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[[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] Sir '''Matthew Robert Best''', K.C.B., D.S.O., C.V.O. ([[18 June]], [[1878]] – [[13 October]], [[1940]]) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].
[[File:Matthew-Robert-Best, NPG x165050.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Captain Matthew Robert Best, 1917.<br><small>Portrait: © National Portrait Gallery, London.</small>]]
[[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] {{HONSIR}} '''Matthew Robert Best''', K.C.B., D.S.O., C.V.O., Royal Navy (18 June, 1878 &ndash; 13 October, 1940) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].


Captain HMS Queen Elizabeth 1919 Nelson 1927
==Life & Career==
Born in Crotanstown, Kildare.


[[Category:1878 births|Best]]
Best was promoted to {{CommRN}} on 31 December, 1911.{{NLJan15|p. 9}}
[[Category:1940 deaths|Best]]
 
[[Category:Personalities|Best]]
==Great War==
[[Category:Royal Navy Admirals|Best]]
He was appointed to {{UK-IronDuke}} "for special service" in August, 1914.{{NLJan15|p. 338}}
[[Category:Royal Navy Flag Officers|Best]]
 
In Best's diary entry for Monday 1st September, 1914: "C in C saw all Dreado: Captains onboard Iron Duke on subject of Action Tactics".<ref>Best Diaries.  September, 1914.  p. 79.</ref>
 
At the [[Battle of Jutland]], he served as one of four flag captains to Admiral Jellicoe.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_battle_at_Jutland Wikipedia]</ref>
 
On 15 September he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) for his services at Jutland.{{GazSup|29751|9071|15 September, 1916}}
 
==Post-War==
He was appointed as Captain of [[H.M.S. Nelson (1925)|''Nelson'']] in 1927.
 
On 25 November, 1927 [[Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound|Pound]] wrote to [[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Keyes]], mentioning: "Sir C.M. has been staying with Matthew Best in ''Nelson'' and I don't suppose any information obtained from the latter will be very sound".<ref>''Keyes Papers''.  '''II'''.  p. 232.</ref>
 
On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 4 June, 1928.{{GazSup|33390|3847|4 June, 1928}}
 
Best was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 13 October, 1932, vice [[Percival Henry Hall Thompson|Hall Thompson]].{{Gaz|33875|6626|21 October, 1932}}
 
Best died on 13 October, 1940 at Crockway, Frampton, Dorset, at the age of sixty-two.  His funeral took place at Toller Fratrum, Dorset, on Wednesday 16 October.
 
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*"Admiral Sir Matthew Best" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 15 October, 1940.  Issue '''48747''', col F, pg. 7.
*Keyes, R. J. B. (1980).  Halpern, Paul G. ed.  ''The Keyes Papers''.  '''Volume II 1919-1938'''.  London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.  ISBN 0-04-942165-4.
{{refend}}
 
==Service Record==
{{refbegin}}
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7892090&queryType=1&resultcount=1 ADM 196/44]
{{refend}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles William Chipp|Charles W. Chipp]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Daring (1893)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Daring'']]'''<br>21 Jul, 1903<ref>"APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NAVAL MANOEUVRES."  ''The Times'' (London, England), Thursday, Jul 16, 1903; pg. 8; Issue 37134.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Harold Goodwin Innes|Harold G. Innes]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Goodenough Craufurd|Arthur G. Craufurd]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Ferret (1893)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Ferret'']]'''<br>14 Jul, 1904{{ToL|Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres|Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Faulkner Herbert Hartland-Mahon|Richard F. H. Hartland-Mahon]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert Meade|The Hon. Herbert Meade]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Royalist (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Royalist'']]'''<br>30 May, 1917{{NLDec18|p. 898}}<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 430.</ref> &ndash; 7 Apr, 1918<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 430.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Kemmis Betty|Arthur K. Betty]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, First Baron Chatfield|A. Ernle M. Chatfield]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth (1913)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Queen Elizabeth'']]'''<br>8 Apr, 1919{{NLAug19|p. 888}}<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 430.</ref> &ndash; 28 Jun, 1921<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 430.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Geoffrey Blake|Geoffrey Blake]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur John Davies|Arthur J. Davies]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Excellent'']]'''<br>15 Aug, 1924<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref> &ndash; 14 Aug, 1926<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Arthur Robertson-Scott|Charles A. Scott]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Nelson (1925)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Nelson'']]'''<br>5 Jan, 1927{{NLJul27|p. 256}}<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref> &ndash; 15 Aug, 1927<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Sidney Julius Meyrick|Sidney J. Meyrick]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frank Larken|Frank Larken]]'''|'''[[Second Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Second Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>16 May, 1929<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref> &ndash; 27 Apr, 1931<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Astley Astley-Rushton|Edward A. Astley-Rushton]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Francis Herbert Mitchell|Francis H. Mitchell]]'''|'''[[Malta Dockyard|Admiral Superintendent, Malta Dockyard]]'''<br>12 Jun, 1931<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref> &ndash; 22 Jan, 1934<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Frankland French|Sir Wilfred F. French]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Aylmer Ranfurly Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax|Reginald A. R. Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax]]'''<br><small>as '''Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station'''</small>|'''[[North America and West Indies Station|Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station]]'''<br>11 Oct, 1934<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref> &ndash; ''c''. 26 May, 1937<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 192.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Matthew Robert Best|Matthew R. Best]]'''<br><small>as '''Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station'''</small>}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Matthew Robert Best|The Hon. Matthew R. Best]]'''<br><small>as '''Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station'''</small>|'''[[North America and West Indies Station|Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station]]'''<br>11 Oct, 1934<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 430.</ref> &ndash; 26 May, 1937<ref>Best Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|}} f. 430.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Sidney Julius Meyrick|Sidney J. Meyrick]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts> 
 
