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.[1]
Noble was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1898.[2]
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.[3]
Noble was promoted to the rank of Commander on 22 June, 1911.[4]
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."[5]
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 on 18 November, 1916 he was superseded in command of T.B. 116 and appointed in command of the destroyer Arun.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 Lark on 25 July, 1917.[6]
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.[7]
See Also
Naval Appointments | ||
Preceded by James R. P. Hawksley |
Captain of H.M.S. Salmon 25 Mar, 1903[8] – late 1903 |
Succeeded by Richard F. White |
Preceded by Godfrey G. Webster |
Captain of H.M.S. Moorhen 25 Jan, 1904[9] |
Succeeded by Robert E. Vaughan |
Preceded by George J. Todd |
Captain of H.M.S. Cygnet 6 Nov, 1906[10] |
Succeeded by Benjamin W. Barrow |
Preceded by Wyndham L. Bamber |
Captain of H.M.S. Britomart 11 Mar, 1908[11] |
Succeeded by William H. Darwall |
Preceded by William L. Elder |
Captain of H.M. T.B. 116 9 Aug, 1911[12] – 1 Dec, 1913[13][14] |
Succeeded by Walter B. Compton |
Preceded by Francis E. Wright |
Captain of H.M.S. Arun 18 Nov, 1916[15] |
Succeeded by Charles E. Rathkins |
Preceded by Charles M. Blackman |
Captain of H.M.S. Lark 25 Jul, 1917[16] |
Succeeded by ? |
Footnotes
- ↑ Noble Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 282.
- ↑ Noble Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 282.
- ↑ Noble Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 282.
- ↑ Noble Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 282.
- ↑ Noble Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 282.
- ↑ Noble Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 282.
- ↑ Noble Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 282.
- ↑ The Navy List. (May, 1903). p. 301a.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1904). p. 346.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1907). p. 298.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 288.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1913). p. 401a.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1913). p. 401a.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1914). p. 401a.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 392f.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 394z.