Frederick Burnaby Noble

Captain (retired) Frederick Burnaby Noble (16 August, 1876 – 8 July, 1946) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in India, the son of a Colonel. Noble gained a commendable six months time on passing out of Britannia in July of 1892. He received his first appointment in the second class battleship Victoria, flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron, in September, 1892. Noble was fortunate to be appointed from her at the end of the year, to Imperieuse of the China Station, thus avoiding involvement in Victoria's loss the following June.

Noble was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1898.

In January, 1903, Noble was lightly chastised for colliding with a pier in Felixstowe with Hardy.

On 26 January, 1904, he was placed in command of the gunboat Moorhen on the China Station. In September, 1904, Noble's service record was inscribed, "Appreciation expressed of able manner in which he performed voyage up West River, China, to Nan King, without any damage to Moorhen & T.L. satisfaction at his useful and informative report." However, this report apparently jinxed him, for the next notation, dated 1905, reads, "Grounding of Moorhen in West River, China. CinC directs him to be more careful in future." On balance, he was performing creditably, as in May 1906, Admiral Moore praised his handling of Moorhen.

Noble returned to England in the P. & O. vessel Macedonia, arriving 23 April, 1910.

Noble was promoted to the rank of Commander on 22 June, 1911.

Noble was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 116 on 9 August, 1911, being also placed in command of the Portsmouth Flotilla. His inspections during this period seemed especially glowing, in August 1913: "V. Satis inspn of TB116. Great credit due for state of flotilla."

Great War

Noble commanded T.B. 116 through the first two years of the war.

On 22 June, 1915, Noble was diagnosed with chronic constipation, but judged fit. on 18 November, 1916 he was superseded in command of T.B. 116 and appointed in command of the destroyer Arun. On 13 April, 1917, he was sick on shore with hemorrhoids and not expected to be fit for one month, which eventually proved to be two months. On 19 June, 1917 he was found fit and recommended by Admiral Colville. He was appointed in command of the Laforey Class destroyer Lark on 25 July, 1917.

Noble had a "soft landing" in the war, being appointed to Dartmouth College on 9 January, 1918 and remaining there until January, 1919.

Post-War

An appointment in command of Amphitrite dated 1 May, 1919 was cancelled. On 15 May, Noble was placed on half pay.

Placed on the Retired List at his own request on 25 August, 1919, Noble was permitted to apply for a step in rank upon reaching age 45. This happened accordingly when Noble was promoted to the rank of Captain on 16 August, 1921.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Robert G. D. Dewar	Captain of H.M.S. Hardy 14 Jan, 1903 – c. 25 Mar, 1903	Succeeded by William H. D. Boyle
Preceded by Harry C. J. R. West	Captain of H.M.S. Salmon 25 Mar, 1903 – 21 Dec, 1903	Succeeded by Richard F. White
Preceded by Godfrey G. Webster	Captain of H.M.S. Moorhen 26 Jan, 1904 – mid 1906[Inference]	Succeeded by Robert E. Vaughan
Preceded by Vernon F. Tuson	Captain of H.M.S. Cygnet 6 Nov, 1906 – 14 Jan, 1908	Succeeded by Benjamin W. Barrow
Preceded by Wyndham L. Bamber	Captain of H.M.S. Britomart 14 Jan, 1908 – 11 Mar, 1910	Succeeded by John M. Barker
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Bulldog 6 Jul, 1910 – 14 Jun, 1911	Succeeded by Kennedy G. Darracott-Brooke
Preceded by William L. Elder	Captain of H.M. T.B. 116 6 Aug, 1911 – 1 Dec, 1913	Succeeded by Walter B. Compton
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Aphis 9 Nov, 1915 – 25 Jul, 1916	Succeeded by James Bayley
Preceded by Robert A. Hornell	Captain of H.M. T.B. 14 16 Oct, 1916 – 18 Nov, 1916	Succeeded by Charles E. S. Farrant
Preceded by Francis E. Wright	Captain of H.M.S. Arun 18 Nov, 1916 – 25 Jul, 1917	Succeeded by Charles E. Rathkins
Preceded by Charles M. Blackman	Captain of H.M.S. Lark 25 Jul, 1917 – 7 Jan, 1918	Succeeded by ?