John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet: Difference between revisions
Simon Harley (talk | contribs) |
Simon Harley (talk | contribs) |
||
Line 6: | Line 6: | ||
John Michael de Robeck was born at Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland, on 10 June, 1862, one of three surviving sons of the fourth Baron de Robeck. He entered the [[Royal Navy]] as a {{NavCadRN}} on 15 July, 1875, by joining the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth. He left the ship after the usual two years, or four terms, with no time allowed for conduct or study towards promotion to {{MidRN}}, suggesting his academic performance and behaviour had been poor. This is supported by a note in his papers signed by the establishment's captain, Captain [[William Graham]], entitled "Offences of M<sup><u>r</u></sup> De Robeck to Xmas 1875." In five months he had already been given four days No. 7 punishment by the Commander, i.e. "Extra drill one hour, leave stopped, go ashore one hour with Drill Sergeant, No. 4." No. 4 was "Stand on middle deck for one hour after prayers (evening)." For 15 offences he was given No. 3 punishment, "Extra drill for one hour" fifteen times. He was also reported 15 times "for want of attention in Study"!<ref>De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/1.</ref> | John Michael de Robeck was born at Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland, on 10 June, 1862, one of three surviving sons of the fourth Baron de Robeck. He entered the [[Royal Navy]] as a {{NavCadRN}} on 15 July, 1875, by joining the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth. He left the ship after the usual two years, or four terms, with no time allowed for conduct or study towards promotion to {{MidRN}}, suggesting his academic performance and behaviour had been poor. This is supported by a note in his papers signed by the establishment's captain, Captain [[William Graham]], entitled "Offences of M<sup><u>r</u></sup> De Robeck to Xmas 1875." In five months he had already been given four days No. 7 punishment by the Commander, i.e. "Extra drill one hour, leave stopped, go ashore one hour with Drill Sergeant, No. 4." No. 4 was "Stand on middle deck for one hour after prayers (evening)." For 15 offences he was given No. 3 punishment, "Extra drill for one hour" fifteen times. He was also reported 15 times "for want of attention in Study"!<ref>De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/1.</ref> | ||
He was appointed to his first ship, the {{UK-1Shannon|f=t}}, Captain [[William Burley Grant|William B. Grant]], on 27 July, 1877, on the [[Pacific Station (Royal Navy)|Pacific Station]]. He was rated Midshipman on 28 July, 1878. | He was appointed to his first ship, the {{UK-1Shannon|f=t}}, Captain [[William Burley Grant|William B. Grant]], on 27 July, 1877, on the [[Pacific Station (Royal Navy)|Pacific Station]]. He was rated Midshipman on 28 July, 1878. In July, 1881, the ''Shannon'' paid off, and from 10 July to 22 July he was borne on the books of the ''Agincourt'', flagship of the second-in-command of the [[Channel Squadron (Royal Navy)|Channel Squadron]]. After the usual three months' leave for such extended foreign service he was appointed to the {{UK-1Minotaur|f=t}} in the Channel Squadron. On 10 January, 1882, he transferred to the {{UK-Northumberland|f=t}} in the same squadron.<ref>De Robeck Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|}} ff. 127, 128.</ref> | ||
On 29 April, 1882, de Robeck was appointed to the boys' training ship ''St. Vincent'' at Plymouth for service in the masted brig ''Martin''. From 10 July he was appointed to the ''Royal Adelaide'', flagship at Devonport. On 27 July was examined in Seamanship by Captains William Grant of the ''Royal Adelaide'' and [[Francis Mowbray Prattent|Francis M. Prattent]] of the ''Belleisle'' and Commander Alexander G. McKechnie of the ''Lion''.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 13/218.}} f. 89.</ref> Captain Grant was of course known to him. He obtained a first class certficate with 950 marks out of 1,000. From the same date he was promoted to the rank of Acting {{SubRN}}. He was then borne on the books of ''Excellent'' while studying for the rank of {{LieutRN}}. In March, 1883, he passed his so-called Navigation examination at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]], with a third class and 869 marks. In May he passed in torpedo with a third class and 147 marks, and on 3 August he passed in gunnery with a second class and 570 marks. | On 29 April, 1882, de Robeck was appointed to the boys' training ship ''St. Vincent'' at Plymouth for service in the masted brig ''Martin''. From 10 July he was appointed to the ''Royal Adelaide'', flagship at Devonport. On 27 July was examined in Seamanship by Captains William Grant of the ''Royal Adelaide'' and [[Francis Mowbray Prattent|Francis M. Prattent]] of the ''Belleisle'' and Commander Alexander G. McKechnie of the ''Lion''.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 13/218.}} f. 89.</ref> Captain Grant was of course known to him. He obtained a first class certficate with 950 marks out of 1,000. From the same date he was promoted to the rank of Acting {{SubRN}}. He was then borne on the books of ''Excellent'' while studying for the rank of {{LieutRN}}. In March, 1883, he passed his so-called Navigation examination at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]], with a third class and 869 marks. In May he passed in torpedo with a third class and 147 marks, and on 3 August he passed in gunnery with a second class and 570 marks. | ||
