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[[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] '''Harold Christian''', Royal Navy (28 September, 1867 – ?) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].
[[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] (retired) '''Harold Christian''', Royal Navy (28 September, 1867 – 15 November, 1917) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].


==Life & Career==
==Life & Career==
Christian was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 1 January, 1891.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26121/pages/4 no. 26121.  p. 4.] 2 January, 1891.</ref>
Born in Cheltenham, Christian gained seven months' time on passing out of {{UK-Britannia}}.  He was complimented by Captain Rawson for being "good at plans" while in {{UK-1Alexandra}} in 1884-1885.
On 31 December, 1901, he was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}}.{{NLMar13|p. 15}}


On 20 January, 1904, Christian was appointed Commander of [[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|H.M.S. ''Excellent'']],<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 30 January, 1904.  Issue '''37304''', col D, p. 12.</ref> an appointment which, said James, was "to our utter astonishment, and the astonishment of the whole fleet …"{{JamesSky|p. 52}}
Christian was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 1 January, 1891.{{Gaz|26121|4|2 January, 1891}}  Christian was awarded a first class certificate as a gunnery lieutenant in July 1895.
 
Recommended for promotion by the Commander-in-Chief, China on 19 October, 1901, Christian was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 31 December and left {{UK-Glory}}.  On 7 April, 1902, he arrived home.  On 22 July, he was appointed to {{UK-EmpressOfIndia}}, moving to {{UK-Venerable}} on 4 November, 1902.  While in ''Venerable'', an A.B. drowned, and Christian was faulted for having entrusted the hoisting of a boat to a junior lieutenant.  He was invalided from the ship on 29 December, 1903 with a skin condition.<ref>Christian Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>
 
On 8 January, 1904, Christian was diagnosed with psoriasis and eczema. On 20 (or 29?) January 1904, subject to a medical examination showing his skin condition would not be an impediment, Christian was appointed Commander of {{UK-Excellent|f=p}},<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 30 January, 1904.  Issue '''37304''', col D, p. 12.</ref> an appointment which [[William Milbourne James|William M. James]] said was "to our utter astonishment, and the astonishment of the whole fleet …"{{JamesSky|p. 52}}
 
In March 1906, Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Admiral [[Archibald Lucius Douglas|Douglas]] wrote that Christian was "an officer of very bad manner & address amounting to rudeness.  Has[sic] a poor opinion of him & thinks[sic] his leaving Whale Island and advantage to the service."  Following an inspection of Whale Island, Douglas recorded that Christian's appointment should not be extended and that he did not recommend the Commander for promotion.<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>
 
Christian went off to join {{UK-1Perseus}} in the East Indies, where he was also not well liked by the Commander-in-Chief.  This was compounded when he grounded the ship on 8 June, 1906.  Christian was superseded in {{UK-1Perseus}} on 15 March, 1908 and left Bombay for home on 19 April, arriving on 24 May.<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>
 
After a year in command of {{UK-Sappho}}, one in command of {{UK-Nile}} and twenty-eight months in command of {{UK-Hannibal}}, Christian was earning much improved, if unexceptional, evaluations.  He was admitted to Plymouth Hospital with a laceration to his right leg on 6 January, 1913.  He regained fitness on 11 March.  On 14 October, 1913, Christian was to be lent to the Chinese Government to help in establishing a school to train Officers, but the negotiations broke down and the appointment was not made.  In consequence, Christian was retired at his own request with the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 22 October, 1913.<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>
 
Christian was appointed in command of the {{UK-1Brilliant|f=t}} on 13 September 1914 and was mentioned in despatches, gazetted 13 April, 1915.  He was sent to a local hospital in Tyne on 7 April, suffering from cystitis.  This did not clear up until 27 September, 1915.  He was asked to report to the Admiralty.<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>
 
On 12 October 1915 Christian received an appointment to be Assistant to Naval [illeg] to Chief Censor at War Office.  On 15 January, 1916 he was appointed to ''President'' for W/T Censorship Duties at Clifden, temporary.  On 3 April, 1916, he was appointed Censor at War Office.  He was working in this capacity when he was killed in an accident.  Though Don Kindell's admirable ''Royal Navy Role of Honour'' cites an "air crash",{{KindellROH2|p. 426}} Christian's service record indicates that he was struck by a motor car on 12 November, 1917 and was admitted to Charing Cross Hospital where he died on 15 November.<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>
 
