Arthur Henry Christian
Admiral Arthur Henry Christian, C.B., M.V.O., Royal Navy (31 August, 1863 – 20 August, 1926) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Christian was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1885.[1]
Christian was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 January, 1896,[2] for services on the West and East Coasts of Africa.[3]
Captain
Christian was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1901.[4]
On 5 June, 1902, Christian was appointed Flag Captain to Rear-Admiral Charles C. Drury in Highflyer.[5]
Christian was appointed as captain of the second class protected cruiser Juno on 6 January, 1905.[6]
He commissioned the new armoured cruiser Duke of Edinburgh on 20 January 1906[7] and commanded her for two years.
He was appointed in command of the battleship Temeraire on 25 October, 1910.[8]
Flag Rank
Christian was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 21 August, 1911, vice de Horsey.[9] From 12 February he was on a Signals course,[10] and from 4 March to 21 June, 1912, he attended the Royal Naval War College, and was placed second out of five flag officers in order of merit. He was adjudged to be: "Very zealous, careful, & sound."[11] From 23 September to 11 October he took a Gunnery course at Portsmouth and from 21 October to 8 November took a Torpedo course there.[12]
On 5 January, 1913, Christian was appointed Rear-Admiral in the Home Fleets at Devonport, and was superseded in that position on 9 May, 1914.[13] From 13 July to 26 July he commanded the Seventh Cruiser Squadron in the test mobilisation.[14]
Great War
At some point Christian had been considered for command of what became the Dover Patrol. A note in the papers on the loss on Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue reads: "Please tell 1 S.L. not to appoint R.A. Christian to the separate command of the Dover Patrol till I have had the opportunity of further discussion with him."[15]
On 14 March, 1916, Christian was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) dated 1 January.[16]
Christian was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 13 April, 1917, vice Anson.[17]
Christian was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 1 July, 1919, vice Bayly.[18]
He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 3 October, 1919.[19]
Footnotes
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25545. p. 7. 1 January, 1886.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26694. p. 7532. 31 December, 1895.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26696. p. 4. 3 January, 1896.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27393. p. 3. 3 January, 1902.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 3 May, 1902. Issue 36758, col B, p. 14.
- ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 142.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
- ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 142.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28525. p. 6306. 25 August, 1911.
- ↑ ADM 196/42. f. 142.
- ↑ ADM 203/99. f. 49.
- ↑ ADM 196/42. f. 142.
- ↑ ADM 196/42. f. 142.
- ↑ ADM 196/20. f. 435.
- ↑ The National Archives. ADM 137/47. f. 65.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29507. p. 2869. 14 March, 1916.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 30022. p. 3599. 17 April, 1917.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31433. p. 8390. 4 July, 1919.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31610. p. 12892. 21 October, 1919.
Bibliography
- "Admiral Christian" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 23 August, 1926. Issue 44357, col D, p. 15.
See Also
- Letter to The Times defending actions surrounding the loss of Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/87.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/42.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/20.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair |
Captain of the Royal Naval College, Osborne 1908 – 1910 |
Succeeded by The Hon. Horace L. A. Hood
|
| Preceded by Henry L. Tottenham |
Rear-Admiral in the Home Fleets at Devonport 1913 – 1914 |
Succeeded by Became Seventh Cruiser Squadron
|
