Andrew Kennedy Bickford

Andrew Kennedy Bickford, C.M.G., seen as a Vice-Admiral in Full Dress.

Admiral Andrew Kennedy Bickford, C.M.G., Royal Navy (16 July, 1844 – 9 October, 1927) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Commander with seniority of 31 December, 1878.

Captain

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1884. On 13 April, 1885, he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) in connection with his services in regard to the crew of the Nisero.

After the customary lengthy period on half pay, on 15 June, 1887, he was appointed in command of the troop ship Assistance. He was superseded in command on 21 June, 1890. On 22 July he was appointed in command of Medusa for the Annual Manoeuvres of 1890.

He was appointed in command of the third class protected cruiser Katoomba on 24 March, 1891, for service on the Australian Station. Katoomba paid off on 20 April, 1894. On 18 July he took command of Gibraltar for the manœuvres.

In July 1893, Bickford was involved in the surrender of the rebel chief Matuaga[?]. From September to Noveimber 1893, he dealt with disturbances at Samoa in a manner that pleased the Admiralty.

Bickford was appointed in command of the battleship Resolution in the Channel Squadron on 1 February, 1895.

On 13 August 1896, Bickford was faulted "unskilful handling" after Resolution fouled Repulse.

Bickford was appointed to Inflexible on 17 December, 1896, for command of the Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth, taking her to sea for the annual manœuvres from 15 June to 4 July, 1897. He transferred to Trafalgar for command of the Fleet Reserve on 13 October, 1897.

On 11 January, 1898, he was appointed to Wildfire as Captain Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard.

Flag Rank

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral dated 22 June, 1899, vice Palliser. On 29 June he relinquished command at Sheerness, and went on half pay. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the Pacific Station on 15 October, 1900, and assumed command on 13 December. He was relieved in command on 21 December, 1903, and returned to England on 7 January, 1904.

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 10 February, 1904, vice Rose.

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 22 March, 1908, vice Bosanquet, and was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 12 May.

See Also

• Wikipedia

Bibliography

• "Admiral A. K. Bickford" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 11 October, 1927. Issue 44709, col C, p. 9.
• Bickford, Richard E. (1996). Light Airs and Gentle Breezes: A Victorian Naval Life Story. Dumfries: Tartan Edge. ISBN 0952175010.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/86.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/36.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/15.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Edward F. Day	Captain of H.M.S. Pegasus 6 Dec, 1882	Succeeded by Harry T. Grenfell
Preceded by Edward H. M. Davis	Captain of H.M.S. Medusa 22 Jul, 1890 – 4 Sep, 1890	Succeeded by Richard N. Gresley
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Katoomba 24 Mar, 1891 – 20 Apr, 1894	Succeeded by Julian A. Baker
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Gibraltar 18 Jul, 1894	Succeeded by Angus MacLeod
Preceded by William H. Hall	Captain of H.M.S. Resolution 1 Feb, 1895 – 17 Dec, 1896	Succeeded by John H. Bainbridge
Preceded by Thomas S. Jackson	Captain of H.M.S. Inflexible 17 Dec, 1896 – 13 Oct, 1897	Succeeded by John F. Stuart
Preceded by Edward H. M. Davis	Captain of H.M.S. Trafalgar 13 Oct, 1897	Succeeded by George A. Giffard
Preceded by John C. Burnell	Captain Superintendent, Sheerness Dockyard 11 Jan, 1898 – 29 Jun, 1899	Succeeded by Reginald F. H. Henderson
Preceded by Lewis A. Beaumont	Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station 15 Oct, 1900 – 21 Dec, 1903	Succeeded by James E. C. Goodrich