Examples
of Confidential Reporting on Captains and Flag Officers
(War
Course below)
Source: TNA: PRO:
ADM 196/89 Folio 123 - Summary of confidential reports
This series show
summaries of reports made by commanding officers on individual officers,
partially in relation to their suitability for promotion. In total it covers
the years approximately from 1893 to 1944. These are grouped by highest rank
attained and the seniority in that rank, so basic information from service
sheets or the Navy List is required to find particular officers.
The following are excerpts
of reports made on Captain Cecil Fox R.N., who was Captain 3rd
Destroyer Flotilla on 5th August 1914. On this first day of the
Great War his flotilla (along with elements of the 1st Destroyer
Flotilla) intercepted and sank the German minelayer HILFSTREUMINENDAMPFER B off
Aldeburgh. Unfortunately, on returning to Harwich the following morning he led
his charge over the mines laid by the Germans the day
before and lost his flagship, the light cruiser AMPHION. One commissioned
officer and 150 men from AMPHION and numerous enemy Prisoners of War were
killed: with many more wounded. Although initially returning
as Captain 3DF Cecil Fox was quietly brought ashore a few months later.
There he remained for the rest of the conflict and was subsequently pensioned
off as a Rear Admiral in May 1922. For much more on the above operation please
see Len Barnett: ‘A “Well Known” Incident Reassessed - The German Attempted
Mining of the Thames in August 1914’ in The Mariner’s Mirror Volume 89
Number 2 May 2003.
Please note that
appointments and dates are also shown on the original documents, but for the
sake of brevity have been left off here.
.
|
Rank |
REMARKS |
|
Lieutenant |
Experienced in Destroyer work and
Training Service |
|
Commander |
June 07 An offr
of marked ability, who has loyally performed his duties as junior Comr of Flotilla: Comr Skipwith. The Rear Admiral (D) concurs |
|
|
Nov 08 Was in commd
of destroyer as leader of a squadron. A v.g. +
useful offr with a thorough knowledge of
Destroyers. Would do very well in a “Scout”: Physically strong. Recommended
for advancement. Comre Bayley.
Sir F. Bridgeman concurs + recom for a “Scout” |
|
|
Aug 10 Very able, zealous v.g. judgement v.g. physical
qualities. Strongly recomd for early promtn. Excellent leader of T.B.D.s great knowledge of
Destroyer service. Captain Paine |
|
|
June 11 War Course - 1st
class Cert |
|
Captain |
5.12.16 Capt of Training Ship always in
good order Sir G. Warrender |
|
|
31.7.18 As a Staff Officer lacks powers
of organisation and initiative. Would do better in command of a ship. Admiral
Sir A E Bethell |
|
|
7.3.21 Infd
further sea employmt not possible + that it is also
impossible to make any exception in promotion regns
CW 2776/21 |
There is also a notation of being married on
the 29th March 1916.
Source: TNA: PRO: ADM 203/99 - War Course
1904-14
.
p.26
.
|
Roger J.B. Keys, MVO |
Captain |
Good, keen, 2nd course on S.C.* |
* Staff College
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