In September 1915 Crutchley was promoted to lieutenant and posted to a battleship of the Grand Fleet, . "Centurion" participated in the Battle of Jutland. After the battle Captain Roger Keyes assumed command of "Centurion" and acquired a highly favorable impression of Crutchley. Keyes selected Crutchley for the Zeebrugge Raid of 23 April 1918; he was assigned by Keyes as first lieutenant to Commander Alfred Godsal, also of "Centurion", on the obsolete cruiser .