William Arthur

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Rear-Admiral William Arthur (4 July, 1830 – 15 November, 1886) served in the Royal Navy. At one point in his career he was reputed to have "the greatest number of medals of any officer in the Service".

Life & Career

William Arthur was born at Atherington, Devon, on 4 July, 1830, the second son of the Reverend James Arthur, rector of Atherington. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and joined the Royal Navy in 1845.

Arthur was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 8 March, 1864.

Arthur was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 April, 1861. On 1 August Nimrod paid off and he went on half pay. After two years he was appointed to the Landrail on 14 May, 1863, which he paid off on 13 March, 1864. He was then appointed Commander of the Excellent on 22 March, where he remained until the customary promotion to the rank of Captain on 15 April, 1867, aged 36. He returned to half pay, where he languished for the usual long period until he was appointed Captain of the Iron Duke on 31 August, 1871, on the China Station. He remained there for almost five years, paying Iron Duke off on 18 May, 1875. On 26 April Arthur became the first captain of H.M.S. Vernon as an independent torpedo training school. He held this important command for three years before going on half pay on 1 July, 1879.

On 2 October, 1882, he was appointed to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for a voluntary course of study, but was appointed to the Hector, Coast Guard ship, on 28 November. He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 31 March, 1885, less than four months before he would have been compulsorily retired for age. He gave up command of Hector the same day.

He died at Bakeham Grange, Egham on 15 November, 1886, aged 56. Queen Victoria is reported to have visited him the day before he died to inquire about his health.

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Iron Duke
31 Aug, 1871[1] – 18 May, 1875
Succeeded by
Henry D. Hickley
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Vernon
26 Apr, 1876[2] – 30 Jun, 1879
Succeeded by
William E. Gordon
Preceded by
?
Royal Navy Naval Attaché at Washington, D.C.
1 Dec, 1879[3] – 15 Mar, 1882[4]
Succeeded by
Reginald N. Custance

Footnotes

  1. The Navy List. (July, 1872). p. 157.
  2. The Navy List. (March, 1879). p. 249.
  3. Arthur Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/13/335. f. ?.
  4. Arthur Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/13/335. f. ?.