Stanley Cecil James Colville: Difference between revisions

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==Great War==
==Great War==
Colville was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}} dated 11 September, 1914.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28984/pages/9690 no. 28984.  p. 9690.]  24 November, 1914.</ref> On 9 July, 1915, Colville was promoted to Knight Grand Cross in the Royal Victoria Order (G.C.V.O.).<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29232/pages/6959 no. 29232.  p. 6959.]  16 July, 1915.</ref>  As he noted to Hamilton, "He [King George V] much to my surprise gave me the GCVO on leaving [Scapa], I was greatly touched & honoured but feel that an Admiral who can only be employed by the Admiralty 'on the Mud' in war time is not worthy of it."<ref>Colville to Hamilton. Letter of 12 July, 1915. Hamilton Papers. HTN/117/A.</ref>
On 7 September, 1914, Colville was appointed [[Vice-Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands]].<ref>Colville service record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42/25.}}</ref> He was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}} dated 11 September,<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28984/pages/9690 no. 28984.  p. 9690.]  24 November, 1914.</ref> but asked not to be given the rank so as to remain junior to Jellicoe.<ref>Colville service record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42/25.}}</ref> At the end of December he took command of the {{UK-BS|1}} for a few days whilst [[Cecil Burney, First Baronet|Sir Cecil Burney]] was ill. He took command on 24 December and went ashore on 28 December.<ref>"Grand Fleet Narrative of Events." Jellicoe Papers. British Library. Add MS 48996. ff. 230, 235.</ref> Colville wrote to Hamilton:
 
<blockquote>By Jove I simply lived again during my 4 days with the 1<sup><u>st</u></sup> Battle Squadron. The Germans might have had the decency to come out & give me a show on Xmas Day - from my point of view Burney came back in too much of a hurry & how I long for another chance at sea & a permanent one, not kind on other Admirals!! but still if the chance did occur I always doubt W.C. [Winston Churchill] & Co. appointing me if they could avoid it.<ref>Colville to Hamilton. Letter of 5 January, 1915. Hamilton Papers. National Maritime Museum. HTN/117/A.</ref>
 
On 9 July, 1915, Colville was promoted to Knight Grand Cross in the Royal Victoria Order (G.C.V.O.).<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29232/pages/6959 no. 29232.  p. 6959.]  16 July, 1915.</ref>  As he noted to Hamilton, "He [King George V] much to my surprise gave me the GCVO on leaving [Scapa], I was greatly touched & honoured but feel that an Admiral who can only be employed by the Admiralty 'on the Mud' in war time is not worthy of it."<ref>Colville to Hamilton. Letter of 12 July, 1915. Hamilton Papers. National Maritime Museum. HTN/117/A.</ref>


In describing Colville's qualifications for Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet, [[Jellicoe]] wrote on 9 August, 1915:
In describing Colville's qualifications for Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet, [[Jellicoe]] wrote on 9 August, 1915:
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<blockquote><u>Colville</u> has dash, but is nervy & very apt to worry about those under him about trifles.  His experience is not so recent as Burney's, & of Fleet experience <u>during the war</u> he has practically NIL.  He does not handle a fleet I should think so well as [[Cecil Burney, First Baronet|Burney]].  On the other hand his health is excellent as is his vigour.</blockquote>
<blockquote><u>Colville</u> has dash, but is nervy & very apt to worry about those under him about trifles.  His experience is not so recent as Burney's, & of Fleet experience <u>during the war</u> he has practically NIL.  He does not handle a fleet I should think so well as [[Cecil Burney, First Baronet|Burney]].  On the other hand his health is excellent as is his vigour.</blockquote>


Jellicoe went on to write that if "it is decided to appoint Colville in my place should the necessity arise, I think he should come <u>now</u> to a Battle Squadron to get the experience.  It would be hard on Burney to keep him on if Colville comes in over his head & if that were done I think Burney should be <u>given the offer</u> of Colville's present appointment."<ref>Jackson Papers. National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth: 255/4/14.</ref>  
Jellicoe went on to write that if "it is decided to appoint Colville in my place should the necessity arise, I think he should come <u>now</u> to a Battle Squadron to get the experience.  It would be hard on Burney to keep him on if Colville comes in over his head & if that were done I think Burney should be <u>given the offer</u> of Colville's present appointment."<ref>Jellicoe to Jackson. Jackson Papers. National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. 255/4/14.</ref>
 
Colville struck his flag as Vice-Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands on 19 January, 1916. He was appointed [[Portsmouth Station|Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth]] on 17 February, and held that command until the end of the war.


