William Christopher Pakenham: Difference between revisions

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[[File:William Pakenham Dodd Portrait.JPG|thumb|right|350px|Sir William C. Pakenham, portrayed as a Rear-Admiral, June, 1917.<br><small>Portrait: Francis Dodd.</small>]]
[[File:Pakenham, NPG x65817.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Admiral Sir William C. Pakenham, as Vice-Admiral, 1919.<br><small>© National Portrait Gallery, London.</small>]]


[[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] {{SIR}} '''William Christopher Pakenham''', G.C.B., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., Royal Navy (10 July, 1861 &ndash; 28 July, 1933) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].
[[Admiral (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] {{SIR}} '''William Christopher Pakenham''', {{Post-Nominals|country=GBR-cats|G.C.B.m|K.C.M.G.|K.C.V.O.}}, R.N. (10 July, 1861 &ndash; 28 July, 1933) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].


==Life & Career==
==Early Life & Career==
William Christopher Pakenham was born in London on 10 July, 1861, the son of Captain the Honourable Thomas Alexander Pakenham, Royal Navy, and Sophia, daughter of Sir Tatton Sykes.  His paternal grandfather was Thomas Pakenham, Third Earl of Longford.  He entered the Royal Navy and was appointed to the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] on 15 July, 1874.  He was discharged to the ''Duke of Wellington'' on 22 July, 1876, and appointed to the battleship ''Minotaur'' on 24 August.  On 4 October he was appointed to the turret ship ''Monarch'' on the [[Mediterranean Station]], and was rated {{MidRN}} on 21 October.  He was appointed to the frigate ''Raleigh'' on 19 May, 1877.  While in the ''Raleigh'' he, with a coxswain, saved the life of an able seaman who fell overboard as the ship was leaving Lanarca, Cyprus.  On 18 September, 1879 he was appointed to the sloop ''Cruiser''.  On 12 March, 1880 he was appointed to the Mediterranean flag ship ''Alexandra'', in which he was senior midshipman, and on 21 October, 1880, he was appointed Acting {{SubRN}}, having obtained a First Class Certificate in Seamanship, with 940 marks.  He was appointed to [[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|''Excellent'']] on 23 October to study for examinations for the rank of {{LieutRN}}.  He joined the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]] in December, and remained there until August, 1881.
William Christopher Pakenham was born in London on 10 July, 1861, the son of Captain the Honourable Thomas Alexander Pakenham, Royal Navy, and Sophia, daughter of Sir Tatton Sykes.  His paternal grandfather was Thomas Pakenham, Third Earl of Longford.  He entered the Royal Navy and was appointed to the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] on 15 July, 1874.  He was discharged to the {{UK-DukeOfWellington}} on 22 July, 1876, and appointed to the battleship ''Minotaur'' on 24 August.  On 4 October he was appointed to the turret ship ''Monarch'' on the [[Mediterranean Station]], and was rated {{MidRN}} on 21 October.  He was appointed to the frigate ''Raleigh'' on 19 May, 1877.  While in the ''Raleigh'' he, with a coxswain, saved the life of an able seaman who fell overboard as the ship was leaving Lanarca, Cyprus.  On 18 September, 1879 he was appointed to the sloop ''Cruiser''.  On 12 March, 1880 he was appointed to the Mediterranean flag ship {{UK-1Alexandra}}, in which he was senior midshipman, and on 21 October, 1880, he was appointed Acting {{SubRN}}, having obtained a First Class Certificate in Seamanship, with 940 marks.  He was appointed to [[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|''Excellent'']] on 23 October to study for examinations for the rank of {{LieutRN}}.  He joined the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]] in December, and remained there until August, 1881.


He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 21 October, 1883.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25282/pages/5090 no. 25282.  p. 5090.]  26 October, 1883.</ref>
On 28 January, 1882, he was appointed to the ''Lion'' for service in the training brig ''Liberty''. On 8 December he was appointed to the ''Alexandra'' in the Mediterranean.<ref>ADM 196/20.  f. 238.</ref>


Pakenham was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1896.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26757/pages/3978 no. 26757. p. 3978.] 10 July, 1896.</ref>
Pakenham was appointed to the ''Canada'' on the [[North America and West Indies Station]] as senior member of the gun-room on 1 May, 1883.<ref>ADM 196/42.  f. 13.</ref>  A junior midshipman in the mess, [[Sydney Robert Fremantle|Sydney R. Fremantle]], later suggested that Pakenham had been chosen for the task by the Reverend Canon Dalton on account of [[George V|H.R.H. Prince George]] being appointed to the ship.  Fremantle also wrote of Pakenham:
 
