Henry Wise Parker

Admiral Henry Wise Parker, C.B., C.M.G., Royal Navy (15 June, 1875 – 1 August, 1940) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Surrey, Parker listed his mother as his guardian upon joining the Navy in July, 1889.

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 October, 1897.

In March 1904 while serving as first officer in the screw sloop Alert, he was thanked for inventing an electric firing key for quick-firing guns.

On 30 June, 1908, Parker was promoted to the rank of Commander.

In 14 February 1911, he was appointed to the battlecruiser Indomitable as executive officer. On 12 September, he moved to the battlecruiser Lion, probably also as executive officer. He would remain in her through 7 December, 1914, being promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1914.

Great War

After serving as captain of Hecla, which was at that time the depot ship of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla at Scapa Flow, he was appointed in command of Benbow as flag captain of the Fourth Battle Squadron. He was serving in this capacity when he fought at the Battle of Jutland. In June, he transferred to H.M.S. Hercules where he continued as flag captain until 12 February, 1918.

On 15 September, 1916 he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) dated 31 May.

Parker was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 1 January, 1925, vice Dent.

Parker was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 28 February, 1934.

Bibliography

• "Admiral H. W. Parker" (Obituaries). The Times. Friday, 2 August, 1940. Issue 48684, col C, pg. 7.

Service Records

• Service Records

See Also

• H.M.S. Benbow at the Battle of Jutland

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Bertram S. Evans	Captain of H.M. T.B. 66 8 Jul, 1896 – 18 Aug, 1896	Succeeded by Andrew W. Kerr
Preceded by William H. D. Boyle	Captain of H.M.S. Haughty 14 Jul, 1904	Succeeded by Charles L. Brendon
Preceded by John E. Cameron	Captain of H.M.S. Hecla 2 Jan, 1915 – Sep, 1915[Fact Check]	Succeeded by Sandford G. R. Nevile
Preceded by James A. Fergusson	Captain of H.M.S. Benbow 24 Aug, 1915 – Jun, 1916	Succeeded by Lewis Clinton-Baker
Preceded by Lewis Clinton-Baker	Captain of H.M.S. Hercules Jun, 1916 – 12 Feb, 1918	Succeeded by Alexander Lowndes
Preceded by New Command	Captain of the Fleet, Atlantic Fleet 8 Apr, 1919 – 1 Aug, 1921	Succeeded by Eric J. A. Fullerton
Preceded by Hubert G. Brand as Captain of the Fleet, Grand Fleet	Captain of the Fleet, Atlantic and Home Fleets 8 Apr, 1919 – 1 Aug, 1921	Succeeded by Ronald W. Oldham as Captain of the Fleet, Home Fleet
Preceded by John D. Kelly	Director of Operations Division 15 Feb, 1922 – 21 Nov, 1923	Succeeded by Wilfred Tomkinson
Preceded by Frederic C. Dreyer	Captain of H.M.S. Repulse 21 Nov, 1923 – 31 Dec, 1924	Succeeded by Herbert W. W. Hope
Preceded by Arthur A. M. Duff	Director of Naval Equipment 17 May, 1926 – 17 May, 1928	Succeeded by Joseph C. W. Henley
Preceded by The Hon. William H. D. Boyle	Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron 10 Sep, 1928 – 10 Apr, 1930	Succeeded by Joseph C. W. Henley
Preceded by John Donald Kelly	Admiral Commanding Reserves 4 Aug, 1931 – 28 Feb, 1934	Succeeded by George K. Chetwode