Alan Geoffrey Hotham

Admiral (retired) SIR Alan Geoffrey Hotham, K.C.M.G., C.B. (3 October, 1876 – 10 July, 1965) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Hotham was a first-class cricket player for Hampshire at the turn of the century.

Upon passing out of Britannia in December, 1891, Hotham gained a commendable twelve month's seniority. He took this advanced standing to join the Blake on the North American station on 2 February, 1892. On 9 March, 1895, he moved to join the corvette Cleopatra at the orders of the Commander-in-Chief.

After serving in the torpedo gunboat Alarm for the annual manoeuvres in July and August, Hotham was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 3 October, 1896. His next appointment took him to the Mediterranean in the Ramillies, from mid-January 1897 until May of 1898.

Hotham was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 January, 1907.

He was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Æolus on 23 May, 1911.

Hotham was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1913.

Great War

In June 1914, he was appointed in command of the light cruiser Aurora. He was relieved in this post by Wilmot Stuart Nicholson on 11 November, 1914, having had the cartilage slip in his right knee.

He was appointed in command of the light cruiser Comus in February 1915, remaining in her through the Battle of Jutland where she supported the Grand Fleet as part of the Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron.

Hotham was made Director of the Trade Division on 1 October, 1917.

Post-War

Hotham was appointed Captain of H.M.S. Chatham on 24 May, 1920 and made Commodore, Second Class in command of the New Zealand Station.

Hotham was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 2 November, 1923.

As a Rear-Admiral, on 15 August, 1924, he was made Director of the Director of Naval Intelligence, holding the post for two years. He was admitted to R.N. Hospital Chatham on 14 July, 1926, suffering from neurasthenia.

Hotham was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 27 February, 1929 and was placed on the Retired List the following day.

Hotham was promoted to the rank of Admiral (retired) on 31 December, 1932.

See Also

• Service Records
• Fourth L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by William W. Wilson	Captain of H.M.S. Æolus 23 May, 1911 – 3 Oct, 1913	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Aurora 19 Jun, 1914 – 11 Nov, 1914	Succeeded by Wilmot S. Nicholson
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Penelope 6 Oct, 1914 – 1 Dec, 1914	Succeeded by Hubert Lynes
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Comus 19 Feb, 1915 – 26 Dec, 1916	Succeeded by John M. Casement
Preceded by Hugh T. Walwyn	Assistant Director of Naval Equipment 1917 – 1 Oct, 1917	Succeeded by Percy Withers
Preceded by Richard Webb	Director of the Trade Division 1 Oct, 1917 – 24 May, 1920	Succeeded by Charles J. C. Little
Preceded by William L. Elder	Captain of H.M.S. Chatham 24 May, 1920 – Jul, 1923	Succeeded by Alister F. Beal
Preceded by New Command	Commander, New Zealand Station 24 May, 1920 – Jul, 1923	Succeeded by Alister F. Beal
Preceded by Maurice S. FitzMaurice	Director of Naval Intelligence 15 Aug, 1924 – 15 Aug, 1927	Succeeded by William W. Fisher