Jellicoe:Command and China

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The Life of Admiral of the Fleet
John Rushworth Jellicoe,
First Earl Jellicoe
5 December, 1869 – 20 November, 1935
Jellicoe, 1920.JPG
Chapters
Background and Early Life • Service as Lieutenant • Commander • Command and China • Director of Naval Ordnance • Flag Rank and Controller • Sea Service and Second Sea Lord • Command of the Grand Fleet • The War at Sea, 1914-1916 • The Battle of Jutland • After Jutland • First Sea Lord and the Submarine Menace • Controversy and Dismissal • Empire Tour • Governor-General of New Zealand • The Jutland Controversy • Retirement • Death and Legacy

Jellicoe was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1897.[1]

He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Division, or Companion, of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 9 November, 1900, "in recognition of services rendered during the recent disturbance in China."[2]

Jellicoe paid off Centurion on 19 September, 1901. On 8 November he was appointed to President for service at the Admiralty as Naval Assistant to the Controller. His salary was fixed at £950 per annum.

Admiralty & Marriage

I had then been much attracted by Gwendoline the second daughter who was just out. During my visits to Glasgow in 1901 and 1902 to supervise the ships building by contract I stayed frequently at Rolston and became more in touch with the family. In the early part of the year 1902, I accompanied them on board a new ship of the Clan Line, the Clan [name not given] for her steam trials, and when skylarking with the boys, sprained my knee rather badly, with the result that I had to stay for a week at Rolston before I could travel. During this week I came to the conclusion that my future happiness depended on my persuading Gwendoline to marry me. I proposed on February 9th and to my joy was accepted.[3]

On 8 March he received his China War Medal from King Edward VII at Plymouth.[4][5]

Jellicoe and Gwendoline Cayzer were married at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, London, in the afternoon of 1 July. The Reverend F. G. G. Jellicoe, of Alverstoke, Hants., his brother, officiated. George Aston, now a Lieutenant-Colonel, and also a Companion of the Bath, was best man. Prince Henry of Prussia sent sent Captain Coerper of the Imperial German Navy to represent him.[6]

He returned to sea on 12 August, 1903, in command of the armoured cruiser Drake. On 31 October he was appointed a "member of a Committee to enquire into causes of flooding compartments of Prince George other than those injured by collision with Hannibal." Drake was inspected by Rear-Admiral Wilmot H. Fawkes in October, 1904, who noted of Jellicoe, "Has great zeal & ability & a thorough knowledge of his profession. He has shown in leading the lee line that he will handle a squadron well. I believe his constitution is sound but long hours tire him."[7]

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26809. p. 3. 1 January, 1897.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27245. p. 6853. 9 November, 1900.
  3. ↑ Add. Mss. 49038. f. 51.
  4. ↑ Medal No. 2650. The National Archives. ADM 171/55.
  5. ↑ "The King and Queen in Devon" (News). The Times. Monday, 10 March, 1902. Issue 36711, col A, p. 10.
  6. ↑ "Court and Social" (Court and Social). The Times. Wednesday, 2 July, 1902. Issue 36809, col B, p. 10.
  7. ↑ Jellicoe Service Record. ADM 196/87. f. 27.

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