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[[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] {{SIR}} '''Charles Morton Forbes''', G.C.B., D.S.O., Royal Navy ([[22 November]], [[1880]] – [[28 August]], [[1960]]) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].
[[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] {{SIR}} '''Charles Morton Forbes''', G.C.B., K.C.B., D.S.O., Royal Navy (22 November, 1880 – 28 August, 1960) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].


==Early Life & Career==
==Early Life & Career==
Forbes was born at Colombo 22 November 1880, the second son of James Forbes, broker, and his wife, Caroline Delmege. Educated at Dollar Academy and Eastman's, Southsea, he joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in the Britannia in 1894. On passing out two years later he obtained five first class certificates and gained twelve months' seniority. After serving in the flagships of the Channel and Pacific fleets he was promoted lieutenant in 1901 and in the following year became a specialist in gunnery. For the next eleven years he served as gunnery officer in various cruisers and battleships, and at the gunnery schools, until his promotion to commander in 1912, at which time he was serving as first lieutenant and gunnery officer of the battleship Superb in the Home Fleet.
As a Lieutenant, in {{UK-Aboukir}} from April, 1902 to August, 1902.


Soon after the outbreak of war in 1914 Forbes was appointed to the newly commissioned battleship Queen Elizabeth which bombarded the Gallipoli forts in the initial attack on the Dardanelles in 1915. Later in the same year he joined the staff of Sir John (later Earl) Jellicoe [q.v.] , commander-in-chief of the Grand Fleet, as flag commander in the Iron Duke. He was present at the battle of Jutland and was appointed to the D.S.O. After Sir David (later Earl) Beatty [q.v.] succeeded to the command of the fleet in 1916 Forbes was appointed to the staff of the second-in-command, Sir Charles Madden [q.v.] , where he continued in the same duties until his promotion to captain in 1917. He was then appointed to the command of the cruiser Galatea, in which he was present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in November 1918. He thus served afloat throughout the whole war and shortly before its end he was awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislaus.
Gunnery officer in {{UK-Carnarvon}} from 29 May, 1905 to 16 February, 1908.


Thereafter, Forbes's Service life alternated between appointments at the Admiralty and Naval Staff College and in one of the two main fleets—Home or Mediterranean. His first Admiralty appointment was as naval member of the Ordnance Committee in 1919, to which duty he returned in 1925–8 as director of naval ordnance. On the staff side, he was deputy director of the Naval Staff College at Greenwich from 1921 to 1923. The remainder of his service in the rank of captain was spent in sea-going appointments, first as flag captain to the commander-in-chief, Atlantic Fleet, Sir John De Robeck [q.v.] , in the Queen Elizabeth, and secondly as flag captain to the second-in-command, Mediterranean Fleet, (Sir) H. D. R. Watson, in the Iron Duke.
Appointed to {{UK-Superb}} as first and gunnery officer on 11 February, 1911.


Forbes was promoted rear-admiral in 1928 and in 1930–31 commanded the destroyer flotillas of the Mediterranean Fleet. He then returned to the Admiralty as third sea lord and controller—an appointment generally recognized as one calling for exceptional qualities of technical knowledge and ability in committee. He was promoted vice-admiral in 1933.
At the [[Battle of Jutland]], he was in {{UK-IronDuke}}, serving as Flag Commander to Admiral Jellicoe.


In 1934 Forbes was again appointed to the Mediterranean, as vice-admiral commanding the first battle squadron, and second-in-command, Mediterranean Fleet; it was during this period of his service that the Abyssinian crisis occurred and a period of such strained relations with Italy that in preparation for hostilities the fleet transferred from Malta to Alexandria. In 1935 Forbes was appointed K.C.B. and in 1936 promoted admiral.
On 15 September he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) for his services at Jutland.{{GazSup|29751|9071|15 September, 1916}}


