View source for Fourth Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)

The '''Fourth Battle Squadron''' was a formation of battleships in the [[Royal Navy]].

==History==

The Fourth Battle Squadron was originally born out of the battleship force of the [[British Mediterranean Fleet|Mediterranean Fleet]], which until Mid-1912 had traditionally been seen as the front-line active force in the [[Royal Navy]].  With the reforms announced by [[First Lord of the Admiralty]] [[Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill|Winston Churchill]] in March, 1912, the Mediterranean battleship Squadron eventually became the Fourth Battle Squadron of the [[First Fleet (Royal Navy)|First Fleet]].

In minutes submitted and approved by the [[Board of Admiralty]] on 8 July, 1914, it had been decided that by April, 1917, the Fourth Battle Squadron would consist solely of eight [[Revenge Class Battleship (1914)|''Revenge'' class]] dreadnought battleships.<ref>"Cruiser Squadron and Battle Squadron Programme."  {{TNA|ADM 1/8383/179}}.  p. 14.</ref>

===May, 1912===
*{{UK-1Exmouth}} (Flagship, Vice-Admiral [[Charles John Briggs|C. J. Briggs]]), replaced 17 December, 1912 by {{UK-Albemarle}}
*{{UK-1Duncan}} (Flagship, Rear-Admiral [[Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram|T. H. M. Jerram]]), Captain [[Frederick Laurence Field]]
*{{UK-Cornwallis}}, Captain [[Frank Edward Cavendish Ryan|F. E. C. Ryan]]
*{{UK-Russell}}, Captain [[George Walter Smith|G. W. Smith]]
*{{UK-Commonwealth}}, Captain [[Price Vaughan Lewes|P. V. Lewes]]

In February, 1912 the battleships {{UK-Africa}} and {{UK-1Hindustan}} of the {{UK-BS|3}} joined the Fourth temporarily.

===December, 1912===
<ref>Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.  [BRG 1/1]</ref>
<br>At a strength of just four pre-dreadnoughts, at this point the squadron was half the size of the majority of her peers.

*{{UK-Albemarle}}
*{{UK-Cornwallis}}
*{{UK-1Duncan}}
*{{UK-Russell}}

===December, 1913===
<ref>Handwritten notes in Albert Francis Barclay Bridges papers at The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum.  [BRG 1/1]</ref>
<br>Only {{UK-Cornwallis}} remains from last year's edition.  {{UK-1Duncan}} and {{UK-Russell}} have been moved over to the {{UK-BS|6}}, while {{UK-Dreadnought}} and the two most modern pre-dreadnoughts have been transferred in from other squadrons.

*{{UK-Dreadnought}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] (joined from {{UK-BS|1}})
*{{UK-Agamemnon}} (joined from {{UK-BS|2}})
*{{UK-LordNelson}} (ditto)
*{{UK-Cornwallis}}

===July, 1914===
{{AWO1914|109 of 10 July, 1914}}

*{{UK-Dreadnought}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Agamemnon}}

Attached:  {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}

===5 August, 1914===

At the outbreak of the [[First World War]] the Squadron was composed solely of 12-inch gunned dreadnoughts as follows.{{UKNavalOpsI|p. 439}}  The requisitioned battleship {{UK-Agincourt}} was about to be commissioned and had already been earmarked for service in the Squadron.  {{UK-Agamemnon}} has been moved elsewhere.

*{{UK-Dreadnought}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] Vice-Admiral Sir [[Douglas Austin Gamble|Douglas A. Gamble]], Captain [[William John Standly Alderson|W. J. S. Alderson]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}, Captain [[Edward Francis Bruen|E. F. Bruen]]
*{{UK-Temeraire}}, Captain [[Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair|E. S. Alexander-Sinclair]], M.V.O.
*{{UK-Agincourt}}, Captain [[Douglas Romilly Lothian Nicholson|D. R. L. Nicholson]], A.D.C.