In 1916 Jellicoe reported in a dispatch that it was largely due to Colville that the work at the northern base was so cheerfully and energetically carried out, and official appreciation of the Admiralty was duly expressed. In February 1916 he succeeded Sir Hedworth Meux as commander-in-chief at Portsmouth, having been promoted admiral soon after going to Scapa in September 1914. He held that important post for the rest of the war, and finally hauled down his flag in March 1919. He was appointed First and Principal Aide-de-Camp to the King on 31 July, 1919,<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31489/pages/9961 no. 31489.  p. 9961.]  5 August, 1919.</ref> and was placed on the Retired List on 4 April, 1922.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32668/pages/2934 no. 32668.  p. 2934.]  11 April, 1922.</ref>
==Post-War==
He struck his flag at Portsmouth on 31 March, 1919. He was appointed [[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to the King on 31 July, 1919,<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31489/pages/9961 no. 31489.  p. 9961.]  5 August, 1919.</ref> and was placed on the Retired List on 4 April, 1922.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32668/pages/2934 no. 32668.  p. 2934.]  11 April, 1922.</ref> On 1 January, 1927, he was appointed to the ceremonial office of Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom, and on 22 March, 1929, became Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom.<ref>Colville service record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42/25.}}</ref>


==Retirement==
==Retirement==

Revision as of 11:15, 27 May 2017

Admiral The Honourable Sir Stanley Colville, 1917.
Photograph: © National Portrait Gallery, London.

Admiral THE HONOURABLE SIR Stanley Cecil James Colville, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O. (21 February, 1861 – 9 April, 1939) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Colville was appointed as a Naval Cadet to the training ship Britannia at Dartmouth on 15 July, 1874.

For services rendered during the operations in Egypt, Colville was specially promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 18 November, 1882.[1]

On 18 July, 1889, Colville was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 55 for manoeuvres.[Inference][2] He then went to Buzzard until 20 August, 1890.[3]

Colville was appointed to the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert on 26 August, 1890,[4] and was promoted to the rank of Commander on 25 August, 1892, aged thirty-one years, six months, and four days.[5]

A brief appointment in the armoured cruiser Achilles occupied part of 1893, and in May, 1893, he began a three year turn in Trafalgar in the Mediterranean.[6]

For his services in the Sudan, Colville was appointed a Companion in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 17 November, 1896, and was specially promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 October, aged thirty-five years, eight months, and ten days.[7]

Colville was appointed as captain of the second class battleship Barfleur on 9 September, 1898, remaining in her through October, 1899.[8]

He was appointed in command of Crescent as Flag Captain on 1 March, 1900.[9]

Flag Rank

Colville was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 11 November, 1906, vice Marrack.[10]

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 12 April, 1911, vice Bridgeman.[11]

On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 14 June, 1912.[12]

Great War

On 7 September, 1914, Colville was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands.[13] He was promoted to the rank of Admiral dated 11 September,[14] but asked not to be given the rank so as to remain junior to Jellicoe.[15] At the end of December he took command of the First Battle Squadron for a few days whilst Sir Cecil Burney was ill. He took command on 24 December and went ashore on 28 December.[16] Colville wrote to Hamilton:

By Jove I simply lived again during my 4 days with the 1st Battle Squadron. The Germans might have had the decency to come out & give me a show on Xmas Day - from my point of view Burney came back in too much of a hurry & how I long for another chance at sea & a permanent one, not kind on other Admirals!! but still if the chance did occur I always doubt W.C. [Winston Churchill] & Co. appointing me if they could avoid it.[17]

