Richard Purefoy FitzGerald Purefoy

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Admiral Richard Purefoy FitzGerald Purefoy, C.B.E., M.V.O., Royal Navy, Retired (26 May, 1862 – 19 December, 1943) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Early Life & Career

Richard Purefoy FitzGerald was born on 26 May, 1862, the eldest son of Mr. Richard Purefoy, of North Hall, Preston Candover, Hants., and Henrietta Mary, only child of the Reverend Anthony Chester, of Chicheley, Bucks.

FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1884.[1]

FitzGerald was appointed to the Victory to act as Flag Lieutenant to the Board of Admiralty for the Spithead naval review, dated 26 June, 1897.[2]

FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Commander on 22 June, 1897.[3]

Captain

FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Captain [from the Royal Yacht] on 11 April, 1902.[4] He was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 2 May.[5]

He assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Royal Arthur in January 1903.[6]

On 21 December, 1906, he was appointed in command of Black Prince.[7]

FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 30 January, 1912, vice Story.[8]

Great War

On 12 August, 1914, Purefoy was appointed to take charge of Loch Ewe as a secondary coaling base for the Grand Fleet, flying his flag in the Assistance.[9][10]

Retirement

In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, Purefoy was placed on the Retired List on 15 February, 1916.[11] On the same day he was appointed naval attaché to The Hague.[12] He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 2 July, 1917.[13] Having been succeeded at The Hague on 28 December of that year,[14] on 27 April, 1918, he was given command of the Discoverer,[15] uniquely without being given a lower rank in the Royal Naval Reserve. For his service in command of Discoverer he was appointed a Commander of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) on 27 May, 1919.[16] He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired list on 7 October, 1920.[17]

Bibliography

  • "Admiral R. P. F. Purefoy" (Obituaries). The Times. Thursday, 23 December, 1943. Issue 49736, col D, p. 7.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Thomas P. Walker
Captain of H.M.S. Royal Arthur
17 Jan, 1903[18] – 30 Jun, 1904[19]
Succeeded by
A. Gordon H. W. Moore
Preceded by
W. Lowther Grant
Naval Adviser to the Army Council
19 Nov, 1904[20]
Succeeded by
David Beatty
Preceded by
Bernard Currey
Captain of H.M.S. Black Prince
21 Dec, 1906[21][22] – 4 Jan, 1909[23]
Succeeded by
Ernest G. Barton
Preceded by
Julian C. A. Wilkinson
Assistant to Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves
5 Mar, 1909[24] – 27 Mar, 1911[25]
Succeeded by
Mark E. F. Kerr
Preceded by
Mark E. F. Kerr
Captain of H.M.S. Invincible
28 Mar, 1911[26][27] – 8 Jan, 1912[28]
Succeeded by
Henry J. L. Clarke
Preceded by
Edward H. Moubray
Captain of H.M.S. Columbine
12 Aug, 1914[29] – 3 Mar, 1915[30]
Succeeded by
Charles A. Fountaine
Preceded by
?
Royal Navy Naval Attaché at The Hague
15 Feb, 1916[31] – 16 Feb, 1918[32]
Succeeded by
Henry C. R. Brocklebank

 

Footnotes

  1. The London Gazette: no. 25432. p. 185. 13 January, 1885.
  2. "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 17 June, 1897. Issue 35232, col C, p. 9.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 26865. p. 3443. 22 June, 1897.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 27424. p. 2420. 11 April, 1902.
  5. The London Gazette: no. 27430. p. 2933. 2 May, 1902.
  6. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  7. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 10 November, 1906. Issue 38174, col B, p. 13.
  8. The London Gazette: no. 28577. p. 800. 2 February, 1912.
  9. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 3.
  10. Jellicoe. The Grand Fleet. p. 96.
  11. The London Gazette: no. 29478. p. 1805. 18 February, 1916.
  12. The Navy List. (October, 1917). p. 535a.
  13. The London Gazette: no. 30161. p. 6550. 3 July, 1917.
  14. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 1817a.
  15. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 991.
  16. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31360. p. 6503. 27 May, 1919.
  17. The London Gazette: no. 32081. p. 9891. 12 October, 1920.
  18. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  19. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  20. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20/317.
  21. The Navy List. (October, 1908). p. 284.
  22. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  23. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  24. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 107.
  25. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  26. Roberts. Battlecruisers. p. 122.
  27. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  28. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  29. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  30. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  31. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.
  32. Purefoy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 617.