At outbreak of war, the {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}, Captain [[Albert Charles Scott|A. C. Scott]] was attached.{{UKNavalOpsI|p. 439}}

===September, 1914===
The squadron acquired {{UK-Erin}} to bring its strength to a very eclectic five dreadnoughts.{{SMNLSep14|p. 8}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Agincourt}}
*{{UK-Erin}}

Attached: {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}

This line-up would last until November or December.{{SMNLOct14|p. 8}}{{SMNLDec14|p. 8}}

===December, 1914===
The squadron acquired {{UK-Benbow}} and {{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} to bring its strength to a diverse dreadnoughts, now meriting a second flagship.  {{UK-Dreadnought}} has ceded her flagship role, and another cruiser has attached.{{SMNLDec14|p. 8}}
*{{UK-Benbow}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Agincourt}}
*{{UK-Erin}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}}

Attached: {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}, {{UK-Sapphire|f=t}}

This line-up would last just one month.

===January, 1915===
The Squadron has lost a cruiser.{{SMNLJan15|p. 8}}
*{{UK-Benbow}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Agincourt}}
*{{UK-Erin}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}}

Attached: {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}

This line-up would last until June.{{SMNLMar15|p. 10}}{{SMNLApr15|p. 10}}{{SMNLMay15|p. 10}}

===June, 1915===
A powerful new dreadnought, {{UK-QueenElizabeth}} has brought the strength up to eight.{{SMNLJan15|p. 8}}
*{{UK-Benbow}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Agincourt}}
*{{UK-Erin}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}}

Attached: {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}

This line-up would last until September.{{SMNLJul15|p. 10}}{{SMNLAug15|p. 10}}

===September, 1915===
{{UK-Canada}} has brought the strength up to nine.{{SMNLJan15|p. 8}}
*{{UK-Benbow}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-QueenElizabeth}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Agincourt}}
*{{UK-Erin}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}}
*{{UK-Canada}}

Attached: {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}

This line-up would last just one month.

===October, 1915===
{{UK-QueenElizabeth}} was transferred to the newly-created {{UK-BS|5}}.{{SMNLOct15|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Benbow}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Agincourt}}
*{{UK-Erin}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}}
*{{UK-Canada}}

Attached: {{UK-Blonde|f=t}}

This line-up would last just one month.

===November, 1915===
{{UK-Superb}} was transferred in from the {{UK-BS|1}} in exchange for {{UK-Agincourt}}, and {{UK-Erin}} left to join the {{UK-BS|2}}.{{SMNLNov15|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Benbow}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}}
*{{UK-Canada}}

Attached:  {{UK-Blonde}}

This line-up would last until January, 1916.{{SMNLDec15|p. 10}}

===January, 1916===
The {{UK-1Blanche|f=t}} has attached as a second cruiser, coming from the {{UK-BS|3}}.{{SMNLJan16|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Benbow}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]] 
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}}
*{{UK-Canada}}

Attached:  {{UK-Blonde}}, {{UK-1Blanche}}

This line-up would last until Mid-May.{{SMNLFeb16|p. 10}}{{SMNLMar16|p. 10}}{{SMNLApr16|p. 10}}{{SMNLMay16|p. 10}}

===Battle of Jutland===
{{UK-Dreadnought}} had been relegated to use as a spare by May 16th or earlier, and {{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} had both gone into refit in May, and consequently missed the [[Battle of Jutland]].  Luckily, {{UK-RoyalOak}} had become available for service.  {{UK-Blonde}} also seems to have missed the battle.

