwhitt family renewed through this visit."