Naval history and photographs of some of the Navy's great Commanders during the early 1900's and throughout the history of the Royal Navy.

First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill.  (photo published 1914).

One of the most brilliant of the younger generation of British statesmen, Mr. Winston Churchill obtained cabinet rank in his thirty-fourth year.  In 1910 he was appointed Home Secretary, and in October 1911 he became First Lord of the Admiralty.  Thanks to his untiring advocacy, Parliament had constantly voted increasing supplies for the Navy, which in 1914 was admitted on all hands to be in the highest possible state of efficiency.

He commanded the National Antarctic Expedition of 1900-4 and the British Antarctic Expedition which sailed in 1910to carry out research and survey work. He reached the South Pole on 18th January 1912, a few weeks after Admundsen, but his party of five were overwhelmed by a blizzard on the return journey and perished.  

Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty (1871-1936.)

Joined the Royal navy in 1884 at the age of 13. joined HMS Alexandria in 1886 to 1888, going to HMS Cruiser in 1888. serving next on HMS Duke of Wellington and HMS Ruby in 1889 to 1990. HMS Excellent `1890-1892 and agin to HMS Ruuby. HMS Camperdown 1893 for two years and in 1895 moving to HMS Trafalgar to 1896. HMS Victory 1896. First Command HMS ranger 1897 taking part in the Nile Campaign and Sudan 1897 top 1900. Took pare in the Tienstan Campaign in China on Board HMS Barfleur, and back to HMS Duke of Wellington 1900/1902.HMS Juno 1902, HMS Arrogant 1903-1904.HMS Suffolk 1904/1905. becoming naval Advisor to the Army Council in 1906 for 2 years. Joined HMS Queen 1908 to 1910. in 1912 became secretary to the First Sea Lord until 1913. then becoming Commander of the battle cruiser HMS Lion, joining the 1st battle squadron 1913-1916/ transferring to HMS Princess royal in 1915 and participating in the battle of Dogger bank.  back to HMS Lion in time for the battle of Jutland 1916. In 1916 becoming the Commander in chief of the Grand Fleet until after world war one in 1919. during this time  on Board HMS iron Duke 1916-1917, and HMS Queen Elizabeth 19171-1919. going to HMS president at the end of 1919. Finally becoming First Sea Lord 19191 until 1927,  

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX261

Vice Admiral Sir Stanley Colville  

His Majesty the King with the Prince of Wales and Prince Edward of Wales 

The King

Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge KCB 1901.

Vice-Admiral name unknown pictured c.1920s. 

The Nore's Commander-in Chief Sir W R Kennedy and his staff c.1901.

Admiral Lord Charles Scott KCB and his staff c.1900

Admiral Lord Scott was Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth during the early 1900s. On his left is his Flag-Captain Sir Richard Poore who himself had a distinguished war record, and next to him is Staff Paymaster W Le G Pullen, the admiral's secretary. The officer standing on the Admiral's right is Flag-Lieutenant the Hon. Lionel J O Lambart.

Admiral Sir M. Culme-Seymour.

Vice Admiral Richard Wells, Commander in Chief at the Nore. 1896

The popular and capable officer in whose charge as Commander in Chief at the Nore are our two dockyards and naval arsenals of Chatham and Sheerness, will, in less than twelve months time, complete the fiftieth year of his service on the active list.  Vice-Admiral Wells, as a sub-Lieutenant, saw considerable service in the Arrogant paddle wheel frigate in the Russian War; he was the Commander of the Bombay line of battleship when she was burnt at Rio in 1864, and before his present appointment commanded in Chief on the Cape and West Coast of Africa station.  When he hauled down his flag in Simon's Bay the ship's company of his flagship presented him with a silken Vice-Admiral's flag as a token of esteem and affection.

Flag Lieutenant Arthur Halsey. 1896

Midshipman Gerard A Wells.  1896

Admiral of the Fleet H.R.H. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, K.G., A.D.C.  (1895)

First known as Prince Alfred and then as Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of the Queen, from the age of fourteen until recently has been intimately connected with the Royal Navy.  Entering the Service in 1858, ten years later he made his well remembered voyage round the world as Captain of the Galatea hoisting his flag as Rear-Admiral just ten years after that.  The Duke has held command of the Channel Squadron, been Admiral-Superintendent of Naval Reserves, Commanded in the Mediterranean, and was also Commander-in-Chief at Devonport, between the years 1890 and 1893.  As a Flag Officer the Duke of Edinburgh's great ability in handling a Fleet was universally recognised.

Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart., G.C.B. (1895)

Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour is the son of one distinguished Admiral and the grandson of another; a gallant officer, who as Captain, gained the family baronetcy for winning two brilliant frigate-actions in the Napoleonic war.  Sir Michael has seen much service - in Burmah, in the Russian War (both in the Baltic and the Black Sea), and in China.  He has been Private Secretary to the first Lord, A.D.C. to the Queen, Commander-in-Chief in the Pacific and in the Channel and now commands in the Mediterranean, where he has brought his Fleet into a state of the highest efficiency.

Admiral of the Fleet The Hon. Sir Henry Keppel, G.C.B. (1896)

Sir Harry Keppel is the Grand Old Man of the British Fleet.  Born in the same year with Gladstone and Tennyson, 1809, and entering the Navy at the age of twelve, he first saw active service in the East Indies in the early thirties of the present century, and in the Carlist War.  Since that time Sir Harry has taken part in every war in which the Fleet has been engaged dwon to his promotion to Admiral of the Fleet in 1875, including the first and second Chinese Wars, and the Russian War, where he served as Captain in both the Baltic and the Black Sea.  Sir Harry's geniality is proverbial, he is a universal favourite with all ranks and classes, and everyone is anxiously awaiting the issue of his autobiography, for Sir Harry's stories have a reputation the world over.

Captain Rt. Hon. Lord Charles W. D. Beresford, R.N., C.B. (1896)

This distinguished and brilliant Naval Officer is as well known outside the Sea service as he is in that profession, and is a favourite everywhere.  The enterprise which elicited the signal, "Well done, Condor," at the bombardment of Alexandria, exhibited his gallantry and daring, no less than the judgement and skill displayed when in charge of the city afterwards demonstrated his capacity as an administrator.  In the House of Commons his breezy speeches never fail to fill the benches.  Our illustration from a photograph taken in January 1895 at Chatham shows him in the frock coat and cap which form the everyday uniform of a Naval Captain.  The gallant sailor will be 50 on the 10th February next, and it is the hope of all his friends to soon see him hoist his flag as an Admiral.

Vice-Admiral the Rt.-Hon. Lord Walter Talbot Kerr.  (1895)

Lord Walter Kerr, now (1895) commanding the Channel Squadron, entered the Royal Navy in 1853.  He served as Naval Cadet in the Baltic during the Russian War, and as Midshipman with the "Shannon" Naval Brigade in India during the Mutiny.  He has been secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty, A.D.C. to the Queen, Second in command of the Mediterranean Fleet, and Second Sea Lord at the Admiralty.  Lord Walter wears the Humane Society's Silver Medal for saving a bluejacket's life, and is as courteous and clever as he is brave.

Captain HRH The Duke of York, R.N., K.G., K.T., A.D.C.

The Duke of York began his naval career by entering the "Britannia" in 1877 together with the late Duke of Clarence.  Two years later the princes joined the "Bacchante" serving in her, first as naval cadets and then as midshipmen, throughout her historic cruise.  From 1886 to 1888 Prince George (as the Duke was then) served as Lieutenant in the Mediterranean.  In 1889 he commanded Torpedo Boat No.79 in the manoeuvres, and in the next year commissioned the gunboat "Thrush" for the North America and West Indies station.  In August, 1891, he was promoted Commander, and commanded the "Melampus" in the manoeuvres of 1892.  Since then he has not served afloat.  Prince George was created Duke of York and promoted Captain in January 1893, just six months before his marriage with Princess May.

Lieutenants from one of the World's navies but not of the Royal Navy. 

A reproduction of this original photo / photo-postcard size 10" x 7" approx available.  Order photograph here  © Walker Archive. Order Code PHX266

Information requested

ADMIRAL SIR ARTHUR LIMPUS (1863-1931) : I am trying to compile my family history and I only have a few portraits of him in his uniform. His service history includes : East Sudan 1884-85 with HMS Terrible; Natal Naval Brigade South Africa 1899-1900; Relief of Ladysmith 1900; North China 1900; Rear Admiral of the Home Fleet 1910-11; Naval Advisor to the Turkish Government from 1912-14; Admiral Superintendent of Malta Dockyard 1914-16; Senior British Naval Officer in the Mediterranean at Malta 1915-16; President Shell Committee at Admiralty in 1917 and retired in 1919. If you can give me any more information contact Zoe at Zoeg657@aol.com