 Lion served as the flagship of the Grand Fleet 's battlecruisers throughout World War I , except when she was being refitted or under repair . She sank the German light cruiser Cöln during the Battle of Heligoland Bight and served as Vice Admiral Beatty 's flagship at the battles of Dogger Bank and Jutland . She was so badly damaged at the first of these battles that she had to be towed back to port by the battlecruiser Indomitable and was under repair for more than two months . During the Battle of Jutland , Lion suffered a serious propellant fire that could have destroyed the ship if not for the action of Royal Marine Major Francis Harvey , the turret commander , who posthumously received the Victoria Cross for ordering the magazine to be flooded . However , the fire destroyed Harvey 's turret which had to be removed and rebuilt while the ship underwent repairs for several months . 