On 14 August, 1883, de Robeck returned to sea and was appointed to the gunboat ''Espoir'' on the [[China Station]]. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1885.{{Gaz|25516|4599|2 October, 1885}} From 27 July to 15 October, 1886, he was borne on the books of the receiving ship ''Victor Emanuel'' at Hong Kong, taking passage home to the United Kingdom in a mail steamer on 11 September. He was on full pay foreign service leave from 16 October to 26 November, and then went on half pay. On 5 January he returned to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for study, before being appointed to the ''Boscawen'', boys' training ship at Portland, for service in the brig ''Seaflower''. | On 14 August, 1883, de Robeck returned to sea and was appointed to the gunboat ''Espoir'' on the [[China Station]]. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1885.{{Gaz|25516|4599|2 October, 1885}} From 27 July to 15 October, 1886, he was borne on the books of the receiving ship ''Victor Emanuel'' at Hong Kong, taking passage home to the United Kingdom in a mail steamer on 11 September. He was on full pay foreign service leave from 16 October to 26 November, and then went on half pay. On 5 January he returned to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for study, before being appointed to the ''Boscawen'', boys' training ship at Portland, for service in the brig ''Seaflower'' on 25 March. On 2 November he returned to the ''Agincourt'', now flagship of the Channel Squadron. He returned to the ''Britannia'' from 4 September, 1888, to 29 December, 1890, except for the period 22 July to 21 August, 1890, when he served in Torpedo Boat 86 for the annual manœuvres. | ||
On 27 January, 1891, he was appointed to the ''Imperieuse'' on the China Station, taking passage in the troopship ''Tamar'' until joining the ship on 29 March. He took watchkeeping duties in the ''Tamar'' on the way. On 27 January, 1893, he took passage back home in the ''Tamar'', then took two months leave from 12 March to 9 May before going on half pay 10 May to 10 July: these 62 days on half pay were the longest period of unemployment in his career so far. He served in the ''Brilliant'' from 11 July to 24 August for the annual manœuvres, and on 25 August was again appointed to the ''Britannia'', where he would remain for the next 20 months. | |||
He was superseded in the ''Britannia'' on 19 April, 1895, at his own request. After a short period on half pay he was appointed to ''Excellent'' for a short course of gunnery on 4 May, which he passed in July with a first class and 548 marks. During the manœuvres of 1895 he served as First Lieutenant of the [[H.M.S. Indefatigable (1891)|''Indefatigable'']], before being appointed to ''Vernon'' for a short course in torpedo, which he passed in November with a first class and 316 marks. On 12 November he was appointed to the ''Cordelia'' on the [[North America and West Indies Station]] as First and Gunnery Lieutenant. In March 1896 Commodore [[Maurice Archibald Bourke|The Honourable Maurice A. Bourke]] wrote to the effect that "I cannot speak too highly of the admirable tact & judgement he displayed on occasion of riots at Basseterre [Guadeloupe] in command of landing party". In May, 1897, the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral [[James Elphinstone Erskine|James E. Erskine]], specially recommended de Robeck for promotion, and he was accordingly promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 22 June.{{Gaz|26865|3443|22 June, 1897}} | |||
In mid-1899, he was in command of the {{UK-Angler|f=t}} and commanding the destroyers of the [[Chatham Flotilla]].{{ARTS1899|p. 63}} | In mid-1899, he was in command of the {{UK-Angler|f=t}} and commanding the destroyers of the [[Chatham Flotilla]].{{ARTS1899|p. 63}} |
Revision as of 08:21, 6 May 2024
Admiral SIR John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., R.N. (10 June, 1862 – 20 January, 1928) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War. He is perhaps most notable for his command of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron during the abortive attempts to force the Dardanelles in 1915. He later commanded a battle squadron in the Grand Fleet, and after the war ended held the commands of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Fleets.
