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Royal Navy (RN) Officers
20th Century (non-World War II)

 

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Note. In naval circles it is custom to refer to the commander of a vessel as Captain. The Navy List bears the phrase "in command". Strictly out of practical considerations CO (Commanding Officer) is used here on this site. Abbreviations and explanations can be found at the help page.
 

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A      
       

 
B      
Beattie,
John Humphrey
J.H. Beattie
Son of Maj. Walter Albert Beattie, MC, South Lancashire Regiment (1893-1950), and Doreen Margaret Hester Bayley (1904-1977).
1928
-
Cadet (Special Entry)
01.09.1945
Midsh
01.09.1946
A/S.Lt.
01.01.1948
S.Lt.
21.10.1949, seniority 01.01.1948
A/Lt.
01.11.1949
Lt.
12.06.1950, seniority 01.11.1949 (retd 17.05.1957)
01.09.1945


special entry cadet
(07.1948)


no appointment listed
(05.1950)


HMS Forth (submarine depot ship) *
18.03.1952
-
(05.1953)
HMS Rattlesnake (Algerine class minesweeper)
(01.1956)


HMS Vernon (training establishment, Portsmouth) *
* indexed, but not listed as such
Worked for Decca Radar.
Published technical papers & articles on radar, navigation, etc.

 
C      
       

 
D      
Dannreuther,
Hubert Edward
H.E. Dannreuther
Youngest son of late Prof. Edward George Dannreuther (1844-1905) [pianist, conductor, writer and lecturer on music], and Chariclea Anthea Euterpe (Ionides) Dannreuther (1844-1923). Married (26.09.1916; London) Jane Hay (1890-1984), youngest daughter of late John Hay Thorburn; three sons:
Hubert Harold [Capt., RN]; 
Ion Alexander [Capt., RA];
Raymond Portal [Capt., RN]
12.12.1880
London
-
12.08.1977
Hastings, East Sussex
Midsh
?
A/S.Lt.
15.10.1900
S.Lt.
08.01.1902, seniority 15.10.1900
Lt.
15.10.1902
Cdr.
31.12.1914
Capt.
30.06.1920
Cdre. 2nd cl.
02.11.1931
R.Adm.
15.10.1932 (retd 16.10.1932)
Distinguished Service Order DSO
15.09.1916
loss of HMS Invincible *
Mention in Despatches MID
03.03.1915
Battle of Falkland Islands
Order of St Anne, 3rd Class, with Swords; French Croix de Guerre with palms, 02.11.1917
* The senior of the two surviving officers of the "Invincible". Up till the moment when the ship blew up Commander Dannreuther controlled the fire of "Invincible" in a manner which produced visible and overwhelming results on the enemy.
Education: Privately; HMS Britannia
1895


joined HMS Britannia
1896


chief cadet Captain
1911
-
1912
Gunnery Lieutenant of HMS Exmouth, Flagship of Mediterranean Fleet (commanded Guard of Honour on official landing of the King at Malta, 01.1912)
(08.1914)
-
31.05.1916
First and Gunnery Lieutenant of HMS Invincible (battlecruiser) (in action of Heligoland Bight 28.08.1914; also when Flagship of Vice-Adm. Sturdee at Battle of Falkland Islands, 08.12.1914 (despatches, promoted to Commander); senior of six survivors when ship was sunk, 31.05.1916 (despatches, DSO))
1916
-
1919
Commander [= Executive Officer], HMS Renown (battlecruiser)
1919
-
1920
HMS Excellent (gunnery school, Portsmouth)
1920
-
1923
Vice-President, Chemical Warfare Committee
14.10.1924
-
1926
CO HMS Dauntless (cruiser) (Mediterranean)
08.03.1927
-
11.03.1929
Captain Superintendent of Training and in command of the Flinders Naval Depôt, Australia [HMAS Cerberus]
(08.1929)


na appointment listed
18.10.1929
-
(02.)1931
CO HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier) (Mediterranean)
02.11.1931
-
(09.)1932
Commodore of RN Barracks, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
1939?