The circumstances of his death were fully reported in ''The Western Daily Press'' of Saturday, 17 November, 1917:
 
"A verdict of 'Accidental death' was returned at a Westminster inquest yesterday, on Captain Harold Christian, R.N., aged 50, who stayed at the United Services Club in Pall Mall, and who, when crossing the Mall on Monday evening [12 November], was knocked down near the Duke of York's Steps by a motor-car driven by Miss Jessie Crossman, employed by the A.S.C. He died in Charing Cross Hospital on Thursday from injury to his spine. Mr. W.H. Hicks-Beach, M.P., deceased's brother-in-law, said that while the family had suffered great loss, they felt that no blame attached to the driver."<ref>''The Western Daily Press'' (Saturday, 17 November 1917), p. 5.</ref>
 
==See Also==
{{refbegin}}
{{refend}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/42.|}}
* {{JamesSky}}
* {{JamesSky}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}
Line 15: Line 35:
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry FitzRoy George Talbot|Henry F. G. Talbot]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Perseus (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Perseus'']]'''<br>?|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Marcus Rowley Hill|Marcus R. Hill]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Perseus (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Perseus'']]'''<br>15 Mar, 1906<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>{{NLMar07|p. 356}} &ndash; 15 Mar, 1908<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederic Godfrey Bird|Frederic G. Bird]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Ernest Vaughan|Robert E. Vaughan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Brilliant (1891)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Brilliant'']]'''<br>13 Sep, 1914{{NLJan15|p. 285}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Colin Kenneth MacLean|Colin K. MacLean]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Michael Henry Hodges|Michael H. Hodges]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sappho (1891)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sappho'']]'''<br>8 Aug, 1908<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>{{NLJul09|p. 372}} &ndash; 30 Sep, 1909<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hugh Francis Wyldbore Wyldbore-Smith|Hugh F. W. Wyldbore-Smith]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Pasfield Victor Oliver|Pasfield V. Oliver]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Nile (1888)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Nile'']]'''<br>3 May, 1910<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>{{NLApr11|p. 350}} &ndash; 6 Jun, 1911<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Hayes-Sadler|Arthur Hayes-Sadler]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hannibal (1896)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hannibal'']]'''<br>6 Jun, 1911<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>{{NLOct13|p. 322}} &ndash; 22 Oct, 1913<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Frederick Corbett|Charles F. Corbett]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Ernest Vaughan|Robert E. Vaughan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Brilliant (1891)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Brilliant'']]'''<br>13 Sep, 1914<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>{{NLApr15|p. 392''m''}} &ndash; 1 Oct, 1915<ref>Christian Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/403.|D7602328}} f. 482.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Colin Kenneth MacLean|Colin K. MacLean]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts> 
</div name=fredbot:appts> 
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Christian, Harold}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christian, Harold}}


{{CatPerson|UK|1867|}}
{{CatPerson|UK|1867|1917}}
{{CatBritannia|January, 1881}}
{{CatBritannia|January, 1881}}
{{CatCaptain|UK}}
{{CatCapt|UK}}
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 08:04, 27 April 2022

Captain (retired) Harold Christian, Royal Navy (28 September, 1867 – 15 November, 1917) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Cheltenham, Christian gained seven months' time on passing out of Britannia. He was complimented by Captain Rawson for being "good at plans" while in Alexandra in 1884-1885.

Christian was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 January, 1891.[1] Christian was awarded a first class certificate as a gunnery lieutenant in July 1895.

Recommended for promotion by the Commander-in-Chief, China on 19 October, 1901, Christian was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December and left Glory. On 7 April, 1902, he arrived home. On 22 July, he was appointed to Empress of India, moving to Venerable on 4 November, 1902. While in Venerable, an A.B. drowned, and Christian was faulted for having entrusted the hoisting of a boat to a junior lieutenant. He was invalided from the ship on 29 December, 1903 with a skin condition.[2]

On 8 January, 1904, Christian was diagnosed with psoriasis and eczema. On 20 (or 29?) January 1904, subject to a medical examination showing his skin condition would not be an impediment, Christian was appointed Commander of H.M.S. Excellent,[3] an appointment which William M. James said was "to our utter astonishment, and the astonishment of the whole fleet …"[4]