Early Life & Career
John Michael de Robeck was born at Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland, on 10 June, 1862, one of three surviving sons of the fourth Baron de Robeck. He entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet on 15 July, 1875, by joining the training ship Britannia at Dartmouth. He left the ship after the usual two years, or four terms, with no time allowed for conduct or study towards promotion to Midshipman, suggesting his academic performance and behaviour had been poor. This is supported by a note in his papers signed by the establishment's captain, Captain William Graham, entitled "Offences of Mr De Robeck to Xmas 1875." In five months he had already been given four days No. 7 punishment by the Commander, i.e. "Extra drill one hour, leave stopped, go ashore one hour with Drill Sergeant, No. 4." No. 4 was "Stand on middle deck for one hour after prayers (evening)." For 15 offences he was given No. 3 punishment, "Extra drill for one hour" fifteen times. He was also reported 15 times "for want of attention in Study"![1]
He was appointed to his first ship, the armoured cruiser Shannon, Captain William B. Grant, on 27 July, 1877, on the Pacific Station. He was rated Midshipman on 28 July, 1878. In July, 1881, the Shannon paid off, and from 10 July to 22 July he was borne on the books of the Agincourt, flagship of the second-in-command of the Channel Squadron. After the usual three months' leave for such extended foreign service he was appointed to the ironclad battleship Minotaur in the Channel Squadron. On 10 January, 1882, he transferred to the ironclad battleship Northumberland in the same squadron.[2]
On 29 April, 1882, de Robeck was appointed to the boys' training ship St. Vincent at Plymouth for service in the masted brig Martin. From 10 July he was appointed to the Royal Adelaide, flagship at Devonport. On 27 July was examined in Seamanship by Captains William Grant of the Royal Adelaide and Francis M. Prattent of the Belleisle and Commander Alexander G. McKechnie of the Lion.[3] Captain Grant was of course known to him. He obtained a first class certficate with 950 marks out of 1,000. From the same date he was promoted to the rank of Acting Sub-Lieutenant. He was then borne on the books of Excellent while studying for the rank of Lieutenant. In March, 1883, he passed his so-called Navigation examination at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, with a third class and 869 marks. In May he passed in torpedo with a third class and 147 marks, and on 3 August he passed in gunnery with a second class and 570 marks.
On 14 August, 1883, de Robeck returned to sea and was appointed to the gunboat Espoir on the China Station. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1885.[4] From 27 July to 15 October, 1886, he was borne on the books of the receiving ship Victor Emanuel at Hong Kong, taking passage home to the United Kingdom in a mail steamer on 11 September. He was on full pay foreign service leave from 16 October to 26 November, and then went on half pay. On 5 January he returned to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for study, before being appointed to the Boscawen, boys' training ship at Portland, for service in the brig Seaflower on 25 March. On 2 November he returned to the Agincourt, now flagship of the Channel Squadron. He returned to the Britannia from 4 September, 1888, to 29 December, 1890, except for the period 22 July to 21 August, 1890, when he served in Torpedo Boat 86 for the annual manœuvres.
On 27 January, 1891, he was appointed to the Imperieuse on the China Station, taking passage in the troopship Tamar until joining the ship on 29 March. He took watchkeeping duties in the Tamar on the way. On 27 January, 1893, he took passage back home in the Tamar, then took two months leave from 12 March to 9 May before going on half pay 10 May to 10 July: these 62 days on half pay were the longest period of unemployment in his career so far. He served in the Brilliant from 11 July to 24 August for the annual manœuvres, and on 25 August was again appointed to the Britannia, where he would remain for the next 20 months.
