Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Somerset Gough-Calthorpe, seen as a Rear-Admiral.
Photo: Library of Congress.

Admiral of the Fleet SIR Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., C.V.O., Royal Navy (23 December, 1864 – 27 July, 1937) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe, the younger son of Somerset Frederick, seventh Lord Calthorpe, by his wife, Eliza Maria, only child of Captain Frederick Chamier, R.N., and widow of Captain Frederick Crewe, was born in London 23 December 1864.

Calthorpe entered the Royal Navy from the training ship Britannia in 1878. He soon made his mark, gaining special promotion to lieutenant in 1886 for meritorious examinations. In 1887 he was posted to the Vernon in order to qualify in torpedoes. He was promoted to Commander in 1896 for active service on the Africa station; he served in the latter rank for six years, five of which were spent at sea, and was promoted Captain in 1902. As a captain he was for three years naval attaché to Russia, Sweden, and Norway, after which he commanded the cruiser Roxburgh, the battleship Hindustan, and was Captain of the Fleet (Commodore, First class) of the Home Fleet until his promotion to Rear-Admiral on 27 August, 1911, vice Simons. He was Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron (1912–1913) with his flag in the St. Vincent, Rear- and Vice-Admiral in command of the Second Cruiser Squadron (1914–1916) (flag in the Shannon), Second Sea Lord and Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves (1916–1917), and British Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean (1917–1919) (flag in the Egmont, Superb, and Iron Duke). He was promoted to Admiral in 1919 and was Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, from 1920 to 1923. In July, 1924 he became First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V and held this, his last service appointment, until his promotion to Admiral of the Fleet in May 1925. This was an exceptional record of continuous service and testifies to the esteem in which he was held by his superior officers afloat and at the Admiralty. As a lieutenant he was perhaps fortunate in seeing active service when such opportunities were rare. As commander he was a highly successful executive officer, and as captain he was noted for handling his ships well and for getting the best results from his officers and men.

Having spent part of his boyhood in France Calthorpe spoke French fluently and was a student of French history. This was to prove a great asset to him when naval attaché in Russia and in the high appointments which he held later. When Captain of the Fleet to Sir William Henry May, who initiated great advances in the battle tactics of a modern fleet, he was an invaluable adviser and assistant to his chief, who made handsome acknowledgement of the fact. In 1912, as a result of the Titanic disaster, a Board of Trade committee was appointed to make recommendations for the increased safety of life at sea. J. C. Bigham, Viscount Mersey, was president and Calthorpe was the Admiralty's representative. Their conclusions were of great practical value and were adopted and passed into law without delay or amendment.

Great War

On 1 January, 1916, he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.).

On 26 April, 1917, Gough-Calthorpe was confirmed in the rank of Vice-Admiral. On 8 August, 1917, Gough-Calthorpe was appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, and assumed command on 26 August.

On 22 October, 1918 Calthorpe was empowered by the Admiralty to conclude an armistice with Turkey, acting as sole negotiator on behalf of all the Allies.

Post-War

Gough-Calthorpe was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 31 July, 1919, in place of Sir Henry Jackson, promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

Gough-Calthorpe was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on 8 May, 1925.

The events of the 1905 Russian Revolution affected both Gough-Calthorpe and his wife deeply and the aftermath stayed with her for many years afterwards, "the great tragedy of his life," his Secretary later recalled. He died at Ryde on 27 July, 1937.

There is a portrait of Calthorpe by Philip Connard, painted on board the Superb in 1919, at the Imperial War Museum.

Bibliography

• "Sir Somerset Gough Calthorpe" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 28 July, 1934. Issue 47748, col B, pg. 16.

Images

• 1918 Philip Connard portrait in the possession of the Imperial War Museum, Catalogue Number IWM ART 2494.

Service Record

• The National Archives. ADM 196/42.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/20.

Naval Offices
Preceded by A. Gordon H. W. Moore	Captain of the Fleet, Home Fleet 1909 – 1911	Succeeded by William O. Boothby
Preceded by Charles E. Madden	Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron 1912 – 1913	Succeeded by Hugh Evan-Thomas
Preceded by Charles E. Madden	Vice-Admiral Commanding, Second Cruiser Squadron 1914 – 1916	Succeeded by Herbert L. Heath
Preceded by Sir Frederick T. Hamilton	Second Sea Lord 1916	Succeeded by Sir Cecil Burney
Preceded by The Hon. Sir Alexander E. Bethell	Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves 1916 – 1917	Succeeded by Sir Cecil F. Thursby
Preceded by New Command	Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean 1917 – 1919	Succeeded by Sir John M. de Robeck
Preceded by Sir Cecil Burney	Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth 1920 – 1923	Succeeded by Sir Sydney R. Fremantle