On 9 July, 1915, Colville was promoted to Knight Grand Cross in the Royal Victoria Order (G.C.V.O.).[18] As he noted to Hamilton, "He [King George V] much to my surprise gave me the GCVO on leaving [Scapa], I was greatly touched & honoured but feel that an Admiral who can only be employed by the Admiralty 'on the Mud' in war time is not worthy of it."[19]

In describing Colville's qualifications for Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet, Jellicoe wrote on 9 August, 1915:

Colville has dash, but is nervy & very apt to worry about those under him about trifles. His experience is not so recent as Burney's, & of Fleet experience during the war he has practically NIL. He does not handle a fleet I should think so well as Burney. On the other hand his health is excellent as is his vigour.

Jellicoe went on to write that if "it is decided to appoint Colville in my place should the necessity arise, I think he should come now to a Battle Squadron to get the experience. It would be hard on Burney to keep him on if Colville comes in over his head & if that were done I think Burney should be given the offer of Colville's present appointment."[20]

Colville struck his flag as Vice-Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands on 19 January, 1916. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth on 17 February, and held that command until the end of the war.

Post-War

He struck his flag at Portsmouth on 31 March, 1919. He was appointed First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King on 31 July, 1919,[21] and was placed on the Retired List on 4 April, 1922.[22] On 1 January, 1927, he was appointed to the ceremonial office of Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom, and on 22 March, 1929, became Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom.[23]

Retirement

On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Additional Member of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (G.C.M.G.) on 3 June, 1919.[24]

In 1927 Colville was appointed Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom and in 1929 Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom and Lieutenant of the Admiralty, ancient offices which had fallen into desuetude but were revived in 1901 by King Edward VII as high court appointments, corresponding to the military Silver Stick and Gold Stick in Waiting. He died at Crawley Down, Sussex, 9 April 1939.

Colville was a fine type of the ‘salt horse’ naval officer: without any pretensions to brilliance or scientific eminence he had a thorough knowledge of his profession, and possessed the complete confidence of his seniors. His lifelong energy and activity in everything concerned with the welfare of the navy were greatly appreciated by all ranks. He made no mistakes and was popular and trusted throughout the service. Although owing something no doubt to his association with the royal family, he well deserved his fortunate career in the Royal Navy.

Colville was appointed C.V.O. in 1902, K.C.B. in 1912, and G.C.V.O. on the occasion of the King's visit to Scapa in July 1915, G.C.M.G. in 1919, and G.C.B. in 1921. Of foreign honours he received the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, the Russian Order of St. Stanislaus, and the Order of the Crown of Siam, and he was a grand officer of the Legion of Honour. He married in 1902 Lady Adelaide Jane, youngest daughter of Admiral of the Fleet Richard James Meade, fourth Earl of Clanwilliam , and had four sons.

An oil portrait of Colville, painted by Sir William Llewellyn (1927), is in private possession. A tinted charcoal drawing of him by Francis Dodd is in the Imperial War Museum.

Assessment

Admiral The Hon. Sir Herbert Meade-Fetherstonhaugh wrote to Sir Vincent W. Baddeley in 1945 that:

To my mind the the outstanding feature of his career was his great popularity with his contemporaries & up to the time of his death his unfailing energy & activity.[25]

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir Stanley Colville" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 11 April, 1939. Issue 48276, col E, p. 13.
  • Gordon, Andrew (2005). The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Command. London: John Murray (Publishers). ISBN 0719561310. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Frank Finnis 		Rear-Admiral, Nore Division, Home Fleet
1908 – 1909 		Succeeded by
Charles J. Briggs

Preceded by
Sir George A. Callaghan 		Vice-Admiral Commanding,
First Battle Squadron
1912 – 1914 		Succeeded by
Sir Lewis Bayly

