Grand Fleet Grand Fleet The Grand Fleet was the main fleet of the Royal Navy during the First World War. Formed in August 1914 from the First Fleet and elements of the Second Fleet of the Home Fleets, the Grand Fleet included 25–35 state-of-the-art capital ships. It was initially commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe. He was succeeded by Admiral Sir David Beatty in December 1916. The Grand Fleet was based first at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands and later at Rosyth on the Firth of Forth. It took part in the biggest fleet action of the war – the Battle
Centenary of the outbreak of World War I 49 beams of light rising above London from Victoria Tower Gardens to mark the centenary of the entry of Britain into the war. Between 5 August (the centenary of the first day of the war) and 11 November (Remembrance Day) 2014 at the Tower of London, a ceramic poppy was planted for each British and Commonwealth soldier that died, making up the artwork titled "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red". Centenary of the outbreak of World War I The centenary of the outbreak of World War I was commemorated in Europe in late July and early August 2014. A