Cecil Vivian Usborne: Difference between revisions

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to navigationJump to search
(eradicating old categories)
(add RN/RNR/RNVR categories)
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Vice-Admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral]] '''Cecil Vivian Usborne''', C.B., C.M.G., Royal Navy (17 May, 1880 – 31 January, 1951) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].  A distinguished gunnery officer, he mixed gunnery appointments with active service afloat, before becoming [[Director of Naval Intelligence (Royal Navy)|Director of Naval Intelligence]] in 1930.  His career was brought to a premature end as a result of the Invergordon Mutiny of 1931.
[[Vice-Admiral (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral]] '''Cecil Vivian Usborne''', {{Post-Nominals|country=GBR-cats|C.B.m|C.M.G.}}, Royal Navy (17 May, 1880 – 31 January, 1951) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].  A distinguished gunnery officer, he mixed gunnery appointments with active service afloat, before becoming [[Director of Naval Intelligence (Royal Navy)|Director of Naval Intelligence]] in 1930.  His career was brought to a premature end as a result of the Invergordon Mutiny of 1931.


==Early Life & Career==
==Early Life & Career==
At ''Britannia'', Usborne won prizes in Seamanship, Signalling, and French.  In the final examination in Mathematics, Seamanship, and other subjects, he obtained 2,199 marks out of 2,500, coming fourth in his term.<ref>"The Britannia" (News).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 19 December, 1895.  Issue '''34764''', col B, p. 10.</ref>
At ''Britannia'', Usborne won prizes in Seamanship, Signalling, and French.  In the final examination in Mathematics, Seamanship, and other subjects, he obtained 2,199 marks out of 2,500, coming fourth in his term.<ref>"The Britannia" (News).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 19 December, 1895.  Issue '''34764''', col B, p. 10.</ref>


He was appointed to ''Excellent'' as a Lieutenant (G) on 2 September, 1907, and to ''President'', additional, for duty with the [[Inspector of Target Practice (Royal Navy)|Inspector of Target Practice]], dated 1 September.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 29 August, 1907.  Issue '''38424''', col C, p. 4.</ref>  He was appointed gunnery officer of the new dreadnought battleship [[H.M.S. Bellerophon (1907)|''Bellerophon'']] on 20 February, 1909.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 12 February, 1909.  Issue '''38881''', col B, p. 9.</ref>  Before leaving ''Bellerophon'', Usborne's gunners tied for first with [[H.M.S. Dreadnought (1906)|''Dreadnought'']]'s at a prize firing, scoring 18 hits out of 40 rounds fired at long range.<ref>Usborne, p. 12.</ref>
Usborne was awarded the [[Ryder Memorial Prize]] for 1899 for placing highest in the examination in French at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]].


On 16 February, 1911, Usborne was appointed to ''President'', additional, for the Naval Ordnance Department as Assistant to [[Director of Naval Ordnance and Torpedoes (Royal Navy)|D.N.O.]]<ref>"Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 23 January, 1911.  Issue '''39489''', col C, p. 6.</ref>  He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1912.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28623/pages/4748 no. 28623.  p. 4748.]  2 July, 1912.</ref> As an Assistant to D.N.O., from December, 1911, Usborne was responsible for:
He was also awarded the [[Goodenough Medal]] for 1900 for being the Sub-Lieutenant who achieved the highest gunnery examination while also achieving a first-class certificate in seamanship.
 
Promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 15 January, 1900, Usborne was appointed to {{UK-Excellent}} on 30 September, 1902 to qualify in gunnery.  His first stint as a gunnery officer was in the {{UK-1Hood}} from 3 January, 1905 to 24 June, 1905 when he was sent to {{UK-1NewZealand}}.  He remained in ''New Zealand'' until she paid off on 17 June, 1907.  He then went to France for one month to study the language.<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>
 
