View source for Fifth Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)

The '''Fifth Battle Squadron''' was a fighting unit of the British [[Royal Navy]] before and during the [[First World War]].

==History==

===December, 1912===
<ref>Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.  [BRG 1/1]</ref>
The Fleet flagship was {{UK-1Neptune}}, which was not part of any Battle Squadron.

*{{UK-Queen}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Bulwark}}
*{{UK-Formidable}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Irresistible}}
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Venerable}}

===December, 1913===
<ref>Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.  [BRG 1/1]</ref>
Despite some shuffling in other Battle Squadrons, the Fifth is unchanged from the previous year's roster.  It is part of the [[Second Fleet (Royal Navy)|Second Fleet]].
*{{UK-Queen}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Bulwark}}
*{{UK-Formidable}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Irresistible}}
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Venerable}}

===July, 1914===
{{AWO1914|109 of 10 July, 1914}}<ref>Printed page "Fleets and Squadrons in Commission at Home and Abroad" in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.  [BRG 1/1]</ref>

Operating as part of the [[Second Fleet (Royal Navy)|Second Fleet]].  Some handwritten notes on this source indicate flux of some kind.
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Bulwark}}
*{{UK-Formidable}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Irresistible}}
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Queen}} (detached for Training Duties at Home Ports)
*{{UK-Venerable}}
*{{UK-LordNelson}} (faintly handwritten in, possibly coming in from {{UK-BS|6}} soon after July)
*{{UK-Agamemnon}} (faintly handwritten in, possibly coming in from {{UK-BS|4}} soon after July)

Attached:  {{UK-Topaze|f=t}}

===5 August, 1914===
With the fleet organised under flagship {{UK-IronDuke}}, the squadron was based at Portland along with the {{UK-BS|6}}, and had the same eight pre-dreadnoughts as in December, 1912, now supported by a cruiser.{{DittColl|p. 15}}
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}}
*{{UK-Bulwark}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Irresistible}}
*{{UK-Formidable}}
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Queen}}
*{{UK-Venerable}}

Attached: {{UK-Topaze|f=t}}

===September, 1914===
The Squadron is in the [[Channel Fleet]] with the {{UK-BS|7}} with a strength of 10 pre-dreadnoughts with three divisions, screened by two light cruisers.{{SMNLSep14|p. 9}}
*{{UK-LordNelson}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Queen}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] third flag
*{{UK-Bulwark}}
*{{UK-Formidable}}
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Venerable}}
*{{UK-Irresistible}}
*{{UK-Agamemnon}}

Attached: {{UK-1Diamond|f=t}}, {{UK-Topaze|f=t}}

This roster would last until November or December.{{SMNLOct14|p. 9  No November Supplement was produced}}

===December, 1914===
{{UK-Bulwark}} was removed, as she was lost to an internal explosion on 26 November.{{SMNLDec14|p. 9}}
*{{UK-LordNelson}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Queen}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] third flag
*{{UK-Formidable}}
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Venerable}}
*{{UK-Irresistible}}
*{{UK-Agamemnon}}

Attached: {{UK-1Diamond|f=t}}, {{UK-Topaze|f=t}}

This roster would last just one month.

===January, 1915===
{{UK-Formidable}} was dropped from the Navy List, perhaps because she was torpedoed on 1 January.{{SMNLJan15|p. 9}}  ''Lord Nelson'' became flagship on 7 January and would be replaced by {{UK-PrinceOfWales}} on 15 February.{{UKCeased|f. 6}}  
*{{UK-LordNelson}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Queen}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] third flag
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Venerable}}
*{{UK-Irresistible}}
*{{UK-Agamemnon}}

Attached: {{UK-1Diamond|f=t}}, {{UK-Topaze|f=t}}

This roster would last until February or March, 1915.{{SMNLMar15|p. 9.  No copy for February was found}}

===March, 1915===
{{UK-LordNelson}}, {{UK-Irresistible}} and {{UK-Agamemnon}} were removed in March, as they'd been transferred to the Mediterranean for the Dardanelles campaign.{{SMNLMar15|pp. 9, 18}}  {{UK-PrinceOfWales}} had her last day as flagship on 19 March, then handing it to {{UK-Russell}}.{{UKCeased|f. 6}}  
*{{UK-PrinceOfWales}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Queen}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-1London}}
*{{UK-Implacable}}
*{{UK-Venerable}}

Attached: {{UK-1Diamond|f=t}}, {{UK-Topaze|f=t}}

This roster would last just a month.