Assistant Director General, Control Division, Ministry of Information

 
E      
       

 
F      
Finigan,
Thomas Alphonsus

T.A. Finigan
11.07.1921
-
13.03.1988
Walsall, Staffordshire
A/S.Lt. (S)
15.05.1947
S.Lt. (S)
19.01.1948, seniority 15.05.1947
Lt. (S)
15.11.1948
A/Lt.Cdr. (S)
11.04.1953
Lt.Cdr. (S)
23.02.1954, seniority 11.04.1953 (retd 14.08.1958)
01.1948
-
(07.1948)
HMS Triumph (aircraft carrier) (Mediterranean)
02.1949
-
(05.1950)
for duty in Admiral's Office, Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean [HMS St Angelo (RN base, Malta)]
09.04.1952
-
(05.1953)
HMS Blackcap (RN Air Station, Warrington, Lancashire)
06.01.1954
-
(01.1956)
HMS Ocean (aircraft carrier)
?
-
(01.1957)
HMS Mercury (signal school, near Petersfield)
       

 
G      
Garnett,
Sir Ian David Graham
Source: Defence Academy webpage Source: www.nato.int
Son of late Capt. Ian Graham Hartt Garnett, DSC, RN and Barbara Anne Langrishe (née Hackett). Married (1973) Charlotte Mary Anderson; one son (James), two daughters (Philippa & Georgina).
27.09.1944
Surrey
-
Cadet
01.09.1962
Lt.
01.03.1967
Lt.Cdr.
01.03.1975
Cdr.
1978
Capt.
31.12.1983
R.Adm.
1993
V.Adm.
08.1995
Adm.
09.2001 (retd 12.2004)
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath KCB
?
?
Education: Canford School; BRN College Dartmouth
1962


entered RN



HMS London



HMS Beachampton



HM Yacht Britannia
1968
-
1969
flying training (qualified as an anti-submarine warfare helicopter pilot)
1969
-
1970
HMS Hermes, 814 Squadron
1971
-
1972
Loan Service, RAN (HMAS Melbourne)
1973
-
1974
HMS Tiger, 826 Squadron
1974
-
1976
Warfare Officer (HMS Blake; Operations Officer, HMS Naiad)
1977
-
1978
Senior Pilot, 820 Squadron
1978
-
1980
Deputy Director, Joint Maritime Ooperations Training School
1981
-
1982
CO HMS Amazon (frigate) (Home Waters, Far East, South Atlantic)
1983


RN staff course, RN Staff College, Greenwich
1983
-
1986
Assistant Director (Ships), Operational Requirements Division, Admiralty
1986
-
1988
Captain Fourth Frigate Squadron (HMS Active)
1988
-
1989
CO RN Presentation Team
1989
-
1989
Captain Naval Operational Command Systems
1989
-
1992
Director, Operational Requirements (Sea Systems), Admiralty
1993
-
1995
Flag Officer Naval Aviation
08.1995
-
1999
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
02.1999
-
2001
Chief of Joint Operations at the Permanent Joint Headquarters (United Kingdom)
09.2001
-
2004
SACEUR’s Chief of Staff, SHAPE
Member, Fleet Air Arm Officers Association, 1992-. Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies, 05.01.2005-.
Gretton,
Michael Peter



Son of V.Adm. Sir Peter Gretton, KCB, DSO, OBE, DSC, MA and of Dorothy N.G. ("Judy") Gretton (née Du Vivier).
Married (1973) Stephanie O'Neill; one son, three daughters.
14.03.1946
-
Cadet
09.1963
Midsh.
09.1964
S.Lt.
01.09.1965
A/Lt.
01.05.1968
Lt.
13.07.1970, seniority 01.12.1967
Lt.Cdr.
01.12.1975
A/Cdr.
11.1977
Cdr.
31.12.1977
Capt.
30.06.1984
Cdre.
04.1990
R.Adm.
30.04.1993
V.Adm.
10.12.1994 (retd 04.1998)
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order CVO
31.12.2004
New Year 05
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
31.12.1997