In April 1938 he was appointed commander-in-chief, Home Fleet, with his flag in Nelson, at a time of increasing international tension culminating in the outbreak of war in September 1939. The fleet was ready but the bases were not, and Forbes had the anxiety and responsibility of maintaining constant vigil and readiness for action with bases lacking anti-aircraft defence or anti-submarine protection. Their vulnerability was quickly demonstrated by a German air attack on Rosyth on 16 October, the sinking of the Royal Oak by a U-boat which penetrated Scapa Flow on 14 October, and the damage sustained by the flagship Nelson herself in December from a mine laid by a U-boat in Loch Ewe. Nevertheless, under Forbes's capable command, the fleet carried out its duty successfully during those testing months of 1939 and 1940 when the full effects of mass air power in modern war were being learnt the hard way. Opportunities for offensive action were few, but they came with the German invasion of Norway in April 1940, and with it the successful destroyer battles of Narvik. But this campaign also included the ill-fated military expedition for the defence of Norway, which started too late to be effective, and after only two months had to be withdrawn, after considerable loss. During these operations, Forbes's temporary flagship, Rodney, was damaged by air attack. The fleet suffered a number of losses, the principal ones being the aircraft carrier Glorious and nine destroyers; the German losses and damage were very much greater. It was this fact which rightly convinced Forbes that they would not attempt a seaborne invasion of England that year in the face of the over-whelming superiority of the British Fleet and the failure of the German air force to defeat the R.A.F.
He served as captain of {{UK-QueenElizabeth}} from June 1923, then of {{UK-IronDuke}} from October 1924 until April 1925.


In December 1940, seven months after being promoted admiral of the fleet and G.C.B., Forbes was succeeded in the command of the Home Fleet by Sir John (later Lord) Tovey, and in May 1941 he was appointed commander-in-chief, Plymouth, which the enemy was then making a target for most savage air attacks. Nevertheless, the operational work of the command was prosecuted with vigour by the cruisers, light forces, and coastal craft under Forbes's orders. Chief among these were the many successful attacks in co-operation with Coastal Command on U-boats leaving and returning to their base at Brest; the interception of enemy armed merchant vessel raiders trying to get back to Germany; and raids on the enemy destroyers and shipping passing along the French coast. The gallant and successful attack on St. Nazaire was also mounted.
Forbes was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1917.  He was appointed in command of the {{UK-1Galatea|f=t}} on 10 July, 1917, remaining with her through the end of the war.{{NLFeb19|p. 798}}


During the final months of his command preparation for the reception and disposition of the American naval and military forces who would take part in the invasion of France in 1944 was well advanced, but Forbes's period of command terminated before their arrival. His flag was hauled down for the last time 24 August 1943.
Forbes was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V on 7 April, 1928, vice Reinold.{{Gaz|33376|2741|17 April, 1928}}


An officer of great experience of the world and of men, Forbes was a master of his profession and had the very great faculty of recognizing instantly all the factors in any problem with which he was faced, and in grappling competently with all difficulties. No man ever saw him rattled: he had full confidence in himself and he inspired it in those under him. His reserves of power, clear vision, sound judgement, and strong sense of proportion were a tower of strength to those who, working under him, shared his burdens though not his responsibilities. Modest and unassuming in demeanour, and with an attractive, dry sense of humour, he never feared to speak his mind, even though in conflict with the views of his superiors.
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*"Sir Charles M. Forbes" (Obituaries). ''The Times''. Tuesday, 30 August, 1960.  Issue '''54863''', col F, pg. 15.
{{refend}}


In his younger days he was fond of horses and hunting. He was also a keen golfer and played on several occasions in the ‘Admirals v. Generals’ match. He was most generous in his hospitality, and never failed to impress by the courtly grace and charm with which he habitually welcomed his guests.
==Service Records==
{{refbegin}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/45.|D7603467}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/90.|D8115858}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/125.|D8119416}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/142.|D8121540}}
{{refend}}