<blockquote>He ruled us - one other sub-lieut., a clerk, & 7 midshipmen, as a benevolent autocrat, & very strictly as regards personal appearance, demeanour & good manners.  In the hottest West Indies weather we were not allowed in the mess without a jacket, while the midshipmen in the other corvettes wore, after working hours, a vest & a towel!<ref>Fremantle to [[Vincent Wilberforce Baddeley|Baddeley]].  Letter of 4 November, 1945.  Baddeley Papers.  National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth.  MSS 264.</ref></blockquote>
 
==Lieutenant==
He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 21 October, 1883.{{Gaz|25282|5090|26 October, 1883}}
 
On 12 November, 1884, Pakenham was appointed to ''Nelson'' as Flag Lieutenant to [[George Tryon]], Commander-in-Chief on the [[Australian Station]].{{NLSep85|p. 225}}
 
In the Jubilee Review of 1887, Pakenham was appointed to ''Vernon'' for command of {{UK-1TB29}}, commanding her on manoeuvres from 1 July.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 2 July, 1887.  Issue '''32114''', col C, p. 12.</ref>
 
Leaving the torpedo boat in September, Pakenham ended the year with a short course in gunnery at {{UK-Excellent|f=p}}. He then applied that experience as gunnery officer in {{UK-1Calypso}} from April, 1888 to September, 1890 (loaned to {{UK-1Medusa}} for the annual manoeuvres in 1889) and finally four years in {{UK-Garnet}}, ending in September 1894.<ref>Pakenham Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/88.}}  f. 13.</ref>
 
Pakenham returned to ''Excellent'' to re-qualify in gunnery and torpedoes on 27 October, 1894, emerging on 7 January, 1895.  He was then appointed to {{UK-1Sybille}}, though not as gunnery officer, from 8 January, 1895 to 6 August, 1896.<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20.}}  f. 238.</ref>
 
Pakenham was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1896.{{Gaz|26757|3978|10 July, 1896}}


==Captain==
==Captain==
Pakenham was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1903.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27572/pages/4187 no. 27572.  p. 4187.]  3 July, 1903.</ref> On 30 September he was appointed to ''President'' for a [[Royal Naval War College|War Course]], for which he was awarded a First Class on 28 December.  That day he was appointed to the Naval Intelligence Department on Committee Pay & Allowances.  On 20 January, 1904 he was appointed to the battleship [[H.M.S. Glory (1896)|''Glory'']] on the China Station for Special Service, and on 14 March he became Naval Attaché for China and Japan.  He retained this appointment until 1 January, 1906.
Pakenham was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1903.{{Gaz|27572|4187|3 July, 1903}} On 30 September he was appointed to ''President'' for a [[Royal Naval War College|War Course]], for which he was awarded a First Class on 28 December.  That day he was appointed to the Naval Intelligence Department on Committee Pay & Allowances.  On 20 January, 1904 he was appointed to the battleship [[H.M.S. Glory (1899)|''Glory'']] on the China Station for Special Service, and on 14 March he became Naval Attaché for China and Japan.  In this capacity, he found himself present at the [[Battle of Tsushima]] aboard ''Asahi''.{{CN}}  His appointment as attaché ended on 1 January, 1906.


