HMS TETCOTT'S WHITE BATTLE ENSIGN The rediscovery of HMS
Tetcott’s White Ensign which now sits in a purpose-made case on
the wall of the South Chapel of Tetcott Church can be said to be
the catalyst from which the HMS Tetcott Project was born. It is
well-known that the Royal Navy has always flown Battle Ensigns
when in action: numerous, big flags, from various parts of the
ship. The tradition originally began in the days of the sailing
navy, to ensure that at least one flag would continue to fly
should the rigging be damaged, because showing no ensign was a
signal that the ship had surrendered. A chance discovery of a
newspaper article - reporting on the visit to Tetcott of
Lieutenant Commander Rycroft, Sub Lieutenant Miles Dawson, and
eight ratings in 1941 - led to an investigation by author Shawn
Dymond and church warden Bill Cloke which would eventually lead
to the restoration and rededication of the ensign. A letter
written by Commander Rycroft after his visit to Tetcott, tells
the story of the presentati