Algernon Usborne Willis

Admiral of the Fleet Algernon Usborne Willis G.C.B., K.C.B., D.S.O., R.N. (17 May, 1889 – 12 April, 1976) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Willis was born in Hampstead and ranked 22nd in merit of sixty cadets accepted in the May 1904 intake term at H.M.S. Britannia.

He passed first class in torpedoes in September, 1909 with 191/200 marks.

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 November, 1909.

On 15 July, 1913, he was appointed to Leander for T.B.Ds., having just qualified as Lieutenant (T) on 11 July.

Great War

On 12 April, 1915, Willis was appointed to the armoured cruiser Donegal as torpedo officer. He remained in her until 29 October when he moved to Defiance. On 10 March, 1916 he went to Vernon for one month.

On 5 April, 1916, Willis was appointed to the scout cruiser Fearless, additional, for torpedo work with the First Destroyer Flotilla. It was in this role that he fought at the Battle of Jutland, sadly destined to play little part, as Fearless was unable to keep up with her destroyers. Willis quit the cruiser on 22 June, to return to Vernon until September, 1918.

During this extended interlude, Willis was married to Olive Christine Millar on 7 September, 1916 at Christ Church, Hampstead, N.W. and then was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 November, 1917.

On 19 September, 1918, he was appointed to the flotilla leader Saumarez for torpedo duties with the Twelfth Destroyer Flotilla.

Post-war

Willis was appointed to Stuart for Seymour for torpedo duties with Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla on 17 January, 1919. On 5 March, this posting was changed to Wallace for torpedo duties with the First Destroyer Flotilla. He remained there until 8 January, 1920 when he was moved to Renown, as ever, to be torpedo officer.

Willis was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1922. On 4 December, 1923 he began a two year stint as squadron torpedo officer in Coventry.

Willis was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1929.

Willis was appointed in command of the battleship Barham in April, 1938.

World War II

Willis was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 5 January, 1940.

Willis was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 3 April, 1943. The next day, he assumed command of Force H, vice Burroughs. At 0800 on 28 December, he struck his flag as C-in-C, Levant.

Post-wars

Willis was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 16 October, 1945.

Willis was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on 30 March, 1949.

He was admitted to Haslar Royal Naval Hospital on 4 January, 1951, suffering from Sciatica. He stayed there over a year, being discharged to his own home on 28 January, 1952.

Willis died at Haslar Royal Naval Hospital on 12 April, 1976.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by William E. B. Magee	Captain of H.M.S. Warwick 20 Oct, 1927 – 1 Aug, 1929	Succeeded by Arthur D. B. James
Preceded by Thomas B. Drew	Captain of H.M.S. Kent 21 Jan, 1933 – 20 May, 1934	Succeeded by Ion B. B. Tower
Preceded by Patrick Macnamara	Captain of H.M.S. Nelson 20 May, 1934 – 6 Sep, 1935	Succeeded by Alan R. Dewar
Preceded by Roderick B. T. Miles	Captain of H.M.S. Vernon 6 Sep, 1935 – 22 Apr, 1938	Succeeded by Denis W. Boyd
Preceded by Henry E. Horan	Captain of H.M.S. Barham 22 Apr, 1938 – 2 Feb, 1939	Succeeded by Alex C. Chapman
Preceded by Robert H. T. Raikes	Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic 1941 – 17 Feb, 1942	Succeeded by William E. C. Tait
Preceded by Sir William J. Whitworth	Second Sea Lord 1944 – Feb, 1946	Succeeded by Sir Arthur J. Power
Preceded by Sir Bruce A. Fraser	Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Station Jul, 1948 – Sep, 1950	Succeeded by Sir Arthur J. Power