*Third Division, Grand Fleet.
**{{UK-IronDuke}}  [[File:Adm.png|border|25px]]
**{{UK-RoyalOak}}
**{{UK-Superb}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
**{{UK-Canada}}
*Fourth Division, Grand Fleet.
**{{UK-Benbow}}  [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
**{{UK-Bellerophon}}
**{{UK-Temeraire}}
**{{UK-Vanguard}}

Attached:  {{UK-1Blanche}}

===June, 1916===
{{UK-Blonde}} was detached some time before the Battle of Jutland, for work in "Home Waters or on detached service".  {{UK-Benbow}}, {{UK-EmperorOfIndia}} and {{UK-Canada}} have transferred to the {{UK-BS|1}} while {{UK-Hercules}}, {{UK-1Neptune}}, {{UK-Collingwood}}, {{UK-Colossus}}, {{UK-StVincent}} and {{UK-Vanguard}} have joined from that same formation.{{SMNLJun16|pp. 10, 14}} {{SMNLMay16|p. 10}} 
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Vanguard}}

Attached:  {{UK-1Blanche}}

This line-up would persist until October, 1916.{{SMNLJul16|p. 10}}{{SMNLAug16|p. 10}}{{SMNLSep16|p. 10}}

===October, 1916===
{{UK-Blonde|f=t}} rejoined the Squadron from {{UK-BS|5}}.{{SMNLSep16|p. 10}} {{SMNLOct16|p. 10}} 
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Vanguard}}

Attached:  {{UK-1Blanche}}, {{UK-Blonde}}

This line-up would persist until December.{{SMNLNov16|p. 10}}

===December, 1916===
Now, it is {{UK-1Blanche|f=t}} who detaches for work in "Home Waters or on detached service".{{SMNLJun16|p. 10}} 
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Vanguard}}

Attached:  {{UK-Blonde}}

This line-up would persist until April, 1917.{{SMNLJan17|p. 10}}{{SMNLMar17|p. 10}}

===April, 1917===
{{UK-Blonde}} transfers to the {{UK-BS|1}}, leaving the Squadron without a light cruiser.  An armed boarding steamer has replaced her.{{SMNLApr17|p. 10}} 
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Vanguard}}

Attached:  armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}}

This line-up would persist until Jun.{{SMNLMay17|p. 10}}{{SMNLJun17|p. 10}}

===June, 1917===
{{UK-Bellerophon}} replaces {{UK-Colossus}} as second flagship.{{SMNLJun17|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}}  
*{{UK-Bellerophon}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Vanguard}}

Attached: armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}}

This line-up would last one month.

===July, 1917===
{{UK-Bellona}} arrives from work in "Home Waters or on detached service".{{SMNLMay17|p. 14}}{{SMNLJun17|p. 14}}{{SMNLJul17|p. 10}} 
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}} 
*{{UK-Bellerophon}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}
*{{UK-Vanguard}}

Attached:  {{UK-Bellona|f=t}}, armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}}

This line-up would last just the month.

===August, 1917===
{{UK-Vanguard}} was lost to internal explosion in July, and {{UK-Bellona|f=t}} transferred out to the {{UK-BS|1}}.{{SMNLAug17|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}} 
*{{UK-Bellerophon}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}

Attached: armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}}

This line-up would last until October.{{SMNLSep17|p. 10}}

===October, 1917===
{{UK-Colossus}} resumed its role as second flagship.{{SMNLOct17|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}} 
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}}

Attached: armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}}

This line-up would last until January, 1918.{{SMNLNov17|p. 10}}{{SMNLDec17|p. 10}}

===January, 1918===
{{UK-1Boadicea}} attached, coming from work in "Home Waters or on detached service".{{SMNLDec17|p. 14}}{{SMNLJan18|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-Bellerophon}} 
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-Temeraire}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}} 

Attached: {{UK-1Boadicea|f=t}}, armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}}

This line-up would last until May.{{SMNLFeb18|p. 10}}{{SMNLMar18|p. 10}}

===May, 1918===
{{UK-Dreadnought}} attached, coming from the now-disbanded {{UK-BS|3}}.{{SMNLApr18|p. 13}}{{SMNLMay18|p. 10}}
*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}} 
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}} (paid off in August, 1918 through at least January 1919)
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}
*{{UK-Superb}} (paid off in May and June)
*{{UK-Temeraire}}