In March 1906, Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Admiral Douglas wrote that Christian was "an officer of very bad manner & address amounting to rudeness. Has[sic] a poor opinion of him & thinks[sic] his leaving Whale Island and advantage to the service." Following an inspection of Whale Island, Douglas recorded that Christian's appointment should not be extended and that he did not recommend the Commander for promotion.[5]

Christian went off to join Perseus in the East Indies, where he was also not well liked by the Commander-in-Chief. This was compounded when he grounded the ship on 8 June, 1906. Christian was superseded in Perseus on 15 March, 1908 and left Bombay for home on 19 April, arriving on 24 May.[6]

After a year in command of Sappho, one in command of Nile and twenty-eight months in command of Hannibal, Christian was earning much improved, if unexceptional, evaluations. He was admitted to Plymouth Hospital with a laceration to his right leg on 6 January, 1913. He regained fitness on 11 March. On 14 October, 1913, Christian was to be lent to the Chinese Government to help in establishing a school to train Officers, but the negotiations broke down and the appointment was not made. In consequence, Christian was retired at his own request with the rank of Captain on 22 October, 1913.[7]

Christian was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Brilliant on 13 September 1914 and was mentioned in despatches, gazetted 13 April, 1915. He was sent to a local hospital in Tyne on 7 April, suffering from cystitis. This did not clear up until 27 September, 1915. He was asked to report to the Admiralty.[8]

On 12 October 1915 Christian received an appointment to be Assistant to Naval [illeg] to Chief Censor at War Office. On 15 January, 1916 he was appointed to President for W/T Censorship Duties at Clifden, temporary. On 3 April, 1916, he was appointed Censor at War Office. He was working in this capacity when he was killed in an accident. Though Don Kindell's admirable Royal Navy Role of Honour cites an "air crash",[9] Christian's service record indicates that he was struck by a motor car on 12 November, 1917 and was admitted to Charing Cross Hospital where he died on 15 November.[10]

The circumstances of his death were fully reported in The Western Daily Press of Saturday, 17 November, 1917:

"A verdict of 'Accidental death' was returned at a Westminster inquest yesterday, on Captain Harold Christian, R.N., aged 50, who stayed at the United Services Club in Pall Mall, and who, when crossing the Mall on Monday evening [12 November], was knocked down near the Duke of York's Steps by a motor-car driven by Miss Jessie Crossman, employed by the A.S.C. He died in Charing Cross Hospital on Thursday from injury to his spine. Mr. W.H. Hicks-Beach, M.P., deceased's brother-in-law, said that while the family had suffered great loss, they felt that no blame attached to the driver."[11]

See Also

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Marcus R. Hill 		Captain of H.M.S. Perseus
15 Mar, 1906[12][13] – 15 Mar, 1908[14] 		Succeeded by
Frederic G. Bird
Preceded by
Michael H. Hodges 		Captain of H.M.S. Sappho
8 Aug, 1908[15][16] – 30 Sep, 1909[17] 		Succeeded by
Hugh F. W. Wyldbore-Smith
Preceded by
Pasfield V. Oliver 		Captain of H.M.S. Nile
3 May, 1910[18][19] – 6 Jun, 1911[20] 		Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Arthur Hayes-Sadler 		Captain of H.M.S. Hannibal
6 Jun, 1911[21][22] – 22 Oct, 1913[23] 		Succeeded by
Charles F. Corbett
Preceded by
Robert E. Vaughan 		Captain of H.M.S. Brilliant
13 Sep, 1914[24][25] – 1 Oct, 1915[26] 		Succeeded by
Colin K. MacLean

 

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26121. p. 4. 2 January, 1891.
  2. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  3. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 30 January, 1904. Issue 37304, col D, p. 12.
  4. ↑ James. The Sky was Always Blue. p. 52.
  5. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  6. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  7. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  8. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  9. ↑ Kindell. Royal Navy Roll of Honour Part 2. p. 426.
  10. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  11. ↑ The Western Daily Press (Saturday, 17 November 1917), p. 5.
  12. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  13. ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1907). p. 356.
  14. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  15. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  16. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1909). p. 372.
  17. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  18. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  19. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 350.
  20. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  21. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  22. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1913). p. 322.
  23. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  24. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.
  25. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 392m.
  26. ↑ Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/403. f. 482.

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