He was appointed to ''Excellent'' as a Lieutenant (G) on 2 September, 1907, and to ''President'', additional, for duty with the [[Inspector of Target Practice (Royal Navy)|Inspector of Target Practice]], dated 1 September.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 29 August, 1907.  Issue '''38424''', col C, p. 4.</ref>  He was appointed gunnery officer of the new dreadnought battleship {{UK-Bellerophon}} on 20 February, 1909.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 12 February, 1909.  Issue '''38881''', col B, p. 9.</ref>  Before leaving ''Bellerophon'', Usborne's gunners tied for first with {{UK-Dreadnought}}'s at a prize firing, scoring 18 hits out of 40 rounds fired at long range.<ref>Usborne, p. 12.</ref>
 
He was thanked for his service in developing a deflection calculator for 12-in guns about this time, though it was decided that it would not be adopted for service.<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>
 
On 16 February, 1911, Usborne was appointed to ''President'', additional, for the Naval Ordnance Department as Assistant to [[Director of Naval Ordnance and Torpedoes (Royal Navy)|D.N.O.]]<ref>"Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 23 January, 1911.  Issue '''39489''', col C, p. 6.</ref>  He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1912.{{Gaz|28623|4748|2 July, 1912}} As an Assistant to D.N.O., from December, 1911, Usborne was responsible for:


# Fire control and communications.
# Fire control and communications.
Line 16: Line 24:
# Attends gun trials.<ref>Brooks.  p. 64.  Date of becoming responsible for fire control from p. 160.</ref>
# Attends gun trials.<ref>Brooks.  p. 64.  Date of becoming responsible for fire control from p. 160.</ref>


On 1 September, 1913, Usborne left the Naval Ordnance Department and was appointed Commander (Second-in-Command) of the dreadnought battleship [[H.M.S. Colossus (1910)|''Colossus'']].<ref>''The Navy List'' (December, 1914).  p. 293.</ref>
On 1 September, 1913, Usborne left the Naval Ordnance Department and was appointed Commander (Second-in-Command) of the dreadnought battleship [[H.M.S. Colossus (1910)|''Colossus'']].{{NLDec14|p. 293}}


Usborne was noted for contributing several important inventions, including a [[Usborne Fall of Shot Indicator|fall of shot indicator]] helpful in keeping [[Spotter|spotters]] from confusing other ships' shotfall for their own, and [[Usborne Accelerating Gear|accelerating gear]] to help make gun sights with non-uniform range dials compatible with [[F.T.P.]] range and deflection receivers.  He was also helpful, by his own competitive invention, in honing {{LieutRN}} [[Charles Dennistoun Burney|Burney's]] work on the [[Paravane|paravane]].
Usborne was noted for contributing several important inventions, including a [[Usborne Fall of Shot Indicator|fall of shot indicator]] helpful in keeping [[Spotter|spotters]] from confusing other ships' shotfall for their own, and [[Usborne Accelerating Gear|accelerating gear]] to help make gun sights with non-uniform range dials compatible with [[F.T.P.]] range and deflection receivers.  He was also helpful, by his own competitive invention, in honing {{LieutRN}} [[Charles Denniston Burney|Charles D. Burney's]] work on the [[Paravane|paravane]].


==Great War==
==Great War==
Usborne was appointed in command of the minelayer [[H.M.S. Latona (1890)|''Latona'']] on 18 September, 1916.<ref>''The Navy List'' (December, 1916).  p. 395''tt''.</ref> He was reappointed to her on 1 February, 1917,<ref>''The Navy List'' (November, 1917).  p. 395.</ref> and was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June.<ref>''The Navy List'' (November, 1917).  p. 77.</ref> After spells as Senior Naval Officer at Salonika and Corfu, in 1918-1919 he commanded the Naval Brigade on the river Danube.  In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1918, Usborne was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.).<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30723/supplements/6530 (Supplement) no. 30723.  p. 6530.]  3 June, 1918.</ref>
Usborne was appointed in command of the minelayer [[H.M.S. Latona (1890)|''Latona'']] on 18 September, 1916.{{NLDec16|p. 395''tt''}} He was reappointed to her on 1 February, 1917,{{NLNov17|p. 395}} and was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June.{{NLNov17|p. 77}} After spells as Senior Naval Officer at Salonika and Corfu, in 1918-1919 he commanded the Naval Brigade on the river Danube.  In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1918, Usborne was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.).{{GazSup|30723|6530|3 June, 1918}}


