[Admiral Jellicoe, commander of the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J R Jellicoe') congratulating 'Cecil', i.e. future Admiral Sir Stanley Colville, on the birth of a son, discussing his 'joining' the ship as guest.

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with a few light stains from mount. Folded once. Having seen the Times announcement of the birth of Cecil's son the previous Saturday, Jellicoe sends his 'Most hearty congratulations' on the birth of Cecil's son, and is 'so delighted that all is going so satisfactorily & that you can come to see us on the 14th. [...] My wife will be filled with jealousy, I feel sure.' He will send him 'further details as to joining' as soon as he can 'ascertain from the C in C [Sir Assheton Curzon-Howe (1850-1911), to whom Jellicoe had been appointed second-in-command the previous August] his proposed time of arrival at Weymouth. He is at present attending a conference in London [?]'. He ends his 'best wishes for a very speedy recovery for Lady Adelaide', i.e. Colville's wife, born Lady Adelaide Jane Meade. In a postscript he reports: 'I hear rumours of a command for you. If they are correct please accept my very heartiest congratulations'. The child was Colville's second son, the future Commander Sir Richard Colville (1907-1975).