On 31 August, 1906, he was appointed in command of the armoured cruiser [[H.M.S. Antrim (1903)|''Antrim'']] in the [[Second Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Second Cruiser Squadron]].  He was superseded in command on 1 September, 1908, and on 8 September took command of the ''Glory'' in the Mediterranean.  On 29 March, 1909 he was given command of the second-class battleship [[H.M.S. Triumph (1903)|''Triumph'']].  On 19 January, 1910, he was appointed to ''Vivid'' for command of the new dreadnought battleship [[H.M.S. Collingwood (1908)|''Collingwood'']], building at [[Devonport Royal Dockyard]].  He commissioned her on 19 April, and was superseded in command on 1 December, 1911.  On 5 December, he was appointed [[Fourth Sea Lord]] on the [[Board of Admiralty]].
On 31 August, 1906, he was appointed in command of the armoured cruiser [[H.M.S. Antrim (1903)|''Antrim'']]<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/42.  f. 13.</ref> in the {{UK-CS|2}}.  He was superseded in command on 1 September, 1908, and on 8 September again took command of the his old ship ''Glory'' in the Mediterranean.{{NLOct08|p. 321}} On 29 March, 1909 he was given command of the second-class battleship [[H.M.S. Triumph (1903)|''Triumph'']].{{CN}} On 19 January, 1910, he was appointed to ''Vivid'' for command of the new dreadnought battleship [[H.M.S. Collingwood (1908)|''Collingwood'']],<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  The National Archives.  ADM 196/42.  f. 13.</ref> building at [[Devonport Royal Dockyard]].  He commissioned her on 19 April, and was superseded in command on 1 December, 1911.  On 20 November of that year he had been offered the position of [[Fourth Sea Lord]] on the [[Board of Admiralty]] by [[Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill|Winston L. S. Churchill]], the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]].<ref>Churchill to Pakenham. Letter of 20 November, 1911. Pakenham papers. National Maritime Museum. PKM/4/2.</ref> He took up the position on 5 December. In March, 1913, he was so concerned by Churchill's refusal to support "adequate measures for safe-guarding the oil-fuel position" that he wrote out a letter of resignation.<ref>Pakenham to Churchill. Letter of 28 March, 1913. Pakenham papers. National Maritime Museum. PKM/4/4.</ref>


==Flag Rank==
==Flag Rank==
Pakenham was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 4 June, 1913, vice [[Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram|Jerram]].<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28726/pages/3992 no. 28726.  p. 3992.]  6 June, 1913.</ref> On 19 December he hoisted his flag in [[H.M.S. Boadicea (1908)|''Boadicea'']] as Rear-Admiral Commanding the [[Third Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Third Cruiser Squadron]], and transferred it to [[H.M.S. Antrim (1903)|''Antrim'']] the following day.
Pakenham was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 4 June, 1913, vice [[Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram|Jerram]].{{Gaz|28726|3992|6 June, 1913}} On 19 December he hoisted his flag in [[H.M.S. Boadicea (1908)|''Boadicea'']] as Rear-Admiral Commanding the [[Third Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Third Cruiser Squadron]], and transferred it to [[H.M.S. Antrim (1903)|''Antrim'']] the following day.
 
==Great War==
As ordered by First Lord of the Admiralty,<ref>S-1320b Signal dated 3.6.15 in Jackson Papers at NMM.</ref> Pakenham assumed command of the {{UK-BCS|2}} on 7 March, 1915.{{UKCeased|f. 10}}
 
On 15 September, 1916 he was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) dated 31 May.{{GazSup|29751|9070|15 September, 1916}}
 
He was appointed in command of the [[Battle Cruiser Force]] in November 1916, assuming command on the 29th.{{SMNLJan17|p. 6}}


He was confirmed in the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 September, 1918.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30887/pages/10549 no. 30887.  p. 10549.]  6 September, 1918.</ref>
He was confirmed in the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 September, 1918.{{Gaz|30887|10549|6 September, 1918}}


==Post-War==
==Post-War==
He was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on 6 April, 1922, vice [[Robert Stewart Phipps Hornby|Phipps Hornby]].<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32672/pages/3030 no. 32672.  p. 3030.]  14 April, 1922.</ref> He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 1 March, 1926.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33139/pages/1650 no. 33139.  p. 1650.]  5 March, 1926.</ref>
On 1 January, 1919, Pakenham was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (K.C.M.G.).  He struck his flag in command of the Battle Cruiser Fleet on 28 February and on 1 August was appointed President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.<ref>ADM 196/42.  f. 311.</ref>


==Footnotes==
He was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the North America and West Indies Station on 25 October, 1920, and was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on 6 April, 1922, vice [[Robert Stewart Phipps Hornby|Phipps Hornby]].{{Gaz|32672|3030|14 April, 1922}}  He was superseded in command of the North American station on 1 January, 1923.<ref>ADM 196/42.  f. 311.</ref> He was placed on the Retired List, at his own request, on 1 March, 1926.{{Gaz|33139|1650|5 March, 1926}}
{{reflist}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*"Admiral Sir William Pakenham" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 31 July, 1933.  Issue '''46510''', col A, pg. 7.
*"Admiral Sir William Pakenham" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 31 July, 1933.  Issue '''46510''', col A, p. 7.
*Lowis, Commander Geoffrey L. (1959).  ''Fabulous Admirals and Some Naval Fragments''.  London: Putnam.
* {{LowisFabulousAdmirals}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


