Bertram Hornsby Smith
Captain Bertram Hornsby Smith, C.B.E., R.N. (13 December, 1874 – 18 November, 1945) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the latter half of the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth centuries. He was placed on the Retired List in 1915 but rose to become Director of the Mercantile Movements Division of the Naval Staff.
Early Life & Career
Smith gained eleven months on passing out of Britannia in July 1889.
Smith was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 14 April, 1894.[1]
He was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 31 December, 1904.[2]
In 1905, Smith worked on a committee on the Calibration of Gun Sights. In 1906, he assisted in designing "extended defences" for Portsmouth. In 1907, he helped revise the Gunnery Manual.[3]
Smith was promoted to the rank of Captain dated 30 June, 1912.[4]
Great War
Smith was appointed in command of the battleship Vengeance on 15 August, 1914.[5]
In mid-July 1915, Smith was superseded in command of Vengeance and was deemed to be suffering from "neurasthenia".
In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 22 February, 1870, Smith was placed on the Retired List dated 7 September, 1915.[6] His retirement was cancelled on 16 March, 1918.[7]
Post-War & Retirement
On 16 September, 1919, Smith was appointed a Commander of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.): "For valuable services at the Admiralty during the War."[8] In late 1919 he applied for the position of Second Naval Member on the Commonwealth Naval Board.[9] Smith was once again placed on the Retired List on 1 January, 1920 due to unfitness.[10]
In 1938, Smith's offer of services for the second World War were noted. He worked only briefly between September and November, 1939 as the Naval Representative on the Joint Recruiting Board of the University of Durham before the appointment was terminated and he was sent back to the Retired List on 8 November, 1939.[11]
Smith died at The Nursing Home, Chubb Hill, Whitby, on 18 November, 1945.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Herbert A. Adam |
Captain of H.M.S. Vengeance 15 Aug, 1914[12][13] – 30 Jul, 1915[14] |
Succeeded by Adolphus H. Williamson |
| Preceded by Frederic A. Whitehead |
Director of Mercantile Movements 19 Jan, 1919[15][16] – 30 Sep, 1919[17] |
Succeeded by Closed Down |
Footnotes
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27750. p. 25. 3 January, 1905.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28623. p. 4748. 2 July, 1912.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 387a.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 29295. p. 9089. 14 September, 1915.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 30591. p. 3635. 22 March, 1918.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31553. p. 11576. 16 September, 1919.
- ↑ Smith service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 398u.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
- ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 123.
- ↑ Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/403. f. 445.