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Best, Matthew}}
 
{{CatPerson|UK|1878|1940}}
{{CatBritannia|January, 1892}}
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
{{CatAdm|UK}}
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 22:08, 6 April 2022

Captain Matthew Robert Best, 1917.
Portrait: © National Portrait Gallery, London.

Admiral THE HONOURABLE SIR Matthew Robert Best, K.C.B., D.S.O., C.V.O., Royal Navy (18 June, 1878 – 13 October, 1940) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Crotanstown, Kildare.

Best was promoted to Commander on 31 December, 1911.[1]

Great War

He was appointed to Iron Duke "for special service" in August, 1914.[2]

In Best's diary entry for Monday 1st September, 1914: "C in C saw all Dreado: Captains onboard Iron Duke on subject of Action Tactics".[3]

At the Battle of Jutland, he served as one of four flag captains to Admiral Jellicoe.[4]

On 15 September he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) for his services at Jutland.[5]

Post-War

He was appointed as Captain of Nelson in 1927.

On 25 November, 1927 Pound wrote to Keyes, mentioning: "Sir C.M. has been staying with Matthew Best in Nelson and I don't suppose any information obtained from the latter will be very sound".[6]

On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 4 June, 1928.[7]

Best was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 13 October, 1932, vice Hall Thompson.[8]

Best died on 13 October, 1940 at Crockway, Frampton, Dorset, at the age of sixty-two. His funeral took place at Toller Fratrum, Dorset, on Wednesday 16 October.

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir Matthew Best" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 15 October, 1940. Issue 48747, col F, pg. 7.
  • Keyes, R. J. B. (1980). Halpern, Paul G. ed. The Keyes Papers. Volume II 1919-1938. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd. ISBN 0-04-942165-4.

Service Record

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Charles W. Chipp 		Captain of H.M.S. Daring
21 Jul, 1903[9] 		Succeeded by
Harold G. Innes
Preceded by
Arthur G. Craufurd 		Captain of H.M.S. Ferret
14 Jul, 1904[10] 		Succeeded by
Richard F. H. Hartland-Mahon
Preceded by
The Hon. Herbert Meade 		Captain of H.M.S. Royalist
30 May, 1917[11][12] – 7 Apr, 1918[13] 		Succeeded by
Arthur K. Betty
Preceded by
A. Ernle M. Chatfield 		Captain of H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth
8 Apr, 1919[14][15] – 28 Jun, 1921[16] 		Succeeded by
Geoffrey Blake
Preceded by
Arthur J. Davies 		Captain of H.M.S. Excellent
15 Aug, 1924[17] – 14 Aug, 1926[18] 		Succeeded by
Charles A. Scott
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Nelson
5 Jan, 1927[19][20] – 15 Aug, 1927[21] 		Succeeded by
Sidney J. Meyrick
Preceded by
Frank Larken 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, Second Cruiser Squadron
16 May, 1929[22] – 27 Apr, 1931[23] 		Succeeded by
Edward A. Astley-Rushton
Preceded by
Francis H. Mitchell 		Admiral Superintendent, Malta Dockyard
12 Jun, 1931[24] – 22 Jan, 1934[25] 		Succeeded by
Sir Wilfred F. French
Preceded by
Reginald A. R. Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax
as Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station 		Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station
11 Oct, 1934[26] – c. 26 May, 1937[27] 		Succeeded by
Matthew R. Best
as Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station
Preceded by
The Hon. Matthew R. Best
as Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station 		Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station
11 Oct, 1934[28] – 26 May, 1937[29] 		Succeeded by
Sidney J. Meyrick

 

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 9.
  2. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 338.
  3. ↑ Best Diaries. September, 1914. p. 79.
  4. ↑ Wikipedia
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29751. p. 9071. 15 September, 1916.
  6. ↑ Keyes Papers. II. p. 232.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 33390. p. 3847. 4 June, 1928.
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33875. p. 6626. 21 October, 1932.
  9. ↑ "APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NAVAL MANOEUVRES." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Jul 16, 1903; pg. 8; Issue 37134.
  10. ↑ "Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442.
  11. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 898.
  12. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 430.
  13. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 430.
  14. ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1919). p. 888.
  15. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 430.
  16. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 430.
  17. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  18. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  19. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 256.
  20. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  21. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  22. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  23. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  24. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  25. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  26. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  27. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 192.
  28. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 430.
  29. ↑ Best Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 430.

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