Charles Windham
Admiral Charles Windham, C.V.O., Royal Navy, Retired (1 March, 1851 – 20 May, 1916) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
Early Life & Career
Charles Windham was born on 1 March, 1851, the second son of Lieutenant-Colonel (later Major-General Sir) Charles Ashe Windham, who won fame for his bravery during the Crimean War. His paternal grandfather was Vice-Admiral William Lukin Windham, and his mother was Marianne Catherine Emily, youngest daughter of Admiral Sir John Poo de la Poer Beresford.
In December, 1864, Windham was ranked seventh in order of merit of thirty-six candidates accepted as first-class Naval Cadets following the entrance examinations.[1]
Windham was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 March, 1874.[2]
He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1888.[3]
On 11 June, 1891, Windham was appointed to H.M.S. Howe.[4]
In mid-1893, he would be praised for his work in salving the Howe and getting her home.[5]
Windham was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1895.[6]
A tale about Windham is recounted in Fabulous Admirals:
Long ago, a stoker having been drowned, the men collected $450 and produced a design for an elaborate tombstone to be bought. Captain Charles Windham heard of this, fell in the ship's company, and spoke: 'I heave heard that this man left a widow and two children penniless in England, and you propose to erect this ludicrous tombstone. My father, Redan Windham, they called him, for he saved the Redan, died and we put up a stone for him for a fiver. I know, for I tossed my brother for who should pay for it and lost.'
The Captain continued, 'I shall confiscate the money, send it and more to his widow; and pay for a suitable tombstone myself. Dismiss the ship's company.[7]
In December 1900, he relieved George Morris Henderson in command of the second class protected cruiser Isis. He remained with the ship until March 1902, when he assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Amphitrite.
Windham was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 8 March, 1901.[8]
Windham was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 4 December, 1905, vice MacLeod.[9]
On 18 July, 1907 Windham was appointed a Gentleman Usher to the King, a position he retained until his death.
In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, he was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 4 June, 1909.[10]
He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 22 July, 1910,[11] and to Admiral on the Retired List on 4 June, 1913.[12]
Windham died at Reymerston Hall, Attleborough, Norfolk. He was buried on Wednesday, 24 May, 1916 at St. George's Cemetery, Hanwell, Middlesex.
Bibliography
- "Death of Admiral Windham" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 23 May, 1916. Issue 41174, col E, p. 11.
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/86.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/39.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/18.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Charles W. Dickinson |
Captain of H.M.S. Fearless 15 Aug, 1893[13] |
Succeeded by Charles E. Gladstone |
| Preceded by George A. Primrose |
Captain of H.M.S. Osborne 26 Oct, 1896[14][15] – 27 Dec, 1900[16] |
Succeeded by Charles E. Anson |
| Preceded by George M. Henderson |
Captain of H.M.S. Isis 28 Dec, 1900[17] – 18 Jan, 1902[18] |
Succeeded by Godfrey H. B. Mundy |
| Preceded by William S. Rees |
Captain of H.M.S. Amphitrite 21 Mar, 1902[19] – 11 Aug, 1905[20] |
Succeeded by Cecil S. Hickley |
Footnotes
- ↑ "Naval And Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Wednesday, Dec 14, 1864; pg. 10; Issue 25055.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 24082. p. 1923. 31 March, 1874.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25837. p. 3826. 13 July, 1888.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 12 June, 1891. Issue 33349, col C, p. 8.
- ↑ Windham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1411.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26585. p. 7. 1 January, 1895.
- ↑ Lowis. p. 197.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27292. p. 1648. 8 March, 1901.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27861. p. 8812. 8 December, 1905.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28258. p. 4386. 8 June, 1909.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28400. p. 5396. 26 July, 1910.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28726. p. 3992. 6 June, 1913.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1894). p. 219.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1898). p. 275.
- ↑ Windham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 348.
- ↑ Windham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 348.
- ↑ Windham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 348.
- ↑ Windham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 348.
- ↑ Windham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 348.
- ↑ Windham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 348.