==Papers==
==Papers==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*[http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/archive/catalogue/record.cfm?ID=PKM Papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.]
*[http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/486188.html Papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.] For a detailed list see [[Pakenham Papers at the National Maritime Museum]].
*Papers in the possession of the East Riding Archives and Local Studies Service.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Line 44: Line 66:
==Service Records==
==Service Records==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7917445&queryType=1&resultcount=2 ADM 196/42.]
*{{TNA|ADM 196/88.|D8115388}}
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7905963&queryType=1&resultcount=2 ADM 196/20.]
*{{TNA|ADM 196/42.|D8112165}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/20.|D7590486}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 29 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 29]]'''<br>1 Jul, 1887<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 2 July, 1887.  Issue '''32114''', col C, p. 12.</ref> &ndash; 19 Aug, 1887<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20.}} f. 238.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lionel Herbert Hordern|Lionel H. Hordern]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles William Winnington-Ingram|Charles W. Winnington-Ingram]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Daphne (1888)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Daphne'']]'''<br>15 May, 1901<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Warrington Hewett|William W. Hewett]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Albion (1898)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Albion'']]'''<br>30 Jan, 1902<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram|Thomas H. M. Jerram]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Godfrey Harry Brydges Mundy|Godfrey H. B. Mundy]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Barham (1889)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Barham'']]'''<br>19 Jul, 1902<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref> &ndash; 6 Dec, 1902<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Anthony Francis Gurney|Anthony F. Gurney]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Fitzmaurice Inglefield|Edward F. Inglefield]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Antrim (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Antrim'']]'''<br>31 Aug, 1906{{NLJan08|p. 278}}<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref> &ndash; 1 Sep, 1908<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert Francis Boyle|The Hon. Robert F. Boyle]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Stewart Phipps Hornby|Robert S. Phipps Hornby]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Glory (1899)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Glory'']]'''<br>8 Sep, 1908{{NLOct08|p. 321}}<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref> &ndash; 29 Mar, 1909<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edmund Radcliffe Pears|Edmund R. Pears]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edmund Radcliffe Pears|Edmund R. Pears]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Triumph (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Triumph'']]'''<br>29 Mar, 1909<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref> &ndash; 25 Dec, 1909<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis George Eyre|Francis G. Eyre]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Collingwood (1908)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Collingwood'']]'''<br>19 Jan, 1910<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>{{NLApr11|p. 294}} &ndash; 1 Dec, 1911<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Lionel Vaughan-Lee|Charles L. Vaughan-Lee]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Charles E. Madden]]'''|'''[[Fourth Sea Lord|Fourth Sea Lord]]'''<br>5 Dec, 1911<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref> &ndash; 1 Dec, 1913<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cecil Foley Lambert|Cecil F. Lambert]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Charles E. Madden]]'''|'''[[Third Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Third Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>1 Dec, 1913<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 13.</ref> &ndash; 7 Mar, 1915<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/88.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Lowther Grant|William L. Grant]]'''<br><small>as '''Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third Cruiser Squadron'''</small>}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George Edwin Patey|Sir George E. Patey]]'''|'''[[Second Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Second Battle Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>7 Mar, 1915{{UKCeased|f. 10}}<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref> &ndash; 29 Nov, 1916<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Cavenagh Leveson|Arthur C. Leveson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George Edwin Patey|George E. Patey]]'''<br><small>as '''Vice-Admiral Commanding the Australian Fleet'''</small>|'''[[Australian Station|Rear-Admiral Commanding the Australian Fleet]]'''<br>1915{{CN}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Cavenagh Leveson|Arthur C. Leveson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|Sir David R. Beatty]]'''<br><small>as '''Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Fleet'''</small>|'''[[Battle Cruiser Force|Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Force]]'''<br>29 Nov, 1916{{UKCeased|f. 8}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Sir Henry B. Jackson]]'''|'''[[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich]]'''<br>1 Aug, 1919<ref>Pakenham Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20.}}  f. 619.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Tudor Tudor|Sir Frederick C. T. Tudor]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Trevylyan Dacres Willes Napier|Sir Trevylyan D. W. Napier]]'''|'''[[North America and West Indies Station|Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station]]'''<br>16 Oct, 1920<ref>"Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 22 September, 1920.  Issue '''42522''', col F, p. 4.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Michael Culme-Seymour, Fourth Baronet|Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart.]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts>
==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pakenham, William Christopher}}


