Robert Neale Lawson
Rear-Admiral Robert Neale Lawson, C.B., Royal Navy, Retired (8 March, 1873 – 11 August, 1945) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Robert Neale Lawson was born on 8 March, 1873, the son of the Reverend R. Lawson.
He was made a Lieutenant in October, 1894 and promoted to Commander on 30 June, 1905.[1]
Captain
He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1912, aged thirty-nine.[2]
On 9 May, 1913, he became Flag Captain to Admiral Callaghan in Neptune,[3] and transferred to Iron Duke on 10 March, 1914, when that ship became flagship of the Home Fleets. After Callaghan's supersession on 4 August, he served as Flag Captain to Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe. He was relieved by Captain Frederic C. Dreyer, who was five years younger than he, on 24 October, 1915 and was immediately placed in command of the light cruiser Chester.
Jellicoe had informed the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Henry B. Jackson, on 30 September, 1915, that he wanted Dreyer to replace Lawson:
But I can't make the move till Lawson has a suitable appointment. His one desire is to be at sea, & for this no one in the Service is better fitted. I do hope a light cruiser can be found for him. Will you help me in this. Now the change is decided, the sooner it is made the better, but it would be most unfair to Lawson to do it till he has another command in sight. His war experience should not be thrown away. It is unique.[4]
Lawson remained in command of Chester through the end of the war, enduring a hail of fire while screening the detached Third Battle Cruiser Squadron at the Battle of Jutland.
On 1 January, 1918, Lawson was appointed second in command of the Third Light Cruiser Squadron.[5]
On the occasion of the King's birthday 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.) on 3 June, 1918.[6]
Lawson was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 4 August, 1919.[7] He was advanced to the rank of Rear-Admiral on the Retired List on 15 January, 1923.[8]
Service Record
- The National Archives. ADM 196/141.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/89.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/43.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Allan F. Everett |
Captain of H.M.S. Neptune 9 May, 1913[9] – 10 Mar, 1914[10] |
Succeeded by Allen T. Hunt |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. Iron Duke 10 Mar, 1914[11][12] – 24 Oct, 1915[13] |
Succeeded by Frederic C. Dreyer |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. Chester 24 Oct, 1915[14][15] – 16 Jan, 1919[16] |
Succeeded by John C. H. Lindsay |
Footnotes
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Monday, 12 May, 1913. Issue 40209, col B, p. 3.
- ↑ Jellicoe to Jackson. Letter of 30 September, 1915. National Museum of the Royal Navy. Jackson Papers. MSS 255/4/25.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30723. p. 6527. 3 June, 1918.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 339.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 757.
- ↑ Lawson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 338.
- ↑ Successor assumed command that day.
