Harry Mervyn Kemmis Betty

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Vice-Admiral Harry Mervyn Kemmis Betty, Royal Navy, Retired (2 June, 1869 – 22 December, 1940) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Kemmis Betty was the son of Colonel Joshua F. Kemmis Betty, R.A., of Hawkshurst, Kent. He was born in Shoeburyness, Sussex, and entered the navy direct from the school ship Conway.

On 28 November, 1890 Kemmis Betty was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant, dated 14 April, 1889. On 11 November, 1890 he was appointed to the Calypso.

Martin was appointed to the sailing brig Martin for navigating duties on 14 August, 1891.[1]

Martin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1892. In November, 1896 he went to the Iris as Lieutenant (N).

On 28 January, 1902 he married Katherine Jane Henrietta (1864-1948), daughter of Robert Carew Anderson and Jane Wallis Bolton.

On 31 December, 1903 he was promoted to the rank of Commander.

On 20 February, 1911 he was appointed to Ariadne to take command of Diadem. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 22 June.

On the occasion of the coronation of King George V, Kemmis Betty was promoted to the rank of Captain dated 22 June.[2]

From 15 January, 1913[3] to 1 April, 1919 he commanded the repair ship Assistance, which served at Scapa Flow during the Great War. On 1 April, 1919 he was appointed Rosyth Dockyard and succeeded Rear-Admiral Charles F. Henderson.[4]

He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 28 September, 1921, vice Davidson, and placed on the Retired List the following day.

On 10 January 1930 Kemmis Betty bought an Armstrong Siddeley Fabric Saloon, numbered 82293. He died on Sunday, 22 December, 1940 at Yewtree Cottage, Alresford, Hants..

Service Record

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
George C. Hardy
Captain of H.M.S. Diadem
20 Feb, 1911[5]
Succeeded by
John W. L. McClintock
Preceded by
Alfred C. Sykes
Captain of H.M.S. Assistance
15 Jan, 1913[6] – 1 Apr, 1919[7][8]
Succeeded by
Wilfred Henderson
Preceded by
Charles F. Henderson
Captain of Rosyth Dockyard
1 Apr, 1919 – 2 Apr, 1921
Succeeded by
William M. Kerr
Preceded by
?
King's Harbour Master, Rosyth
1 Apr, 1919 – 2 Apr, 1921
Succeeded by
Lewis G. E. Crabbe

 

Footnotes

  1. "Naval and Military Intelligence". The Times. Saturday, 15 August, 1891. Issue 33404, col F, p. 6.
  2. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28505. p. 4596. 19 June, 1911.
  3. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 734.
  4. "Naval Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 2 April, 1919. Issue 42064, col G, p. 23.
  5. The Navy List. (July, 1911). p. 300.
  6. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 734.
  7. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 734.
  8. The Navy List. (December, 1919). p. 728.