Gerald Cartmell Harrison

Rear-Admiral Gerald Cartmell Harrison, Royal Navy (8 October, 1883 – 10 August, 1943) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He managed to command a great many vessels in his naval career despite frequent medical issues, though no single ailment seemed to predominate.

Life & Career

Gerald Harrison was the son of a merchant, John Harrison. He gained five months time on passing out of Britannia and received his first appointment on 5 October, 1899, to the second class protected cruiser Hermes, serving on the North America and West Indies Station. When she paid off on 8 December, 1900, Harrison was sent to join the first class protected cruiser Blenheim, where he was to serve for two years on the China Station.

The years 1903-1905 were complicated by a broken arm and a dislocated knee, causing him to miss joining College. He recuperated at Haslar and emerged fit only in October, 1905.

Harrison was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1908 while on duty at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Appendicitis derailed him for two months from July, 1910 when he sought treatment in Plymouth Hospital.

He was appointed as captain of the destroyer Kestrel on 19 July, 1911. In 1912, he would be commended for his help after Hydro Aeroplane #1 suffered an accident, but in November he was again placed in hospital for two weeks – this time for a sprained right ankle.

On 1 April, 1913, he was appointed as captain of the destroyer Fawn, and "for charge of reduced T.B.Ds".

Harrison was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1913.

On 29 August, 1913, he was appointed in command of the destroyer Crane and "for charge of reduced T.B.D.'s of 6th Flotilla."

Great War

Harrison was appointed in command of the Tribal Class destroyer Cossack on 29 July, 1914.

Harrison was captain of the destroyer Manners at the Battle of Jutland as part of the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla.

On 24 September, 1916, Harrison was commended for his "prompt action" in an encounter with a German U-boat.

In early 1917, he was again undergoing medical treatments.

Harrison was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1917.

Post-War

On 1 October, 1919, he was appointed in command of the destroyer Rocket.

Harrison was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1924.

Harrison was appointed additional to the flotilla leader Keith on 29 April, 1932, to take command and become Captain (D) of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla upon her commissioning in May. He was superseded on 18 October, 1933.

His final appointment before retirement was in command of the Gosport training establishment St. Vincent, from 6 April, 1934. Harrison was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 4 January, 1936 and placed on the Retired List the following day in accordance with Order in Council of 9 March, 1914. He was superseded at St. Vincent only after retirement, however, on 1 September, 1936.

Harrison was brought back up on 1 December, 1940 for an appointment at Selection Board Number 9, vice Macfarlan. He reverted to the Retired List as medically unfit on 1 November, 1941.

Harrison died "suddenly" at Blyth, Notts on 10 August, 1943. He left a widow, Katherine.

See Also

• Service Records
• Eleventh D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland

Bibliography

• "Deaths" (Deaths). The Times. Thursday, 12 August, 1943. Issue 49622, col A, pg. 1.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by William Bacon	Captain of H.M. T.B. 115 1 Jan, 1906 – Feb, 1907	Succeeded by Cradock W. C. J. Nowell
Preceded by George J. Todd	Captain of H.M.S. Teviot 13 Jun, 1911 – 19 Jul, 1911	Succeeded by Alexander H. Gye
Preceded by Cyril Callaghan	Captain of H.M.S. Kestrel 19 Jul, 1911 – 1 Apr, 1913	Succeeded by Richard L. Hamer
Preceded by Herbert E. W. C. Whyte	Captain of H.M.S. Fawn 1 Apr, 1913 – 29 Aug, 1913	Succeeded by Harold C. Woollcombe-Boyce
Preceded by Arthur G. Onslow	Captain of H.M.S. Crane 29 Aug, 1913 – 18 Nov, 1913	Succeeded by Hubert S. Braddyll
Preceded by Albert M. H. Phillips	Captain of H.M.S. Cossack 3 Feb, 1914 – 5 Aug, 1915	Succeeded by William E. B. Magee
Preceded by Charles J. Wintour	Captain of H.M.S. Swift 5 Aug, 1915 – 26 Aug, 1915	Succeeded by Robert H. Coppinger
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Manners 26 Aug, 1915 – 29 May, 1917	Succeeded by Reginald Watkins Grubb
Preceded by Charles E. H. White	Captain of H.M.S. Manners 28 Jul, 1917 – 5 Sep, 1917	Succeeded by Edward C. Denison
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Ulleswater 5 Sep, 1917 – 10 Oct, 1917	Succeeded by Edye K. Boddam-Whetham
Preceded by William B. Mackenzie	Captain of H.M.S. Sarpedon 10 Oct, 1917 – Apr, 1918	Succeeded by Edmond A. B. Stanley
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Vanessa 10 Apr, 1918 – 25 Jan, 1919	Succeeded by Edward O. Broadley
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Wallace 25 Jan, 1919 – 28 Feb, 1919	Succeeded by Brien M. Money
Preceded by Samuel B. Graves	Captain of H.M.S. Nonpareil 28 Feb, 1919 – 1 Oct, 1919	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by James C. Colvill	Captain of H.M.S. Rocket 1 Oct, 1919 – 1 Mar, 1921	Succeeded by John O. Barron
Preceded by Paul Whitfield	Captain of H.M.S. Tribune 20 Nov, 1921 – 10 Oct, 1923	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by John C. Tovey	Captain of H.M.S. Seawolf 7 Jan, 1924 – 9 Jan, 1925	Succeeded by Lawrence D'O. Bignell
Preceded by John B. Stevenson	Captain of H.M.A.S. Adelaide 13 Aug, 1926 – 9 May, 1929	Succeeded by Harry L. Howden
Preceded by Dudley B. N. North	Captain of H.M.S. Constance 9 May, 1929 – 22 Apr, 1930	Succeeded by Colin A. M. Sarel
Preceded by Alfred E. Evans	Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence 26 Apr, 1930 – 29 Apr, 1932	Succeeded by William E. C. Tait
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Keith 29 Apr, 1932 – 18 Oct, 1933	Succeeded by David J. R. Simson
Preceded by Bertram C. Watson	Captain (D), Fourth Destroyer Flotilla 29 Apr, 1932 – 18 Oct, 1933	Succeeded by George H. Creswell
Preceded by Charles A. Scott	Captain of H.M.S. Barham 24 Oct, 1933 – 15 Dec, 1933	Succeeded by Richard J. R. Scott