After relinquishing his last appointment he returned to live at his home, Cawsand Place, Wentworth, Surrey. From 1946 until shortly before his death Forbes was a member of the councils of the Association of Retired Naval Officers and the National Association for the Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen, in whose work he was keenly interested. He died in London 28 August 1960.
==See Also==
{{refbegin}}
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Forbes_(Royal_Navy_officer)}}
* [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/N13680500 Forbes Papers At British Library]
{{refend}}


He was twice married: first, in 1909, to Agnes Millicent (died 1915), younger daughter of J. A. Ewen, J.P., of Potters Bar, by whom he had one daughter and one son; and secondly, in 1921, to Marie Louise, daughter of Axel Berndtson, of Stockholm, by whom he had one daughter.
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert William Francis Travers|Robert W. F. Travers]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Leopard (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Leopard'']]'''<br>21 Jul, 1903<ref>"APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NAVAL MANOEUVRES."  ''The Times'' (London, England), Thursday, Jul 16, 1903; pg. 8; Issue 37134.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Archibald Campbell Goolden|Archibald C. Goolden]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Allan Gregory|John A. Gregory]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Quail (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Quail'']]'''<br>14 Jul, 1904{{ToL|Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres|Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Francis Benwell|William F. Benwell]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ernest Kindersley Loring|Ernest K. Loring]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Galatea (1914)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Galatea'']]'''<br>10 Jul, 1917{{NLFeb19|p. 798}} &ndash; 1919|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Eric Valentine Frederick Radclyffe Dugmore|Eric V. F. R. Dugmore]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Geoffrey Blake|Geoffrey Blake]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth (1913)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Queen Elizabeth'']]'''<br>28 Jun, 1923<ref>Forbes Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|}}  f. 130.</ref> &ndash; Oct, 1924{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frank Forester Rose|Frank F. Rose]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frank Forester Rose|Frank F. Rose]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Iron Duke (1912)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Iron Duke'']]'''<br>25 Oct, 1924{{NLApr25|p. 248}} &ndash; Apr, 1925<ref>Forbes Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|}}  f. 130.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Joseph Charles Walrond Henley|Joseph C. W. Henley]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Brandreth Scott Dutton|Arthur B. S. Dutton]]'''|'''[[Mediterranean Station|Rear Admiral (D) Commanding Destroyer Flotillas, Mediterranean]]'''<br>1 Aug, 1930<ref>Forbes Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|D8115858}} f. 130.</ref> &ndash; 20 Nov, 1931<ref>Forbes Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|D8115858}} f. 130.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frank Forester Rose|Frank F. Rose]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Roger Roland Charles Backhouse|Roger R. C. Backhouse]]'''|'''[[Third Sea Lord|Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy]]'''<br>1 Mar, 1932<ref>"The Services" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 1 March, 1932.  Issue '''46010''', col F, p. 10.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Guy Hannam Henderson|Sir Reginald G. H. Henderson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Wordsworth Fisher|William W. Fisher]]'''|'''[[First Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Squadron]]'''<br>25 Apr, 1934<ref>Forbes Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|D8115858}} f. 130.</ref> &ndash; 25 Jul, 1936<ref>Forbes Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|D8115858}} f. 130.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Geoffrey Layton|Geoffrey Layton]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Michael Henry Hodges|Michael H. Hodges]]'''|'''[[Mediterranean Station|Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Station]]'''<br>21 May, 1934<ref>Forbes Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|D8115858}} f. 130.  Year MAY be 1936.</ref> &ndash; 25 Jul, 1936<ref>Forbes Service Record {{TNA|ADM 196/90.|D8115858}} f. 130.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Francis Pridham|Arthur F. Pridham]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Martin Eric Dunbar-Nasmith|Martin E. Dunbar-Nasmith]]'''|'''[[Plymouth Station|Commander in Chief, Plymouth Station]]'''<br>1 May, 1941 &ndash; ''c''. Aug, 1943|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Ralph Leatham|Ralph Leatham]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts> 


His portrait, by Sir Oswald Birley, is in the Greenwich Collection.
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:1880 births|Forbes]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forbes, Charles Morton}}
[[Category:1960 deaths|Forbes]]
 