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Frank Peyton 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 55
18 Jul, 1889[26] – 31 Aug, 1889[27] 		Succeeded by
Arthur T. Dawson
Preceded by
George A. Callaghan 		Naval Adviser to the Inspector-General of Fortifications
19 Jul, 1897[28] 		Succeeded by
The Hon. Walter G. Stopford
Preceded by
Reginald N. Custance 		Captain of H.M.S. Barfleur
9 Sep, 1898[29] – Oct, 1899[30] 		Succeeded by
Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart.
Preceded by
Sir Charles J. Graves-Sawle, Bart. 		Captain of H.M.S. Crescent
1 Mar, 1900[31] 		Succeeded by
Trevylyan D. W. Napier
Preceded by
George F. King-Hall 		Chief of Staff, Mediterranean Station
1 May, 1902[32] – 1 May, 1905[33] 		Succeeded by
Osmond de B. Brock
Preceded by
F. Alban A. G. Tate 		Captain of H.M.S. Hindustan
20 Dec, 1905[34] – 21 Dec, 1906[35] 		Succeeded by
The Hon. Alexander E. Bethell
Preceded by
Sir Percy M. Scott 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron
24 Feb, 1909[36] – 6 Mar, 1911[37] 		Succeeded by
Lewis Bayly
Preceded by
? 		Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Squadron
22 Jun, 1912[38] – 22 Jun, 1914[39] 		Succeeded by
Sir Lewis Bayly
Preceded by
New Command 		Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands
7 Sep, 1914[40] – 19 Jan, 1916[41] 		Succeeded by
Sir Frederic E. E. Brock
Preceded by
The Hon. Sir Hedworth Meux 		Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Station
17 Feb, 1916[42] – 31 Mar, 1919[43] 		Succeeded by
Sir Cecil Burney, Bart.
Court Appointments
Preceded by
Sir Henry B. Jackson 		First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp
31 Jul, 1919[44] 		Succeeded by
Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart.
Preceded by
Edmund R. Fremantle 		Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom
1 Jan, 1927[45] – 22 Mar, 1929[46] 		Succeeded by
Montague E. Browning
Preceded by
Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman 		Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom
22 Mar, 1929[47] – 6 Feb, 1939[48] 		Succeeded by
Montague E. Browning

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25169. p. 5173. 17 November, 1882.
  2. ↑ "The Naval Manœuvres". The Times. Monday, 15 July, 1889. Issue 32751, col B, p. 4.
  3. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  4. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1891). p. 264.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26322. p. 5016. 2 September, 1892.
  6. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26795. p. 6271. 17 November, 1896.
  8. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  9. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  10. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27967. p. 7628. 13 November, 1906.
  11. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28485. p. 2967. 14 April, 1911.
  12. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28617. p. 4297. 14 April, 1911.
  13. ↑ Colville service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/25.
  14. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28984. p. 9690. 24 November, 1914.
  15. ↑ Colville service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/25.
  16. ↑ "Grand Fleet Narrative of Events." Jellicoe Papers. British Library. Add MS 48996. ff. 230, 235.
  17. ↑ Colville to Hamilton. Letter of 5 January, 1915. Hamilton Papers. National Maritime Museum. HTN/117/A.
  18. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 29232. p. 6959. 16 July, 1915.
  19. ↑ Colville to Hamilton. Letter of 12 July, 1915. Hamilton Papers. National Maritime Museum. HTN/117/A.
  20. ↑ Jellicoe to Jackson. Jackson Papers. National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. 255/4/14.
  21. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31489. p. 9961. 5 August, 1919.
  22. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 32668. p. 2934. 11 April, 1922.
  23. ↑ Colville service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/25.
  24. ↑ Edinburgh Gazette: no. 13459. p. 2063. 5 June, 1919.
  25. ↑ Meade-Fetherstonhaugh to Baddeley. Letter of 22 August, 1945. Baddeley Papers. National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth.
  26. ↑ "The Naval Manœuvres". The Times. Monday, 15 July, 1889. Issue 32751, col B, p. 4.
  27. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  28. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/25.
  29. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  30. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  31. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  32. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  33. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  34. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  35. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  36. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  37. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  38. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. Unnumbered page.
  39. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  40. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  41. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 29.
  42. ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 2.
  43. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 292.
  44. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31489. p. 9961. 5 August, 1919.
  45. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 292.
  46. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 292.
  47. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 292.
  48. ↑ Colville Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 292.

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