Edward Astley Astley-Rushton

Vice-Admiral Edward Astley Astley-Rushton, C.B., C.M.G., Royal Navy (4 September, 1879 – 18 July, 1935) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

He was named Edward Astley Rushton before changing his name by poll deed on 26 June, 1917.

Life & Career

Born in Lancashire the son of a Barrister-at-Law, Rushton was appointed to the battleship Repulse in the Channel Squadron upon passing out of Britannia in August, 1895.

Rushton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 February, 1900.

Rushton was promoted to Commander on 31 December, 1910.

He was appointed to the Southampton on 26 June, 1913. On 17 June, 1916, he was made Acting Captain in Southampton, being promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1916 and superseded in command on 8 August.

He was appointed in command of the light cruiser H.M.A.S. Melbourne on 14 December, 1916.

On 1 February, 1919, Astley-Rushton was appointed Deputy Director of Training and Staff Duties.

In April 1919, he was appointed in command of the light cruiser Canterbury.

He was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) on 21 June:

For valuable services as Second in Command of H.M.S. "Southampton," and later as Commanding Officer of H.M.A.S. "Melbourne," in the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron.

In October 1925, he was appointed in command of Malaya.

On the occasion of the King's birthday Astley-Rushton was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 3 June, 1927. He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 3 August, vice Longden.

Astley-Rushton was promoted to Vice-Admiral on 2 July, 1932. He died in a motor car accident.

Bibliography

• "Vice-Admiral Astley-Rushton" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 20 July, 1935. Issue 47121, col B, p. 17.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/142.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/125.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/90.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/45.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Herbert W. W. Hope	Captain of H.M.S. Kite 15 Jul, 1909 – 1 Mar, 1911	Succeeded by Geoffrey Blake
Preceded by William E. Goodenough	Captain of H.M.S. Southampton 17 Jun, 1916 – 8 Aug, 1916	Succeeded by William E. Goodenough
Preceded by William E. Goodenough	Captain of H.M.A.S. Melbourne 14 Dec, 1916 – 1 Feb, 1919	Succeeded by Reginald J. N. Watson
Preceded by Guy P. Bigg-Wither	Deputy Director of Training and Staff Duties 1 Feb, 1919 – 8 Feb, 1921	Succeeded by Charles A. Scott
Preceded by Graham R. L. Edwards	Captain of H.M.S. Canterbury 31 Mar, 1921 – c. Apr, 1922	Succeeded by Robert A. Rice
Preceded by George N. Tomlin	Captain of H.M.S. Malaya 15 Oct, 1925 – Mar, 1927	Succeeded by Cecil V. Usborne
Preceded by Rudolf M. Burmester	Director of the Mobilisation Department 18 Dec, 1928 – 18 Dec, 1930	Succeeded by Reginald A. R. Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax as Director of the Manning Department
Preceded by The Hon. Matthew R. Best	Rear-Admiral Commanding, Second Cruiser Squadron 27 Apr, 1931 – 15 Dec, 1932	Succeeded by Percy L. H. Noble
Preceded by William M. Kerr	Vice-Admiral Commanding, Reserve Fleet 24 Apr, 1934 – 18 Jul, 1935	Succeeded by Gerald C. Dickens