{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="center"
{{CatPerson|UK|1861|1933}}
|-
{{CatBritannia|July, 1874}}
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:#CEDFF2" | '''Naval Offices'''
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
|-
{{CatAdm|UK}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Charles E. Madden]]'''
{{CatInterpreter|UK}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Fourth Sea Lord]]'''<br>1911 &ndash; 1913
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cecil Foley Lambert|Cecil F. Lambert]]'''
|-
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Charles E. Madden]]'''
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Third Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding,<br>Third Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>1913 &ndash; 1915
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Lowther Grant|William L. Grant]]'''
|-
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Archibald Gordon Henry Wilson Moore|Sir A. Gordon H. W. Moore]]'''
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Second Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding,<br>Second Battle Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>1915 &ndash; 1916
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Cavenagh Leveson|Arthur C. Leveson]]'''
|-
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[David Beatty, First Earl Beatty|Sir David Beatty]]'''
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Battle Cruiser Force|Vice-Admiral Commanding,<br>Battle Cruiser Force]]'''<br>1916 &ndash; 1919
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]]'''
|-
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Sir Henry B. Jackson]]'''
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich]]'''<br>1919 &ndash; 1920
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Tudor Tudor|Sir Frederick C. T. Tudor]]'''
|-
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Trevylyan Dacres Willes Napier|Sir Trevylyan D. W. Napier]]'''
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[North America and West Indies Station|Commander-in-Chief on the North America and West Indies Station]]'''<br>1920 &ndash; 1923
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Michael Culme-Seymour, Fourth Baronet|Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart.]]'''
|-
|}


[[Category:1861 births|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Royal Navy Officers Educated at Stubbington House School]]
[[Category:1933 deaths|Pakenham]]
{{CatRN}}
[[Category:Personalities|Pakenham]]
[[Category:H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship) Entrants of July, 1874|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Royal Navy Gunnery Officers|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Antrim (1903)|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Glory (1899)|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Triumph (1903)|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Collingwood (1908)|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Fourth Sea Lords|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Rear-Admirals Commanding, Third Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Rear-Admirals Commanding, Second Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Vice-Admirals Commanding, Battle Cruiser Force|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Royal Navy Admirals|Pakenham]]
[[Category:Royal Navy Flag Officers|Pakenham]]

Latest revision as of 15:58, 7 April 2022

Admiral Sir William C. Pakenham, as Vice-Admiral, 1919.
© National Portrait Gallery, London.

Admiral SIR William Christopher Pakenham, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., R.N. (10 July, 1861 – 28 July, 1933) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

William Christopher Pakenham was born in London on 10 July, 1861, the son of Captain the Honourable Thomas Alexander Pakenham, Royal Navy, and Sophia, daughter of Sir Tatton Sykes. His paternal grandfather was Thomas Pakenham, Third Earl of Longford. He entered the Royal Navy and was appointed to the training ship Britannia on 15 July, 1874. He was discharged to the Duke of Wellington on 22 July, 1876, and appointed to the battleship Minotaur on 24 August. On 4 October he was appointed to the turret ship Monarch on the Mediterranean Station, and was rated Midshipman on 21 October. He was appointed to the frigate Raleigh on 19 May, 1877. While in the Raleigh he, with a coxswain, saved the life of an able seaman who fell overboard as the ship was leaving Lanarca, Cyprus. On 18 September, 1879 he was appointed to the sloop Cruiser. On 12 March, 1880 he was appointed to the Mediterranean flag ship Alexandra, in which he was senior midshipman, and on 21 October, 1880, he was appointed Acting Sub-Lieutenant, having obtained a First Class Certificate in Seamanship, with 940 marks. He was appointed to Excellent on 23 October to study for examinations for the rank of Lieutenant. He joined the Royal Naval College, Greenwich in December, and remained there until August, 1881.