New Year 98

Education: Ampleforth College; Britannia RN College Dartmouth; Trinity College, Oxford (BA PPE; MA)
09.1963
-
08.1964
Cadet, Britannia RN College Dartmouth and HMS Torquay
09.1964
-
08.1965
Midshipman, HMS Tiger
09.1965
-
07.1968
Trinity College, Oxford
09.1968
-
10.1969
training at Britannia RN College Dartmouth & Sub-Lieutenant's course
11.1969
-
07.1970
HMS Rothesay
08.1970
-
12.1971
HMS Ark Royal
04.1972
-
12.1973
CO HMS Bossington
01.1974
-
09.1974
HMS Dryad (for Principal Warfare Officer course)
09.1974
-
12.1976
HMS Bacchante (as Warfare Officer and First Lieutenant)
01.1977
-
10.1977
RN College Greenwich (for Staff Course)
11.1977
-
02.1980
CO HMS Ambuscade
03.1980
-
05.1982
Directorate of Naval Plans, Naval Staff, Ministry of Defence
05.1982
-
11.1984
Staff Officer (Operations) to Flag Officer 3rd Flotilla [HMS Nelson]
01.1985
-
12.1986
Deputy Director of Naval Recruiting (Officers), Naval Staff, Ministry of Defence
01.1987
-
12.1987
Royal College of Defence Studies
08.1988
-
03.1990
CO HMS Invincible
04.1990
-
03.1991
in command of NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic
04.1991
-
07.1993
Director of Naval Staff Duties, Naval Staff, Ministry of Defence
09.1993
-
12.1994
Commander UK Task Group and
NATO's Anti­Submarine Warfare Striking Force
12.1994
-
01.1998
Representative of the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in Europe (NATO HQ, Brussels)
Governor: St Edward's School, Oxford, 1985-; Farleigh School, Red Rice, 1992-2004; St Mary's School, Shaftesbury, 1999-.... President, RN RFU, 1993-1995. FNI 1994. Director of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, 1998-2005. Current employment is with World Challenge Expeditions. President of the HMS Whimbrel Battle of the Atlantic Memorial (1942-1949).

H      
Hallifax,
Sir David John

Son of V.Adm. Ronald Hamilton Curzon Hallifax and Joanne Mary Hallifax (née Hughes). Married (08.12.1962) Anne Blakiston Houston (b. 08.01.1934); two sons (Thomas Ronald, b. 1965; Matthew William Hughes, b. 1967, d. 1989), one daughter (Louisa Kate, b. 1964)
03.09.1927
-
23.08.1992
(died of Motor Neurone Disease)
Cadet (Special Entry)
01.09.1945
Midsh.
01.09.1946
A/S.Lt.
01.01.1948
S.Lt.
?, seniority 01.01.1948
Lt.
01.05.1950
Lt.Cdr.
01.05.1958
Cdr.
31.12.1963
Capt.
31.12.1969
A/R.Adm.
?
R.Adm.
07.01.1979
V.Adm.
01.04.1982
Adm.
06.01.1986 (retd 1987)
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath KCB
11.06.1983
HM's birthday 83
Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order KCVO
30.04.1992
?
Knight of the Order of the British Empire KBE
11.10.1982
operations South Atlantic
Education: Winchester College
01.09.1945


special entry cadet
(07.1948)


no appointment listed
07.10.1949
-
1951
HMS Chameleon (minesweeping, Gulf of Salonika)
25.08.1952
-
(05.1953)
CO MTB 5008
1954


Long TAS Course
10.10.1955
-
(02.1956)
HMS Daedalus (RN Air Station, Lee-on-Solent) (miscellaneous duties)
1956


HMS Salerno (Suez crisis)



HMS Whirlwind (West Indies)
1959


Staff College, Camberley
01.01.1960
-
(07.1961)
First Lieutenant, HMS Ulster
05.02.1962
-
(02.1963)
Squadron TAS Officer, 2nd Frigate Squadron [HMS Undaunted]
1964
-
1965
CO HMS Agincourt
(02.1969)


