George Ronald Beddard Blount

Vice-Admiral George Ronald Beddard Blount, D.S.O., R.N., Retired (8 October, 1877 – ?) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Blount was born in Kent on 8 October, 1877, son of G. B. Blount, Esquire.

Blount was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 September, 1899. After some miscellaneous sea appointments, he was sent to Excellent to qualify in gunnery in October, 1900. The first of many gunnery officer postings that would dot his career was in Montagu in the Channel Fleet, from 2 May, 1905 to 20 August, 1906. In January, 1907 he was appointed gunnery officer in Majestic, and a month later as gunnery and first officer in Albion, where he would remain until August, 1909.

Requalifying at Excellent, he was to move his work into support of T.B.D. flotilla work, as first and gunnery in Leander from 9 December, 1909 until 15 February, 1910 when he moved to Sapphire. Leaving Sapphire on 1 May, 1912, he returned to Leander, this time working with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla. He was superseded on 31 July, 1912 having been recently promoted to Commander on 30 June.

Blount married Cecilia Frances Hore on 5 December, 1912 in East Farleigh Parish Church, Kent.

On 25 September, 1915, Blount was temporarily appointed in command of the monitor Lord Clive in place of the ailing Norman Hunter Carter, who was trending toward neurasthenia following a wound receive in action on 8 September. As things turned out, Carter never returned to the monitor and Blount left her on 16 November for an appointment on the Staff of Vice-Admiral, Dover.

Blount quit his staff work when he was appointed in command of the monitor Marshal Soult on 21 February, 1917. Blount was promoted to Captain on 30 June, 1917.

Blount was appointed from Marshal Soult to take command the battleship Commonwealth on 1 November, 1918. He was discharged after 23 months, on 30 September 1920.

Post-War

He was appointed in command of Ramillies in August 1926 before moving over to command Barham in February 1928, remaining with her for seven months.

Blount was promoted to Rear-Admiral on 7 April, 1928 and placed on the Retired List at his own request the following day.

Blount was advanced to Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 2 January, 1933.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/142.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/125.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/90.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/44.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Norman H. Carter	Captain of H.M.S. Lord Clive 25 Sep, 1915 – 16 Nov, 1915	Succeeded by Bernard St. G. Collard
Preceded by William D. Paton	Captain of H.M.S. Marshal Soult 21 Feb, 1917 – 1 Nov, 1918	Succeeded by Arthur D. Barrow
Preceded by Arthur G. Smith	Captain of H.M.S. Commonwealth 1 Nov, 1918 – 30 Sep, 1920	Succeeded by Alfred A. Ellison
Preceded by George V. W. Carey	Captain of Devonport Gunnery School 30 Nov, 1920 – 31 May, 1923	Succeeded by William F. Sells
Preceded by Ernest Wigram	Captain of H.M.S. Ramillies 10 Aug, 1926 – 1928	Succeeded by Hubert S. Monroe
Preceded by Hubert S. Monroe	Captain of H.M.S. Barham Feb, 1928 – 1 Sep, 1928	Succeeded by James F. Somerville