===April, 1915===
{{UK-Russell}} had her last day as flagship on 7 April, then handing it to {{UK-Venerable}}.  She kept it only until the 24th, after which it went to {{UK-1Exmouth}}.{{UKCeased|f. 6}}  

All the battleships were then dispatched to the Dardanelles except {{UK-Venerable}}, which had been made flagship of the Channel or Southern Fleet.  {{UK-Topaze}} had followed ''Venerable'' and {{UK-1Diamond}} had been sent to the {{UK-BS|3}}.{{SMNLApr15|pp. 9, 10, 14, 19}}

The Squadron would remain inactive until October, 1915, when it would reappear in an altogether more modern form.<ref>5BS is not listed in ''Supplements'' for May, Jun, Jul, Aug or Sep, 1915.</ref>

===October, 1915===
The Squadron is re-constituted and is going to grow into the fast wing of the Battle Fleet.  It starts with {{UK-Barham}}, just entering service, and brings in her sisters {{UK-QueenElizabeth}} from the {{UK-BS|4}} and {{UK-Warspite}} from the {{UK-BS|2}}.{{SMNLOct15|p. 10}} {{UK-Barham}} became flagship on 1 October.{{UKCeased|f. 6}}  
*{{UK-Barham}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} 
*{{UK-Warspite}}

It had no light cruiser attached.

This roster would last until February, 1916.{{SMNLNov15|p. 10, and Supplements through January}}

===February, 1916===
The Squadron gained newly-completed super-dreadnoughts {{UK-Valiant}} and {{UK-Malaya}}.{{SMNLOct15|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Barham}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Malaya}} 
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} 
*{{UK-Valiant}} 
*{{UK-Warspite}}

This roster would last until June, 1916.{{SMNLMar16|p. 10}}{{SMNLApr16|p. 10}}{{SMNLMay16|p. 10}}

===Battle of Jutland===
By 1916, the squadron had been transformed to become the home of the most powerful dreadnoughts in the fleet, comprised solely of fast super-dreadnoughts.  At Jutland, four of the five were at sea supporting the [[Battle Cruiser Fleet]], commanded as follows.{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 33, 46}}
* {{UK-Barham}}, Captain [[Arthur Craig Waller|Craig]] [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] {{RearRN}} [[Hugh Evan-Thomas|Evan-Thomas]]
* {{UK-Valiant}}, Captain [[Maurice Woollcombe|Woolcombe]]
* {{UK-Warspite}}, Captain [[Edward Montgomery Phillpotts|Phillpotts]]
* {{UK-Malaya}}, Captain [[Algernon Douglas Edward Harry Boyle|Boyle]]
* {{UK-QueenElizabeth}}, in dock at time of battle

===June, 1916===
Battle damage to {{UK-Barham}} prompted a change of flag to {{UK-QueenElizabeth}} on 4 June, though ''Barham'' would resume this role on 12 July.{{SMNLJun16|p. 10}}{{UKCeased|f. 6}}  
*{{UK-Barham}}  
*{{UK-Malaya}} 
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] (temporarily)
*{{UK-Valiant}} 
*{{UK-Warspite}}

This roster would last until August, 1916.{{SMNLJul16|p. 10}}

===August, 1916===
{{UK-Barham}} resumed her role as flagship this month, and a light cruiser has finally been attached, {{UK-Blonde}} from miscellaneous work "in Home Waters or on detached service".{{SMNLAug16|p. 10}}{{SMNLJul16|p. 14}}
*{{UK-Barham}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Malaya}} 
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} 
*{{UK-Valiant}} 
*{{UK-Warspite}}

Attached: {{UK-Blonde|f=t}} 

This roster would last until October, 1916.{{SMNLSep16|p. 10}}

===October, 1916===
{{UK-Blonde}} was moved over to the {{UK-BS|4}} in October.{{SMNLOct16|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Barham}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Malaya}} 
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} 
*{{UK-Valiant}} 
*{{UK-Warspite}}

This roster would last until February or March, 1917.{{SMNLNov16|p. 10}}{{SMNLDec16|p. 10}}{{SMNLJan17|p. 10.  No February ''Supplement'' was found}}

===October, 1916===
{{UK-Blonde}} was moved over to the {{UK-BS|4}} in October.{{SMNLOct16|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Barham}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Malaya}} 
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} 
*{{UK-Valiant}} 
*{{UK-Warspite}}

This roster would last until February or March, 1917.{{SMNLNov16|p. 10}}{{SMNLDec16|p. 10}}{{SMNLJan17|p. 10.  No February ''Supplement'' was found}}

===March, 1917===
{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} was removed from the Squadron in March or possibly February, as she had been appointed flagship of the Grand Fleet.{{SMNLMar17|p. 10}}
* {{UK-Barham}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
* {{UK-Valiant}}
* {{UK-Warspite}}
* {{UK-Malaya}}

This roster would last just one month.

