Henry Edward Horan

Rear-Admiral Henry Edward Horan, C.B., D.S.C., R.N. (12 August, 1890 – 1961) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Horan was born in Limerick. Although his service record states that he was part of the January, 1906 term at Britannia, he likely entered Royal Naval College, Dartmouth directly – part of the Royal Navy's transition from training new cadets in H.M.S. Britannia as the new scheme was being primed.^{[Fact Check]}

Horan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 July, 1911.

Great War

Horan was appointed to the Laforey Class destroyer Liberty as first officer on 15 April, 1914. He would fight in her at the Battle of Helgoland Bight and assume command of the ship when the captain, Lieutenant-Commander Barttelot was killed in action.

Horan was appointed Lieutenant in Command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 29 on 14 December, 1914. He would remain in command until July, 1916. On 9 October, 1916, he was appointed in command of the destroyer Archer.

Horan married on 27 November, 1916. The union would produce a daughter in 1918.

Horan was appointed in command of the destroyer Wessex on 31 August, 1918.

Post-War

Horan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 July, 1919.

Horan was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1924.

Horan was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1930.

Rear-Admiral A. B. Cunningham wrote that "[b]eing Irish, [Horan] has most of the traits usually attributed to that race." Admiral W. W. Fisher concurred with this categorical assessment.

In July, 1937, Horan was appointed in command of the battleship Barham.

World War II

Horan was loaned to the New Zealand Naval Forces on 22 April, 1938 as Chief of the Naval Staff and First Naval Member. Horan was given command of the light cruiser H.M.S. Leander on 1 January, 1940. When Leander left the New Zealand Station for detached service, Commodore Horan reverted to the rank of Captain and relinquished his roles as Chief of the Naval Staff and First Naval Member, and Commodore Commanding New Zealand Squadron on 1 May, 1940.

Horan received a remarkably caustic evaluation from Rear Admiral Murray in the December 1940, in which Murray wrote that Horan "[h]andles ship well and is always on the bridge on alert. Cannot think coherently or develop or respond to an argument. I do not understand how he was selected for an I.D.C. course. One of the jovial type and a gross flatterer until curbed. This may have biassed me against him." This was matched with one from Rear-Admiral Leatham that read, "Captain Horan does not impress me favourably. He is conceited and "plays to the gallery" – not recommended for employment as a Flag Officer."

Seemingly in reflection of this scathing appraisal, Horan was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 8 July, 1941 and was placed on the Retired List the following day. Horan would, however, serve as Rear-Admiral, Landing Craft & Bases from December 1941 until 1943 when he was appointed as Rear Admiral Commanding Combined Operational Bases, Western Approaches and Rosyth Commands.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Nigel K. W. Barttelot	Captain of H.M.S. Liberty 28 Aug, 1914 – 30 Aug, 1914	Succeeded by Reginald B. C. Hutchinson
Preceded by Geoffry B. Smith	Captain of H.M. T.B. 29 14 Dec, 1914 – 13 Jul, 1916	Succeeded by Maxwell A. C. Ritter
Preceded by Bryan F. Adams	Captain of H.M.S. Archer 9 Oct, 1916 – 28 May, 1917	Succeeded by Basil A. Taylor
Preceded by Charles A. Fremantle	Captain of H.M.S. Nereus 28 May, 1917 – 13 Oct, 1917	Succeeded by Guy P. Bowles
Preceded by Aubrey T. Tillard	Captain of H.M.S. Wessex 31 Aug, 1918 – 27 Sep, 1920	Succeeded by Daniel H. Rainier
Preceded by Francis H. G. Walker	Captain of H.M.S. Wolsey 10 Nov, 1922 – Feb, 1924	Succeeded by John E. Phayre
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Whitehall 23 Mar, 1924 – 9 Aug, 1924	Succeeded by Frederick A. P. Foster
Preceded by Edward L. S. King	Captain of H.M.S. Coventry 28 Nov, 1931 – after Jun, 1934	Succeeded by Cyril A. H. Brooking
Preceded by Norman A. Wodehouse	Captain of H.M.S. Barham 28 Jul, 1937 – 21 Apr, 1938	Succeeded by Algernon U. Willis
Preceded by James W. Rivett-Carnac	Commander, New Zealand Station Dec, 1939 – Apr, 1940	Succeeded by William E. Parry
Preceded by James W. Rivett-Carnac	Captain of H.M.N.Z.S. Leander 1 Jan, 1940 – 28 Nov, 1940	Succeeded by Robert H. Bevan