It was thus, on the shores of the Isle of Wight, and on the quays and docks of Southampton, in communion with his father and the sea, that the seeds of adventure and patriotism were first sown in Jellicoe’s heart—destined to flourish into such a rich harvest for his country.
There is a little story told of Master Jack soon after he learned to toddle which shows that his character was forming even at that early age.
“Jacky” had a habit of running ahead of his nurse and suddenly darting across the road. The spirit of adventure; probably he was ambitious to be a boy scout. Eventually, finding that warnings were not heeded, the nurse told him that when she saw a policeman she would ask the Representative of Law and Order to take him away and put him in prison.
Presently a policeman appeared on the horizon of the pavement.
“Now, Master Jacky, you’d better behave yourself!” the nurse whispered warningly.
But young Jellicoe was not the least afraid of the man in blue. He advanced to meet him and solemnly looked him up and down.
“Nurse says you’re to take me in charge,” he announced.
The constable, taken aback, smiled and asked the nature of the “Charge.”