===April, 1917===
{{UK-1Blanche}} was added to the Squadron in April, fresh from miscellaneous work "in Home Waters or on detached service".{{SMNLApr17|p. 10}}{{SMNLMar17|p. 14}}
* {{UK-Barham}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
* {{UK-Valiant}}
* {{UK-Warspite}}
* {{UK-Malaya}}

Attached:  {{UK-1Blanche|f=t}}

This roster would last until August.{{SMNLMay17|p. 10}}{{SMNLJun17|p. 10}}{{SMNLJul17|p. 10}}

===August, 1917===
The Squadron lost its light cruiser again in August, as {{UK-1Blanche}} transferred to the {{UK-BS|2}}.{{SMNLAug17|p. 10}}
* {{UK-Barham}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
* {{UK-Valiant}}
* {{UK-Warspite}}
* {{UK-Malaya}}

This roster would last until October.{{SMNLSep17|p. 10}}

===October, 1917===
The fickle cruiser {{UK-1Blanche}} has transferred back in from {{UK-BS|2}}.{{SMNLOct17|p. 10}}{{SMNLSep17|p. 10}}
* {{UK-Barham}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
* {{UK-Valiant}}
* {{UK-Warspite}}
* {{UK-Malaya}}

Attached:  {{UK-1Blanche|f=t}}

This roster would last through the end of the war &mdash; indeed until March, 1919.<ref>''Supplements'' for Nov and Dec, 1917, as well as all months except September 1918.</ref>

===March, 1919===
{{UK-1Blanche}} left, apparently placed in reserve..{{SMNLMar19|p. 10}}{{SMNLSep17|pp. 10, 17}}
* {{UK-Barham}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
* {{UK-Valiant}}
* {{UK-Warspite}}
* {{UK-Malaya}}

This roster would last just one month.

===April, 1919===
{{UK-Valiant}} was made flagship on 1 April.  On the 7th, her Vice-Admiral would be transferred to {{UK-BS|2}}, and the Squadron would have a Rear-Admiral commanding.{{SMNLMar19|p. 10}}{{SMNLSep17|pp. 10, 17}}{{UKCeased|f. 6}}  
* {{UK-Barham}} 
* {{UK-Valiant}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
* {{UK-Warspite}}
* {{UK-Malaya}}

This roster would last just one month.

===May, 1919===
The Squadron has been abolished or re-designated as the {{UK-BS|2}}, as all four battleships are now thereat.{{SMNLApr19|p. 10}}

==In Command==
Dates of appointment given:

<div name=fredbot:office0 otitle="Vice-Admiral in Command, Fifth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
{{Tenure|rank={{ViceRN}}|name=Cecil Burney, First Baronet|nick=Sir Cecil Burney|appt=5 December, 1913{{SMNLSep14|f. 6}}<ref>Burney Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.|D7578793}} f. 180.</ref>|end=19 December, 1914<ref>Burney Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.|D7578793}} f. 180.</ref>|note=and as Vice-Admiral Commanding, Channel Fleet}}
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Lewis Bayly|nick=Sir Lewis Bayly|appt=20 December, 1914<ref>Bayly Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 39.</ref>|note=and as Vice-Admiral Commanding, Channel Fleet}}
{{Tenure|rank=|name=Alexander Edward Bethell|nick=The Hon. Sir Alexander E. Bethell|appt=17 January, 1915{{UKCeased|f. <s>6</s>}}|note=and as Vice-Admiral Commanding, Channel Fleet}}
{{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Cecil Fiennes Thursby|nick=Cecil F. Thursby|appt=14 August, 1914<ref>Thursby Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20.}} f. 1310.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Hugh Evan-Thomas|nick=Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas|appt=25 August, 1915{{UKCeased|f. 6}}<ref>Evan-Thomas Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 105.</ref>|end=1 October, 1918<ref>Evan-Thomas Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 105.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Arthur Cavenagh Leveson|nick=Sir Arthur C. Leveson|appt=1 October, 1918{{UKCeased|f. 6}}<ref>Leveson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 472.</ref>|end=7 April, 1919<ref>Leveson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 472.</ref>|succBy=Command Abolished}}
</div name=fredbot:office0>

==Second in Command==

<div name=fredbot:office1 otitle="Rear-Admiral, Second-in-Command, Fifth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Bernard Currey|nick=Bernard Currey|appt=18 November, 1913{{UKCeased|f. 36}}|end=14 February, 1915{{UKCeased|f. 36}}}}
{{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Cecil Fiennes Thursby|nick=Cecil F. Thursby|appt=29 July, 1914<ref>Thursby Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20.}} f. 1310.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Rear-Admiral|name=Lewis Clinton-Baker|nick=Lewis Clinton-Baker|appt=1 April, 1919<ref>Clinton-Baker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 394.</ref>|end=7 April, 1919<ref>Clinton-Baker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 394.</ref>}}
</div name=fredbot:office1>

==Other Personnel==
===Squadron Gunnery Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFGO otitle="Squadron Gunnery Officer, Fifth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFGO>

===Squadron Torpedo Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFTO otitle="Squadron Torpedo Officer, Fifth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFTO>

===Squadron W/T Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFWO otitle="Squadron W/T Officer, Fifth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFWO>

===Squadron Signal Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFSO otitle="Squadron Signal Officer, Fifth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFSO>

===Squadron Navigating Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFNO otitle="Squadron Navigating Officer, Fifth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFNO>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{DittColl}}
{{refend}}

{{RNBattleSquadrons|sort=5}}