==Post-War==
==Post-War==
Line 28: Line 36:
He commanded {{UK-Malaya}} in 1927 and 1928.{{MackieRNW}}
He commanded {{UK-Malaya}} in 1927 and 1928.{{MackieRNW}}


Usborne was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V on 5 April, 1928, vice [[Gordon Campbell|Campbell]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33376/pages/2741 no. 33376.  p. 2741.]  17 April, 1928.</ref>
Usborne was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V on 5 April, 1928, vice [[Gordon Campbell|Campbell]].{{Gaz|33376|2741|17 April, 1928}}


In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1930, Usborne was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.).<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33611/supplements/3475 (Supplement) no. 33611.  p. 3475.]  3 June, 1918.</ref>
In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1930, Usborne was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.).{{GazSup|33611|3475|3 June, 1918}}


==Invergordon & Retirement==
==Invergordon & Retirement==
Line 37: Line 45:
<blockquote>The Sea Lords decided that Rear Admiral Usborne was not to have an extension of his appointment as D.N.I.<ref>"Minutes of Meeting Held by Sea Lords on Friday, 1st January."  The National Archives.  ADM 178/129.  f. 6.</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>The Sea Lords decided that Rear Admiral Usborne was not to have an extension of his appointment as D.N.I.<ref>"Minutes of Meeting Held by Sea Lords on Friday, 1st January."  The National Archives.  ADM 178/129.  f. 6.</ref></blockquote>


Usborne was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 3 January, 1933, vice [[Theodore John Hallett|Hallett]], and was placed on the Retired List on 4 January.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33900/pages/127 no. 33900. p. 127.]  6 January, 1933.</ref>
Usborne was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 3 January, 1933, vice [[Theodore John Hallett|Hallett]], and was placed on the Retired List on 4 January.{{Gaz|33900|127|6 January, 1933}}
 
==World War II==
Usborne was appointed as Naval Adviser to First Sea Lord on the U-Boat Question on 19 November, 1941.  On 12 December, 1942 he was made Naval Assistant to A.C.N.S.<ref>What does this acronym mean?</ref>, serving in the rank of Rear-Admiral. He was discharged from this post on 1 December, 1944.<ref>Usborne Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>


==Retirement==
==Retirement==
The British Broadcasting Corporation journalist John Simpson made the preposterous assertion that Usborne "had spent all his adult life in the Navy, and had probably never spoken to a journalist."<ref>Simpson.  ''Unreliable Sources''.  p. 310.</ref>  Given that Usborne had retired from the Navy at the very early age of fifty-two, and in the six years since been active in the historical community and in the Royal Central Asian Society, it's more than likely that he had associated, and not just spoken, with journalists.
The British Broadcasting Corporation journalist John Simpson made the preposterous assertion that Usborne "had spent all his adult life in the Navy, and had probably never spoken to a journalist."<ref>Simpson.  ''Unreliable Sources''.  p. 310.</ref>  Given that as D.N.I. Usborne was responsible for naval public affairs Simpson's claim is remarkably ignorant.


