Alexander Grant

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Captain Alexander Grant, C.B.E., D.S.C., R.N., Retired (7 March, 1872 – 4 May, 1961) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Grant was born on 7 March, 1872, the son of a Speyside miller.[1] He entered the Royal Navy on 21 December, 1887. He successfully passed the examination for Gunner on his 23rd birthday,[2] and was promoted to that rank on 1 January, 1896, and Chief Gunner on 1 April, 1912.[3]

Grant received their Lordships' "severe displeasure" for the blame attributed to him for the death of a stoker in 1911. From 25 September, 1911, to 24 January, 1912, he was appointed to Hecla for service with destroyers. On 1 March, 1912, he was appointed to the staff of Excellent at Portsmouth.[4]

Grant was appointed to the battlecruiser Lion on 5 June, 1915 and fought in her at the Battle of Jutland. His gallantry in that battle earned him a special promotion to Lieutenant, dated 30 June, 1916.[5]

On 12 October, 1916, Grant was appointed in command of the destroyer Griffon. On 8 March, 1918, his award of the Distinguished Service Cross was Gazetted.[6]

Post-War

On 19 February, 1919, he was appointed in command of the destroyer Moorsom, before being appointed to the Naval Barracks at Chatham on 26 March. He was appointed to Crescent for duty with the Fleet Coaling Officer Firth of Forth on 6 October, where he remained for three years.[7]

Grant was appointed to Excellent on 17 October, 1922, and on 16 December was appointed "Lieutenant of the Island," which position he held until his retirement on 1 January, 1927. By a special Order in Council of 5 November, 1926, he was granted the rank of Commander on the Retired List in spite of not having completed the necessary service in a Ship of War at Sea to qualify him for the step in rank. On 3 June he was Gazetted a Companion of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.).[8]

On 2 November, 1939, he returned to the Active List and was given charge of H.M.S. Victory. In 1942 he was promoted to the rank of Captain on the Retired List.[9]

Bibliography

  • The Naval Miscellany VII (2008). London: Navy Records Society.

Papers

  • Through the Hawse Pipe. Memoirs in the possession of the Imperial War Museum. 66/283/1.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Frank A. C. Baker 		Captain of H.M.S. Griffon
12 Oct, 1916[10] – early 1919[11] 		Succeeded by
?

 

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Naval Miscellany. VII. p. 379.
  2. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/170/271.
  3. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/34/355
  4. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/34/355.
  5. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/34/355.
  6. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/96/123.
  7. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/96/123.
  8. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/96/123.
  9. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/96/123.
  10. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 805.
  11. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 805.

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