On 28 January, 1882, he was appointed to the Lion for service in the training brig Liberty. On 8 December he was appointed to the Alexandra in the Mediterranean.[1]

Pakenham was appointed to the Canada on the North America and West Indies Station as senior member of the gun-room on 1 May, 1883.[2] A junior midshipman in the mess, Sydney R. Fremantle, later suggested that Pakenham had been chosen for the task by the Reverend Canon Dalton on account of H.R.H. Prince George being appointed to the ship. Fremantle also wrote of Pakenham:

He ruled us - one other sub-lieut., a clerk, & 7 midshipmen, as a benevolent autocrat, & very strictly as regards personal appearance, demeanour & good manners. In the hottest West Indies weather we were not allowed in the mess without a jacket, while the midshipmen in the other corvettes wore, after working hours, a vest & a towel![3]

Lieutenant

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 21 October, 1883.[4]

On 12 November, 1884, Pakenham was appointed to Nelson as Flag Lieutenant to George Tryon, Commander-in-Chief on the Australian Station.[5]

In the Jubilee Review of 1887, Pakenham was appointed to Vernon for command of T.B. 29, commanding her on manoeuvres from 1 July.[6]

Leaving the torpedo boat in September, Pakenham ended the year with a short course in gunnery at H.M.S. Excellent. He then applied that experience as gunnery officer in Calypso from April, 1888 to September, 1890 (loaned to Medusa for the annual manoeuvres in 1889) and finally four years in Garnet, ending in September 1894.[7]

Pakenham returned to Excellent to re-qualify in gunnery and torpedoes on 27 October, 1894, emerging on 7 January, 1895. He was then appointed to Sybille, though not as gunnery officer, from 8 January, 1895 to 6 August, 1896.[8]

Pakenham was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1896.[9]

Captain

Pakenham was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1903.[10] On 30 September he was appointed to President for a War Course, for which he was awarded a First Class on 28 December. That day he was appointed to the Naval Intelligence Department on Committee Pay & Allowances. On 20 January, 1904 he was appointed to the battleship Glory on the China Station for Special Service, and on 14 March he became Naval Attaché for China and Japan. In this capacity, he found himself present at the Battle of Tsushima aboard Asahi.[Citation needed] His appointment as attaché ended on 1 January, 1906.

On 31 August, 1906, he was appointed in command of the armoured cruiser Antrim[11] in the Second Cruiser Squadron. He was superseded in command on 1 September, 1908, and on 8 September again took command of the his old ship Glory in the Mediterranean.[12] On 29 March, 1909 he was given command of the second-class battleship Triumph.[Citation needed] On 19 January, 1910, he was appointed to Vivid for command of the new dreadnought battleship Collingwood,[13] building at Devonport Royal Dockyard. He commissioned her on 19 April, and was superseded in command on 1 December, 1911. On 20 November of that year he had been offered the position of Fourth Sea Lord on the Board of Admiralty by Winston L. S. Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty.[14] He took up the position on 5 December. In March, 1913, he was so concerned by Churchill's refusal to support "adequate measures for safe-guarding the oil-fuel position" that he wrote out a letter of resignation.[15]

Flag Rank

Pakenham was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 4 June, 1913, vice Jerram.[16] On 19 December he hoisted his flag in Boadicea as Rear-Admiral Commanding the Third Cruiser Squadron, and transferred it to Antrim the following day.

Great War

As ordered by First Lord of the Admiralty,[17] Pakenham assumed command of the Second Battle Cruiser Squadron on 7 March, 1915.[18]

On 15 September, 1916 he was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) dated 31 May.[19]

He was appointed in command of the Battle Cruiser Force in November 1916, assuming command on the 29th.[20]

He was confirmed in the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 September, 1918.[21]

Post-War

On 1 January, 1919, Pakenham was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (K.C.M.G.). He struck his flag in command of the Battle Cruiser Fleet on 28 February and on 1 August was appointed President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.[22]

He was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the North America and West Indies Station on 25 October, 1920, and was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 6 April, 1922, vice Phipps Hornby.[23] He was superseded in command of the North American station on 1 January, 1923.[24] He was placed on the Retired List, at his own request, on 1 March, 1926.[25]

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir William Pakenham" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 31 July, 1933. Issue 46510, col A, p. 7.
  • Lowis, Commander Geoffrey (1959). Fabulous Admirals and Some Naval Fragments: Being a Brief Account of some of the Froth on those Characters who Enlivened the Royal Navy a Generation or Two Ago. London: Putnam.