==See Also==
==See Also==
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Usborne}}
{{refbegin}}
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Usborne}}
{{refend}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*"Vice-Adml. Usborne" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 1 February, 1951.  Issue '''51914''', col E, pg. 8.
*"Vice-Adml. Usborne" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 1 February, 1951.  Issue '''51914''', col E, p. 8.
*Usborne, Vice-Admiral C. V., C.B., C.M.G. (Cheap Edition, 1938). ''Blast and Counterblast: A Naval Impression of the War''. London: John Murray.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Line 60: Line 74:
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Forster Delafield Arnold-Forster|Forster D. Arnold-Forster]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Latona (1890)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Latona'']]'''<br>18 Sep, 1916{{NLDec16|p. 395''tt''}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cecil Vivian Usborne|Cecil V. Usborne]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Joseph Croker|Thomas J. Croker]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 77 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 77]]'''<br>3 Jul, 1900<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; 1 Oct, 1900<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Victor Herbert Gascoigne|Victor H. Gascoigne]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Cecil Vivian Usborne|Cecil V. Usborne]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Latona (1890)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Latona'']]'''<br>1 Feb, 1917{{NLNov17|p. 395}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Bernhard Alexander Pratt-Barlow|Bernhard A. Pratt-Barlow]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Osprey (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Osprey'']]'''<br>14 Jul, 1904{{ToL|Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres|Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Bernhard Alexander Pratt-Barlow|Bernhard A. Pratt-Barlow]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Otto Herman Hawke-Genn|Otto H. Hawke-Genn]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Dragon (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Dragon'']]'''<br>? &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Forster Delafield Arnold-Forster|Forster D. Arnold-Forster]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Latona (1890)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Latona'']]'''<br>18 Sep, 1916{{NLDec16|p. 395''tt''}}<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; 5 Oct, 1918<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Falkenberg Powell|Arthur F. Powell]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Astley Astley-Rushton|Edward A. Astley-Rushton]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Malaya (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Malaya'']]'''<br>1927{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Nicholas Edward Archdale|Nicholas E. Archdale]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Joseph Charles Walrond Henley|Joseph C. W. Henley]]'''|'''[[Naval Ordnance Department (Royal Navy)|Assistant Director of Naval Ordnance]]'''<br>15 Jan, 1919<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; 25 May, 1921<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Julian Francis Chichester Patterson|Julian F. C. Patterson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Francis Arthur Marten|Francis A. Marten]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Resolution (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Resolution'']]'''<br>Nov, 1927{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Otto Herman Hawke-Genn|Otto H. Hawke-Genn]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Dragon (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Dragon'']]'''<br>15 Jun, 1921<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; 15 Aug, 1922<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Bernard William Murray Fairbairn|Bernard W. M. Fairbairn]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Bernard William Murray Fairbairn|Bernard W. M. Fairbairn]]'''|'''[[Gunnery Division (Royal Navy)|Deputy Director of the Gunnery Division]]'''<br>16 Aug, 1922{{NavAppts|Tuesday, July 25, 1922, Issue 43092, p.17}} &ndash; 10 Mar, 1923|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Frankland French|Wilfred F. French]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Hubert Edward Dannreuther|Hubert E. Dannreuther]]'''|'''[[Chemical Warfare Committee|Vice-President of the Chemical Warfare Committee]]'''<br>6 Aug, 1923<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; 1 Jan, 1925<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Frankland French|Wilfred F. French]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Astley Astley-Rushton|Edward A. Astley-Rushton]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Malaya (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Malaya'']]'''<br>28 Feb, 1927{{NLJul27|p. 253}}<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; 15 Nov, 1927<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Nicholas Edward Archdale|Nicholas E. Archdale]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Geoffrey David Taylor|Geoffrey D. Taylor]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Resolution (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Resolution'']]'''<br>15 Nov, 1927<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; May, 1928<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger L'Estrange Murray Rede|Roger L'E. M. Rede]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Barry Edward Domvile|Barry E. Domvile]]'''|'''[[Naval Intelligence Division (Royal Navy)|Director of Naval Intelligence]]'''<br>15 Aug, 1930<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref> &ndash; 15 Aug, 1932<ref>Usborne Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/45/115.}} f. 118.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Gerald Charles Dickens|Gerald C. Dickens]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts>
</div name=fredbot:appts>
Line 71: Line 90:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Usborne, Cecil}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Usborne, Cecil Vivian}}


{{CatPerson|UK|1880|1951}}
{{CatPerson|UK|1880|1951}}
{{CatBritannia|January, 1894}}
{{CatBritannia|January, 1894}}
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
[[Category:Assistants to the Director of Naval Ordnance and Torpedoes (Royal Navy)]]
{{CatVice|UK}}
[[Category:Deputy Directors of Naval Ordnance (Royal Navy)]]
{{CatInterpreter|UK|French}}
 
[[Category:Deputy Directors of the Gunnery Division (Royal Navy)]]
[[Category:Deputy Directors of the Gunnery Division (Royal Navy)]]
{{CatViceAdmiral|UK}}
{{CatRN}}
[[Category:Winners of the Beaufort Testimonial]]
[[Category:Winners of the Goodenough Medal]]
[[Category:Winners of the Ryder Memorial Prize]]

Latest revision as of 16:39, 7 April 2022

Vice-Admiral Cecil Vivian Usborne, C.B., C.M.G., Royal Navy (17 May, 1880 – 31 January, 1951) was an officer of the Royal Navy. A distinguished gunnery officer, he mixed gunnery appointments with active service afloat, before becoming Director of Naval Intelligence in 1930. His career was brought to a premature end as a result of the Invergordon Mutiny of 1931.