He was superseded in the Britannia on 19 April, 1895, at his own request. After a short period on half pay he was appointed to Excellent for a short course of gunnery on 4 May, which he passed in July with a first class and 548 marks. During the manœuvres of 1895 he served as First Lieutenant of the Indefatigable, before being appointed to Vernon for a short course in torpedo, which he passed in November with a first class and 316 marks. On 12 November he was appointed to the Cordelia on the North America and West Indies Station as First and Gunnery Lieutenant. In March 1896 Commodore The Honourable Maurice A. Bourke wrote to the effect that "I cannot speak too highly of the admirable tact & judgement he displayed on occasion of riots at Basseterre [Guadeloupe] in command of landing party". In May, 1897, the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral James E. Erskine, specially recommended de Robeck for promotion, and he was accordingly promoted to the rank of Commander on 22 June.[5]
In mid-1899, he was in command of the destroyer Angler and commanding the destroyers of the Chatham Flotilla.[6]
Captain
De Robeck was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1902.[7]
He was appointed Captain of the armoured cruiser Carnarvon in August 1906.
He was appointed in command of the battleship Dominion on 25 January, 1908.[8]
Flag Rank
De Robeck was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 1 December, 1911, vice Savory.[9]
He struck his flag in the armoured cruiser Aboukir at Chatham on 26 July, 1914.[10]
Great War
He hoisted his flag in the first class protected cruiser Amphitrite of Cruiser Force I in August.
On 1 January, 1916, he was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.).[11]
He was placed in command of the Second Battle Squadron on 3 December, 1916 and commanded this formation through 22 March, 1919.[12]
He was confirmed in the rank of Vice-Admiral on 17 May, 1917, vice Sturdee.[13]
He was chastised for sending a telegram protesting the appointment of his navigating Cdr. Schäfer to the convoy sloop Gaillardia in November 1917.[14]
Post-War & Retirement
On 24 March, 1920, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral, vice Grant.[15]
He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) on 1 January, 1921.[16]
He was advanced to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on 24 November, 1925, vice Burney.[17] He died in London on 20 January, 1928 at his residence at 5 Southwick Crescent.[18]
There is a portrait-drawing of de Robeck by Francis Dodd in the Imperial War Museum, South Kensington.
Bibliography
- "Sir John de Robeck" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 21 January, 1928. Issue 44796, col B, p. 12.
Papers
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/87/135.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/20/347.
Footnotes
- ↑ De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/1.
- ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. ff. 127, 128.
- ↑ The National Archives. ADM 13/218. f. 89.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25516. p. 4599. 2 October, 1885.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26865. p. 3443. 22 June, 1897.
- ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1899. p. 63.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27393. p. 3. 3 January, 1902.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1908). p. 301.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28562. p. 9446. 15 December, 1911.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Monday, 27 July, 1914. Issue 40586, col B, p. 4.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29423. p. 80. 31 December, 1915.
- ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. ff. 285.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 30084. p. 4942. 22 May, 1917.
- ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. f. 285.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 3186. p. 4474. 16 April, 1920.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 32178. p. 4. 1 January, 1921.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33110. p. 7950. 1 December, 1925.
- ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. ff. 285.
- ↑ "Naval Intelligence". The Times. Friday, 19 July, 1890. Issue 33068, col C, p. 12.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 346.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1898). p. 224.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), 8 Oct. 1897, p. 9.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64/128.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1901). p. 296.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1901). p. 296.
- ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 31.
- ↑ De Robeck Service Record ADM 196/42.
- ↑ De Robeck Service Record ADM 196/42.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64/128.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64/128.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1908). p. 291.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 301.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 11 January, 1911. Issue 39496, col B, p. 8.
- ↑ de Robeck service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 27 July, 1914. Issue 40586, col B, p. 4.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 5.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 32.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 3.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 32.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 285.
- ↑ "Flag Command Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 21 December, 1921. Issue 42909, col D, p. 14.
- ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 285.
- People
- People (UK)
- 1862 births
- 1928 deaths
- H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship) Entrants of July, 1875
- Flag Officers
- Flag Officers (UK)
- Admirals of the Fleet
- Admirals of the Fleet (UK)
- Knights Grand Cross of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath
- Knights Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George
- Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Served in R.N.