Difference between revisions of "John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet"
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==Great War== | ==Great War== | ||
− | + | He hoisted his flag in the [[H.M.S. Amphitrite (1898)|''Amphitrite'']]. | |
− | + | On 1 January, 1916, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.).<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29423/supplements/80 (Supplement) no. 29423. p. 80.] 31 December, 1915.</ref> | |
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==Post-War & Retirement== | ==Post-War & Retirement== |
Revision as of 10:46, 31 January 2011
Admiral SIR John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., Royal Navy (10 June, 1862 – 20 January, 1928) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War. He is perhaps most notable for his command of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron during the abortive attempts to force the Dardanelles in 1915. He later commanded a Battle Squadron in the Grand Fleet, and after the war ended held the commands of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Fleets.
Early Life & Career
He struck his flag in the Aboukir at Chatham on 26 July, 1914.[1]
Great War
He hoisted his flag in the Amphitrite.
On 1 January, 1916, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.).[2]
Post-War & Retirement
De Robeck was one of the senior officers who subsequently received the special thanks of parliament for his war services, being given a grant of £10,000 and created a baronet in 1919, besides being gazetted G.C.M.G. (1919) and G.C.B. (1921). In 1919 De Robeck was chosen as commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean fleet, hoisting his flag in the Iron Duke, which had been the flagship of Admiral Jellicoe at the battle of Jutland. It was an appropriate appointment, for no one of his rank was better qualified to act as high commissioner at Constantinople, the additional duty which was assigned to him pending the conclusion of a separate treaty of peace with Turkey. On 24 March, 1920, he had been promoted to the rank of Admiral, vice Grant.[3] His period of duty in the Mediterranean was otherwise uneventful. On relinquishing this command in April 1922 he was appointed in August commander-in-chief of the Atlantic fleet, his flagship being the Queen Elizabeth, which had been Admiral Beatty's flagship when he took over the command of the grand fleet.
De Robeck's resignation of this command in 1924 marked the end of his sea career, although he remained on the active list and was promoted to admiral of the fleet in November 1925. On coming ashore De Robeck was able once more to take part in sport of all kinds. He was a keen follower of hounds, as well as a good shot, and owing to his sustained interest in cricket he was elected president of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1925, being the first naval officer to hold that position.
De Robeck married in 1922 Hilda Maud, daughter of Colonel Augustus Henry Macdonald-Moreton, Coldstream Guards, of Hillgrove, Bembridge, Isle of Wight, and widow of Colonel Sir Simon Macdonald Lockhart, fifth baronet. There were no children of the marriage, and the baronetcy became extinct on the death of De Robeck, which took place suddenly at his house in London on 20 January, 1928.
There is a portrait-drawing of de Robeck by Francis Dodd in the Imperial War Museum, South Kensington.
Footnotes
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 27 July, 1914. Issue 40586, col B, pg. 4.
- ↑ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29423. p. 80. 31 December, 1915.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 3186. p. 4474. 16 April, 1920.
Bibliography
- "Sir John de Robeck" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 21 January, 1928. Issue 44796, col B, pg. 12.
Papers
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/42.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/20.
Naval Offices | ||
Preceded by New Position |
Admiral of Patrols 1912 – 1914 |
Succeeded by George A. Ballard |
Preceded by New Command |
Rear-Admiral Commanding, Cruiser Force I 1914 – 1915 |
Succeeded by Sir A. Gordon H. W. Moore |
Preceded by Sackville H. Carden |
Vice-Admiral Commanding, Eastern Mediterranean Squadron 1915 – 1916 |
Succeeded by Sir Cecil F. Thursby |
Preceded by Sir Edward E. Bradford |
Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third Battle Squadron 1916 |
Succeeded by Herbert L. Heath |
Preceded by Sir T. H. Martyn Jerram |
Vice-Admiral Commanding, Second Battle Squadron 1916 – 1919 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry F. Oliver |
Preceded by The Hon. Sir Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe |
Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean 1919 – 1922 |
Succeeded by Sir Osmond de B. Brock |
Preceded by Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart. |
Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet 1922 – 1924 |
Succeeded by Sir Henry F. Oliver |
- 1862 births
- 1928 deaths
- Personalities
- H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship) Entrants of July, 1875
- Inspecting Captains of Boys' Training Ships
- Admirals of Patrols
- Rear-Admirals Commanding, Ninth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
- Vice-Admirals Commanding, Eastern Mediterranean Squadron (Royal Navy)
- Vice-Admirals Commanding, Third Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)
- Vice-Admirals Commanding, Second Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)
- Commanders-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet (Royal Navy)
- Commanders-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet (Royal Navy)
- Royal Navy Admirals of the Fleet
- Royal Navy Flag Officers