Attached: {{UK-1Boadicea|f=t}}, armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}} 

This line-up would last until September or October.{{SMNLFeb18|p. 10 and Supplements through October except September, which was not located}}

===October, 1918===
{{UK-Temeraire}} and {{UK-Superb}} were detached for service in the Aegean Squadron.{{SMNLOct18|pp. 10, 22}}

*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}} (paid off in August, 1918 through at least January 1919)
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}

Attached: {{UK-1Boadicea|f=t}}, armed boarding steamer {{UK-KingOrry}}

This line-up would last until January, 1919.{{SMNLFeb18|p. 10 and Supplements through January 1919}}

===January, 1919===
{{UK-KingOrry}} was detached.{{SMNLJan19|pp. 10, 22}}

*{{UK-Hercules}} [[File:VAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Colossus}}  [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-Bellerophon}}
*{{UK-Collingwood}}
*{{UK-Dreadnought}} (paid off in August, 1918 through at least January 1919)
*{{UK-1Neptune}}
*{{UK-StVincent}}

Attached: {{UK-1Boadicea|f=t}}

This line-up would last just the month.

===February, 1919===
The Squadron appears to be have been dispersed in February, with {{UK-Dreadnought}}, {{UK-Hercules}} and {{UK-1Neptune}} going to Rosyth, {{UK-Colossus}} to Devonport, and {{UK-StVincent}} to Portsmouth, {{UK-Collingwood}} to Devonport and {{UK-Bellerophon}} to the Nore to become gunnery schools.{{SMNLFeb19|pp. 16, 17,20}}  

===Dissolution===
Fairly strong evidence exists that the Squadron ceased to exist on 30 March, 1919,{{UKCeased|f. 5}} roughly one week before the dissolution of the [[Grand Fleet]], but its end was no to last forever.  

===18 July, 1919===
The 4th had unambiguously coalesced once more into existence when a sole, unnamed Battle Squadron in the Mediterranean was explicitly labelled as the Fourth Battle Squadron in the August, 1919 Navy List.{{NLAug19|p. 712}}

*{{UK-IronDuke}} [[File:RAdm.png|border|25px]]
*{{UK-1Ajax}} (refitting at Malta)
*{{UK-Benbow}} (refitting at Malta) 
*{{UK-Marlborough}}

{{TBC}}

===1 November, 1924===
The formation is renamed the {{UK-BS|3}}.  Maddening, yes?{{NMI|30 Sept. 1924, p. 21}}

==In Command==
Dates of appointment given:

<div name=fredbot:office0 otitle="Vice-Admiral Commanding, Fourth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
{{Tenure|rank={{ViceRN}}|name=Charles John Briggs|nick=Sir Charles J. Briggs|appt=1 July, 1912<ref>Briggs Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38}}.  f. 168.</ref>|end=1 July, 1914<ref>Briggs Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20}}.  p. 654.</ref>|precBy=New Command}}
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Douglas Austin Gamble|nick=Sir Douglas A. Gamble|appt=1 July, 1914<ref>Gamble Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38}}.  f. 507.</ref>|ass=1 July, 1914<ref>Gamble Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 507.</ref>|end=7 February, 1915<ref>Gamble Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 507.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Admiral|name=Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|nick=Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, Bart.|appt=7 February, 1915<ref>Sturdee Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/39}}.  f. 1256.</ref>|as=Admiral Commanding, Fourth Battle Squadron|end=13 February, 1918<ref>Sturdee Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/87.}}  f. 70.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Montague Edward Browning|nick=Sir Montague E. Browning|appt=12 February, 1918<ref>Browning Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 309.</ref>|end=c. 3 December, 1918<ref>Nicholson is noted as assuming temporary command.  Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 290.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Douglas Romilly Lothian Nicholson|nick=Douglas R. L. Nicholson|appt=3 December, 1918<ref>Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 290.</ref>|end=1 February, 1919<ref>Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 457.</ref>|note=assumed temporary command of Squadron due to Browning's absence}}
{{Tenure|rank=Vice-Admiral|name=Montague Edward Browning|nick=Sir Montague E. Browning|appt=1 February, 1919<ref>His temporary replacement vacated the post.  Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 290.</ref>|end=30 March, 1919|succBy=Command Abolished|note=resuming command}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Michael Culme-Seymour, Fourth Baronet|nick=Michael Culme-Seymour|appt=20 October, 1919<ref>Culme-Seymour Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 477.</ref>|end=1 September, 1920<ref>Culme-Seymour Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.|}}  f. 477.</ref>{{NMI|27 Aug. 1920, p. 4}}|note=and as Second-in-Command, Mediterranean}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Richard Webb|nick=Richard Webb|appt=1 September, 1920{{NMI|27 Aug. 1920, p. 4}}<ref>Webb Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 124.</ref>{{NLJan21|p. 697}}|end=27 July, 1922<ref>Webb Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|}}  f. 124.</ref>|note=and as Second-in-Command, Mediterranean}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=John Donald Kelly|nick=John D. Kelly|appt=27 July, 1922<ref>Kelly Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/89.|D8115634}}  f. 109.</ref>|end=August, 1923<ref>Kelly Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/89.|D8115634}}  f. 109.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Hugh Dudley Richards Watson|nick=Hugh D. R. Watson|appt=26 June, 1923<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 214.</ref>|end=October, 1924<ref>Watson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 214.</ref>}}
</div name=fredbot:office0>

==Second in Command==
A reduction in the size of the Squadron in the post-war years meant that a second-in-command was no longer needed, and a single Rear-Admiral was entrusted with overall command.

Dates of appointment given:
<div name=fredbot:office1 otitle="Rear-Admiral in the Fourth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Alexander Ludovic Duff|nick=Alexander L. Duff|appt=22 October, 1914<ref>Duff Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 80.</ref>|precBy=New Appointment|end=12 June, 1916<ref>Duff Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 80.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt|nick=Ernest F. A. Gaunt|appt=12 June, 1916<ref>Gaunt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 276.</ref>|end=23 June, 1917<ref>Gaunt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 276.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|nick=Roger J. B. Keyes|appt=23 June, 1917<ref>Keyes Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  f. 291.</ref>|end=25 September, 1917<ref>Keyes Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.}}  f. 277.</ref>}}
{{Tenure|rank={{RearRN}}|name=Douglas Romilly Lothian Nicholson|nick=Douglas R. L. Nicholson|appt=25 September, 1917<ref>Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 290.</ref>|end=3 December, 1918<ref>Nicholson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 457.</ref>|note=on 3 December, assumed command of Squadron due to Browning's absence}}
</div name=fredbot:office1>

Also, [[Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram]] at some point.{{FC}}

==Other Personnel==

===Squadron Gunnery Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFGO otitle="Squadron Gunnery Officer, Fourth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFGO>

===Squadron Torpedo Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFTO otitle="Squadron Torpedo Officer, Fourth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFTO>

===Squadron W/T Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFWO otitle="Squadron W/T Officer, Fourth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
{{Tenure|rank=Captain, R.M.|name=Richmond Campbell Shakespear Waller|nick=Richmond C. S. Waller|appt=April, 1913{{NLJan14|p. 304}}|end=}}
</div name=fredbot:officeFWO>

===Squadron Signal Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFSO otitle="Squadron Signal Officer, Fourth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFSO>

===Squadron Navigating Officer===

<div name=fredbot:officeFNO otitle="Squadron Navigating Officer, Fourth Battle Squadron" nat="UK">
</div name=fredbot:officeFNO>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{UKNavalOpsI}}
*{{DittColl}}
{{refend}}

{{RNBattleSquadrons|sort=4}}