Early Life & Career

At Britannia, Usborne won prizes in Seamanship, Signalling, and French. In the final examination in Mathematics, Seamanship, and other subjects, he obtained 2,199 marks out of 2,500, coming fourth in his term.[1]

Usborne was awarded the Ryder Memorial Prize for 1899 for placing highest in the examination in French at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

He was also awarded the Goodenough Medal for 1900 for being the Sub-Lieutenant who achieved the highest gunnery examination while also achieving a first-class certificate in seamanship.

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 January, 1900, Usborne was appointed to Excellent on 30 September, 1902 to qualify in gunnery. His first stint as a gunnery officer was in the Hood from 3 January, 1905 to 24 June, 1905 when he was sent to New Zealand. He remained in New Zealand until she paid off on 17 June, 1907. He then went to France for one month to study the language.[2]

He was appointed to Excellent as a Lieutenant (G) on 2 September, 1907, and to President, additional, for duty with the Inspector of Target Practice, dated 1 September.[3] He was appointed gunnery officer of the new dreadnought battleship Bellerophon on 20 February, 1909.[4] Before leaving Bellerophon, Usborne's gunners tied for first with Dreadnought's at a prize firing, scoring 18 hits out of 40 rounds fired at long range.[5]

He was thanked for his service in developing a deflection calculator for 12-in guns about this time, though it was decided that it would not be adopted for service.[6]

On 16 February, 1911, Usborne was appointed to President, additional, for the Naval Ordnance Department as Assistant to D.N.O.[7] He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1912.[8] As an Assistant to D.N.O., from December, 1911, Usborne was responsible for:

  1. Fire control and communications.
  2. Range-finders and plotting.
  3. Sights.
  4. Calibration.
  5. Ballistic questions and range tables.
  6. Alterations and additions, including estimates.
  7. Attends gun trials.[9]

On 1 September, 1913, Usborne left the Naval Ordnance Department and was appointed Commander (Second-in-Command) of the dreadnought battleship Colossus.[10]

Usborne was noted for contributing several important inventions, including a fall of shot indicator helpful in keeping spotters from confusing other ships' shotfall for their own, and accelerating gear to help make gun sights with non-uniform range dials compatible with F.T.P. range and deflection receivers. He was also helpful, by his own competitive invention, in honing Lieutenant Charles D. Burney's work on the paravane.

Great War

Usborne was appointed in command of the minelayer Latona on 18 September, 1916.[11] He was reappointed to her on 1 February, 1917,[12] and was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June.[13] After spells as Senior Naval Officer at Salonika and Corfu, in 1918-1919 he commanded the Naval Brigade on the river Danube. In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1918, Usborne was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.).[14]

Post-War

On 15 January, 1919, Usborne was appointed Assistant Director of Naval Ordnance.[15]

He commanded Malaya in 1927 and 1928.[16]

Usborne was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V on 5 April, 1928, vice Campbell.[17]

In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1930, Usborne was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.).[18]

Invergordon & Retirement

At a meeting of the Sea Lords of the Board of Admiralty on 1 January, 1932, in the wake of the Invergordon Mutiny, it was minuted that:

The Sea Lords decided that Rear Admiral Usborne was not to have an extension of his appointment as D.N.I.[19]

Usborne was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 3 January, 1933, vice Hallett, and was placed on the Retired List on 4 January.[20]

World War II

Usborne was appointed as Naval Adviser to First Sea Lord on the U-Boat Question on 19 November, 1941. On 12 December, 1942 he was made Naval Assistant to A.C.N.S.[21], serving in the rank of Rear-Admiral. He was discharged from this post on 1 December, 1944.[22]

Retirement

The British Broadcasting Corporation journalist John Simpson made the preposterous assertion that Usborne "had spent all his adult life in the Navy, and had probably never spoken to a journalist."[23] Given that as D.N.I. Usborne was responsible for naval public affairs Simpson's claim is remarkably ignorant.