Papers

Images

  • 1920 William Nicholson portrait in the possession of the Imperial War Museum. Catalogue Number 3142.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 29
1 Jul, 1887[26] – 19 Aug, 1887[27] 		Succeeded by
Lionel H. Hordern
Preceded by
Charles W. Winnington-Ingram 		Captain of H.M.S. Daphne
15 May, 1901[28] 		Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
William W. Hewett 		Captain of H.M.S. Albion
30 Jan, 1902[29] 		Succeeded by
Thomas H. M. Jerram
Preceded by
Godfrey H. B. Mundy 		Captain of H.M.S. Barham
19 Jul, 1902[30] – 6 Dec, 1902[31] 		Succeeded by
Anthony F. Gurney
Preceded by
Edward F. Inglefield 		Captain of H.M.S. Antrim
31 Aug, 1906[32][33] – 1 Sep, 1908[34] 		Succeeded by
The Hon. Robert F. Boyle
Preceded by
Robert S. Phipps Hornby 		Captain of H.M.S. Glory
8 Sep, 1908[35][36] – 29 Mar, 1909[37] 		Succeeded by
Edmund R. Pears
Preceded by
Edmund R. Pears 		Captain of H.M.S. Triumph
29 Mar, 1909[38] – 25 Dec, 1909[39] 		Succeeded by
Francis G. Eyre
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Collingwood
19 Jan, 1910[40][41] – 1 Dec, 1911[42] 		Succeeded by
Charles L. Vaughan-Lee
Preceded by
Charles E. Madden 		Fourth Sea Lord
5 Dec, 1911[43] – 1 Dec, 1913[44] 		Succeeded by
Cecil F. Lambert
Preceded by
Charles E. Madden 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, Third Cruiser Squadron
1 Dec, 1913[45] – 7 Mar, 1915[46] 		Succeeded by
William L. Grant
as Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third Cruiser Squadron
Preceded by
Sir George E. Patey 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, Second Battle Cruiser Squadron
7 Mar, 1915[47][48] – 29 Nov, 1916[49] 		Succeeded by
Arthur C. Leveson
Preceded by
George E. Patey
as Vice-Admiral Commanding the Australian Fleet 		Rear-Admiral Commanding the Australian Fleet
1915[Citation needed] 		Succeeded by
Arthur C. Leveson
Preceded by
Sir David R. Beatty
as Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Fleet 		Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Force
29 Nov, 1916[50] 		Succeeded by
Sir Henry F. Oliver
Preceded by
Sir Henry B. Jackson 		President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich
1 Aug, 1919[51] 		Succeeded by
Sir Frederick C. T. Tudor
Preceded by
Sir Trevylyan D. W. Napier 		Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station
16 Oct, 1920[52] 		Succeeded by
Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ ADM 196/20. f. 238.
  2. ↑ ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  3. ↑ Fremantle to Baddeley. Letter of 4 November, 1945. Baddeley Papers. National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth. MSS 264.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25282. p. 5090. 26 October, 1883.
  5. ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1885). p. 225.
  6. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 2 July, 1887. Issue 32114, col C, p. 12.
  7. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/88. f. 13.
  8. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 238.
  9. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26757. p. 3978. 10 July, 1896.
  10. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27572. p. 4187. 3 July, 1903.
  11. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  12. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1908). p. 321.
  13. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  14. ↑ Churchill to Pakenham. Letter of 20 November, 1911. Pakenham papers. National Maritime Museum. PKM/4/2.
  15. ↑ Pakenham to Churchill. Letter of 28 March, 1913. Pakenham papers. National Maritime Museum. PKM/4/4.
  16. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28726. p. 3992. 6 June, 1913.
  17. ↑ S-1320b Signal dated 3.6.15 in Jackson Papers at NMM.
  18. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 10.
  19. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29751. p. 9070. 15 September, 1916.
  20. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1917). p. 6.
  21. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 30887. p. 10549. 6 September, 1918.
  22. ↑ ADM 196/42. f. 311.
  23. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 32672. p. 3030. 14 April, 1922.
  24. ↑ ADM 196/42. f. 311.
  25. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33139. p. 1650. 5 March, 1926.
  26. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 2 July, 1887. Issue 32114, col C, p. 12.
  27. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 238.
  28. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  29. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  30. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  31. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  32. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1908). p. 278.
  33. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  34. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  35. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1908). p. 321.
  36. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  37. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  38. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  39. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  40. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  41. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 294.
  42. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  43. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  44. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  45. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  46. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/88. f. 13.
  47. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 10.
  48. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  49. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 13.
  50. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 8.
  51. ↑ Pakenham Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 619.
  52. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 22 September, 1920. Issue 42522, col F, p. 4.

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