James Charles Tancred

Vice-Admiral (retired) James Charles Tancred (17 September, 1864 – 9 December, 1943) was an officer in the Royal Navy. Prior to 17 October, 1885, his last name as Cleghorn.

Life & Career

Cleghorn was born in Farnham, the son of Captain G. Cleghorn.

Tancred was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant dated 30 June, 1888.

Tancred was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 31 December, 1901.

He was promoted to the rank of Captain dated 30 June, 1908.

In March 1911, he assumed command of the second class protected cruiser Fox.

Tancred was appointed to Marlborough on 27 November, 1913 as she was nearing completion, but he would not be her commissioning officer.

He was appointed command of the armoured cruiser Argyll on 22 June, 1914. On 28 October, 1915, he was in command when the ship ran hard aground in fog, resulting in her total loss. He was severely reprimanded in the matter following a Court Martial convened on 10 December, 1915.

Tancred was appointed in command of the armed boarding steamer Stephen Furness on 13 December, 1915 and as King's Harbour Master and Captain of Dockyard at Cromarty. He transferred to Thalia on 9 March, 1916 and remained in her through the end of the war.

He was promoted to Rear-Admiral on 2 August, 1919 and retired the following day.

Tancred was promoted to Vice-Admiral on 1 January, 1925.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/89.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/42.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Robert J. Prendergast	Captain of H.M. T.B. 52 18 Jul, 1889 – 8 Sep, 1889	Succeeded by Philip J. Hodges
Preceded by Herbert Orpen	Captain of H.M.S. Pandora 27 Nov, 1905 – 1 Jan, 1906	Succeeded by Richard Sullivan
Preceded by Thomas L. Barnardiston	Captain of H.M.S. Pelorus 1 Jan, 1906	Succeeded by Arthur W. Craig
Preceded by Owen F. Gillett	King's Harbour Master, Malta 2 Apr, 1908 – 2 Apr, 1910	Succeeded by Hughes C. Lockyer
Preceded by Allen T. Hunt	Captain of H.M.S. Fox 1 Mar, 1911 – 7 Oct, 1912	Succeeded by Francis W. Caulfeild
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Marlborough 27 Nov, 1913 – 25 May, 1914	Succeeded by Edmund P. F. G. Grant
Preceded by E. Percy F. G. Grant	Captain of H.M.S. King Edward VII 25 May, 1914 – 22 Jun, 1914	Succeeded by Crawford Maclachlan
Preceded by Vivian H. G. Bernard	Captain of H.M.S. Argyll 22 Jun, 1914 – 28 Oct, 1915	Succeeded by Vessel Lost
Preceded by Henry W. Simms	King's Harbour Master, Cromarty 13 Dec, 1915 – 24 Jan, 1919	Succeeded by Morgan Tindal
Preceded by ?	Captain of Dockyard, Cromarty 13 Dec, 1915 – 24 Jan, 1919	Succeeded by ?