[[Category:Personalities|Forbes]]
{{CatPerson|UK|1880|1960}}
[[Category:Royal Navy Gunnery Officers|Forbes]]
{{CatBritannia|July, 1894}}
[[Category:Royal Navy Admirals of the Fleet|Forbes]]
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
[[Category:Royal Navy Flag Officers|Forbes]]
{{CatAdmOfTheFleet|UK}}
[[Category:Royal Navy Officers Educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy]]
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 18:56, 27 June 2022

Admiral of the Fleet SIR Charles Morton Forbes, G.C.B., K.C.B., D.S.O., Royal Navy (22 November, 1880 – 28 August, 1960) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

As a Lieutenant, in Aboukir from April, 1902 to August, 1902.

Gunnery officer in Carnarvon from 29 May, 1905 to 16 February, 1908.

Appointed to Superb as first and gunnery officer on 11 February, 1911.

At the Battle of Jutland, he was in Iron Duke, serving as Flag Commander to Admiral Jellicoe.

On 15 September he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) for his services at Jutland.[1]

He served as captain of Queen Elizabeth from June 1923, then of Iron Duke from October 1924 until April 1925.

Forbes was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1917. He was appointed in command of the light cruiser Galatea on 10 July, 1917, remaining with her through the end of the war.[2]

Forbes was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V on 7 April, 1928, vice Reinold.[3]

Bibliography

  • "Sir Charles M. Forbes" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 30 August, 1960. Issue 54863, col F, pg. 15.

Service Records

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Robert W. F. Travers 		Captain of H.M.S. Leopard
21 Jul, 1903[4] 		Succeeded by
Archibald C. Goolden
Preceded by
John A. Gregory 		Captain of H.M.S. Quail
14 Jul, 1904[5] 		Succeeded by
William F. Benwell
Preceded by
Ernest K. Loring 		Captain of H.M.S. Galatea
10 Jul, 1917[6] – 1919 		Succeeded by
Eric V. F. R. Dugmore
Preceded by
Geoffrey Blake 		Captain of H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth
28 Jun, 1923[7] – Oct, 1924[8] 		Succeeded by
Frank F. Rose
Preceded by
Frank F. Rose 		Captain of H.M.S. Iron Duke
25 Oct, 1924[9] – Apr, 1925[10] 		Succeeded by
Joseph C. W. Henley
Preceded by
Arthur B. S. Dutton 		Rear Admiral (D) Commanding Destroyer Flotillas, Mediterranean
1 Aug, 1930[11] – 20 Nov, 1931[12] 		Succeeded by
Frank F. Rose
Preceded by
Roger R. C. Backhouse 		Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy
1 Mar, 1932[13] 		Succeeded by
Sir Reginald G. H. Henderson
Preceded by
William W. Fisher 		Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Squadron
25 Apr, 1934[14] – 25 Jul, 1936[15] 		Succeeded by
Geoffrey Layton
Preceded by
Michael H. Hodges 		Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Station
21 May, 1934[16] – 25 Jul, 1936[17] 		Succeeded by
Arthur F. Pridham
Preceded by
Martin E. Dunbar-Nasmith 		Commander in Chief, Plymouth Station
1 May, 1941 – c. Aug, 1943 		Succeeded by
Ralph Leatham

 

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29751. p. 9071. 15 September, 1916.
  2. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 798.
  3. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33376. p. 2741. 17 April, 1928.
  4. ↑ "APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NAVAL MANOEUVRES." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Jul 16, 1903; pg. 8; Issue 37134.
  5. ↑ "Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442.
  6. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 798.
  7. ↑ Forbes Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130.
  8. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  9. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1925). p. 248.
  10. ↑ Forbes Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130.
  11. ↑ Forbes Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130.
  12. ↑ Forbes Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130.
  13. ↑ "The Services" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 1 March, 1932. Issue 46010, col F, p. 10.
  14. ↑ Forbes Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130.
  15. ↑ Forbes Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130.
  16. ↑ Forbes Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130. Year MAY be 1936.
  17. ↑ Forbes Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 130.

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