Henry Bradwardine Jackson

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry B. Jackson.

Admiral of the Fleet SIR Henry Bradwardine Jackson, G.C.B., K.C.V.O., F.R.S., Royal Navy (21 January, 1855 – 14 December, 1929) was an officer of the Royal Navy and a pioneer in Wireless Telegraphy.

Onset of war

Apparently Jackson was opposed to the continuing escalation of the size of capital ships, telling Admiral Sir George F. King-Hall at the beginning of 1914 that, "He agreed with me that Battleships were getting too big and he had set his face against the 15" guns most determinedly." He was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 10 February, 1914, vice King-Hall. In July, 1914 it was announced that Jackson would succeed Admiral Sir Berkeley Milne as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet on 10 December. However, when war broke out he was retained for special service at the Admiralty. He was president of the subcommittee of the Committee of Imperial Defence dealing with overseas attack and largely concerned with planning attacks on the German colonies. In October, 1914, the First Sea Lord Prince Louis of Battenberg had been forced to resign following the agitation over his German birth. At an audience on 27 October, King George V mentioned to Churchill Jackson's name as a replacement, but the First Lord replied that "while admitting", in the words of Lord Stamfordham, "his scientific and intellectual capacity [Churchill] did not think he would do." Halpern's explanation that "Jackson no doubt appeared too bland and mild" is inadequate. It is clear that at the time neither Churchill or Asquith would accept anyone other than Fisher as Battenberg's replacement.

Later Years & Reputation

Jackson left the Admiralty to become President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich where he remained until July, 1919. On 2 April, 1917 he succeeded Sir George Callaghan as First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King. In 1919 he was created a G.C.B. On 31 July, 1919, he was promoted Admiral of the Fleet in place of Sir William May, placed on the Retired List. In 1920 he was appointed chairman of the Radio Research Board. On 31 July, 1924 Jackson was placed on the Retired List. He remained active with scientific societies such as the Institution of Electrical Engineers. He was also a vice-president of the Institution of Naval Architects and vice-president of the Seamen's Hospital Society. He was awarded honorary degrees: D.S.C.s from Oxford and Leeds and an L.L.D. from Cambridge. He was also awarded Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and French decorations. Jackson died on 14 December, 1929 at his home, Salterns, on Hayling Island, Hampshire, his wife surviving him. He was buried on 17 December in Hayling Island parish churchyard.

Bibliography

• "Admiral of the Fleet Sir H. B. Jackson" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 16 December, 1929. Issue 45387, col A, pg. 19.
• Murfett, Malcolm H. (1995). Murfett, Malcolm H.. ed. The First Sea Lords: From Fisher to Mountbatten. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0-275-94231-7.

Papers

• Papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/38.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/19.

Naval Offices
Preceded by George Le C. Egerton	Assistant Director of Torpedoes 1902 – 1903	Succeeded by The Hon. Alexander E. Bethell
Preceded by Sir William H. May	Third Sea Lord and Controller 1905 – 1908	Succeeded by Sir John R. Jellicoe
Preceded by Lewis Bayly	President of the Royal Naval War College 1911 – 1913	Succeeded by The Hon. Sir Alexander E. Bethell
Preceded by Ernest C. T. Troubridge	Chief of the Admiralty War Staff 1913 – 1914	Succeeded by Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee
Preceded by The Lord Fisher	First Sea Lord 1915 – 1916	Succeeded by Sir John R. Jellicoe
Preceded by Position Vacant	President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich 1916 – 1919	Succeeded by Sir William C. Pakenham
Preceded by Sir George A. Callaghan	First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp 1917 – 1919	Succeeded by The Hon. Sir Stanley C. J. Colville