HMS Hampshire *
(07.1971)


Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Policy) *
1972


Royal College of Defence Studies
1973
-
1975
CO HMS Fife



Director of Naval Operational Requirements, Ministry of Defence
1978
-
1980
Flag Officer, First Flotilla
1980
-
1982
Chief of Staff to Commander-in-Chief Fleet (Northwood HQ)
1982
-
1984
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic
(11.1985)


no appointment listed
1986
-
1987
Commandant, Royal College of Defence Studies
Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle, 1988-92.
* indexed, but not listed as such

 
I      
       

 
J      
       

 
K      
       

 
L      
       

 
M      
Martin,
James

J. Martin (Photo courtesy of Dr W.J. (Liam) Martin; website: Postman Bill from Derry City)
Son of William Martin and Bridget Martin (née McSheffrey) of Derry City, N. Ireland.
Married 1st Jayne Campbell (widowed).
Married 2nd May Boyle; one son.
1897
Derry City, Northern Ireland

-
04.1991
Coleraine, Northern Ireland
Schoolmaster *
04.09.1920
Schoolmaster **
21.02.1935 (retd 06.04.1938; own request)

* Warrant Rank
** Commissioned Officer from Warrant Rank

Education: St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin; St Columb's College, Derry
04.04.1923
-
(08.1923)
HMS Cambrian (light cruiser)
01.01.1925
-
(01.)1925
HMS Ganges (training establishment, Shotley)
01.10.1925
-
(07.1927)
HMNZS Diomede (cruiser) [lent to Royal New Zealand Navy]
01.10.1928
-
(04.)1930
HMS St Vincent (boys' training establishment, Forton, Hampshire)
14.07.1930
-
(10.)1930
RN Barracks, Chatham [HMS Pembroke]
03.10.1930
-
(09.1932)
HMS Hermes (aircraft carrier) (China)
01.11.1933
-
(07.)1937
HMS Ganges (training establishment, Shotley)
27.08.1937
-
(02.)1938
HMS Neptune (cruiser) (Africa)
Principal of Boleran elementary School, Garvah, County Derry, N. Ireland 1938-1970.
McKinlay,
Alfred White

A.W. McKinlay
Married ((12?).1909, district of Camberwell).
(09?).1877
Portsmouth, Hampshire
-
died between 07.1959 and 07.1962
Midsh
?
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
?
Eng.Lt.
?
Eng.Lt.Cdr.
?
Eng.Cdr.
01.12.1916
Eng.Capt.
31.12.1923
Eng.R.Adm.
28.01.1929 (retd 24.04.1933; own request)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
11.06.1919

for valuable services as Engineer Officer of destroyers, and in charge of repairs to machinery of Grand Fleet destroyers

01.10.1924
-
(01.1925)
Fleet Engineer Officer, China Station [HMS Hawkins (cruiser)]
28.04.1927
-
(07.1927)
Senior Engineer Officers Course, RN College, Greenwich
(08.1929)


no appointment listed
(04.1930)


short course of instruction
23.04.1930
-
(09.1932)
on staff of Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth [HMS Vivid (RN base, Devonport)]

 
N      
       

 
O      
       

 
P      
       

 
Q      
       

 
R      
       

 
S      
       

 
T      
       

 
U      
       

 
V      
       

 
W      
Welby-Everard,
Roger Earle

R.E. Welby-Everard
Son of Capt. Philip Herbert Earle Welby-Everard, OBE, DSC, RN, and ....
?
-

Caythorpe,
Grantham,
Lincolnshire
Cadet
01.09.1960
Midsh
?
A/S.Lt.
01.09.1962
S.Lt.
02.04.1965, seniority 01.09.1962
Lt.
01.06.1965 (retd 06.03.1971; own request)
1961
-
1963
Midshipman, HMS Cavalier
(02.1963)


The Britannia RN College, Dartmouth *
(02.1968)
-
(02.1969)
HMS Resolution *
* indexed, but not listed as such
Assistant Editor (On-line), The Naval Review.

 
X      
       

 
Y      
       

 
Z      
       


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