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Vice-Adml. Usborne" (Obituaries). The Times. Thursday, 1 February, 1951. Issue 51914, col E, p. 8.
  • Usborne, Vice-Admiral C. V., C.B., C.M.G. (Cheap Edition, 1938). Blast and Counterblast: A Naval Impression of the War. London: John Murray.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Thomas J. Croker 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 77
3 Jul, 1900[24] – 1 Oct, 1900[25] 		Succeeded by
Victor H. Gascoigne
Preceded by
Bernhard A. Pratt-Barlow 		Captain of H.M.S. Osprey
14 Jul, 1904[26] 		Succeeded by
Bernhard A. Pratt-Barlow
Preceded by
Forster D. Arnold-Forster 		Captain of H.M.S. Latona
18 Sep, 1916[27][28] – 5 Oct, 1918[29] 		Succeeded by
Arthur F. Powell
Preceded by
Joseph C. W. Henley 		Assistant Director of Naval Ordnance
15 Jan, 1919[30] – 25 May, 1921[31] 		Succeeded by
Julian F. C. Patterson
Preceded by
Otto H. Hawke-Genn 		Captain of H.M.S. Dragon
15 Jun, 1921[32] – 15 Aug, 1922[33] 		Succeeded by
Bernard W. M. Fairbairn
Preceded by
Bernard W. M. Fairbairn 		Deputy Director of the Gunnery Division
16 Aug, 1922[34] – 10 Mar, 1923 		Succeeded by
Wilfred F. French
Preceded by
Hubert E. Dannreuther 		Vice-President of the Chemical Warfare Committee
6 Aug, 1923[35] – 1 Jan, 1925[36] 		Succeeded by
Wilfred F. French
Preceded by
Edward A. Astley-Rushton 		Captain of H.M.S. Malaya
28 Feb, 1927[37][38] – 15 Nov, 1927[39] 		Succeeded by
Nicholas E. Archdale
Preceded by
Geoffrey D. Taylor 		Captain of H.M.S. Resolution
15 Nov, 1927[40] – May, 1928[41] 		Succeeded by
Roger L'E. M. Rede
Preceded by
Barry E. Domvile 		Director of Naval Intelligence
15 Aug, 1930[42] – 15 Aug, 1932[43] 		Succeeded by
Gerald C. Dickens

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "The Britannia" (News). The Times. Thursday, 19 December, 1895. Issue 34764, col B, p. 10.
  2. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  3. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 29 August, 1907. Issue 38424, col C, p. 4.
  4. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 12 February, 1909. Issue 38881, col B, p. 9.
  5. ↑ Usborne, p. 12.
  6. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  7. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 23 January, 1911. Issue 39489, col C, p. 6.
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28623. p. 4748. 2 July, 1912.
  9. ↑ Brooks. p. 64. Date of becoming responsible for fire control from p. 160.
  10. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 293.
  11. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 395tt.
  12. ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 395.
  13. ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 77.
  14. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30723. p. 6530. 3 June, 1918.
  15. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 3 February, 1919. Issue 42014, col F, p. 16.
  16. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  17. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33376. p. 2741. 17 April, 1928.
  18. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 33611. p. 3475. 3 June, 1918.
  19. ↑ "Minutes of Meeting Held by Sea Lords on Friday, 1st January." The National Archives. ADM 178/129. f. 6.
  20. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33900. p. 127. 6 January, 1933.
  21. ↑ What does this acronym mean?
  22. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  23. ↑ Simpson. Unreliable Sources. p. 310.
  24. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  25. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  26. ↑ "Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442.
  27. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 395tt.
  28. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  29. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  30. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  31. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  32. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  33. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  34. ↑ "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, July 25, 1922, Issue 43092, p.17.
  35. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  36. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  37. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 253.
  38. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  39. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  40. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  41. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  42. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.
  43. ↑ Usborne Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/115. f. 118.

Retrieved from "http://dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Cecil_Vivian_Usborne&oldid=328677"