Arthur Craig Waller

Vice-Admiral Arthur Craig Waller, C.B., Royal Navy, Retired (18 June, 1872 – 21 February, 1943) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born Arthur William Craig, the son of the Very Rev. Dean Craig of Clonmacnois.

Craig was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 18 June, 1891. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 18 June, 1892.

On 18 October, 1898, he was informed of Their Lordships' displeasure at his having lost a Gunnery Manual.

He was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 31 December, 1902.

In 1905, while appointed to Excellent for experimental work, he was impressing his superior officers with his ideas in night firing and torpedo boat attack. He also invented range transmitters and indicators.

On 30 June, 1908, Craig was promoted to the rank of Captain.

He was appointed in command of the battleship Albemarle on 29 December, 1913.

Great War

He got off to a rocky start with Orion by sinking an admiral's barge and picket boat on 30 November, 1914. He was encouraged to be more careful in future when mooring boats at the boom.

He commanded the Barham, which operated as flagship of the Fifth Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland.

On 15 September he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) dated 31 May.

On 4 January 1919, Vice-Admiral Sir H. F. Oliver reported that Craig's "character is the very combination of brilliant mental ability with the soundest commonsense and great tact. Has great self-control, excellent judgment; and is broadminded and well informed - and will fill any high command afloat or important post on shore which he may succeed to in the future, with credit and success. Commands the respect and liking of officers and men, and is a good leader. Renown while under his command was very efficient and well organized, and an excellent feeling existed among all ranks."

On 1 February, 1919, Craig was appointed President of the Ordnance Committee. He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 3 November, 1919, vice Hayes-Sadler.

Craig changed his name by Royal License dated 26 February, 1921, pursuant to a direction in the will dated 11 April, 1917 of Edmond Noble Waller of Allenstown, County Meath.

Craig Waller was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 15 March, 1922, and promoted to Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 18 January, 1925.

Personal Life

Craig married Ella Mart in 1910. They had two sons. He was a member of the United Service Club.

See Also

• H.M.S. Barham at the Battle of Jutland

Bibliography

• "Vice-Admiral A. W. Craig Waller" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 24 February, 1943. Issue 49478, col E, p. 7.
• Waller, Vice-Admiral A. Craig, C.B. (November, 1935). "The Fifth Battle Squadron at Jutland". The Journal of the Royal United Service Institution Vol. LXXX (520): pp. 791–799.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/89.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/43.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Frederick C. A. Ogilvy	Captain of H.M. T.B. 75 21 Jul, 1892 – 9 Aug, 1892	Succeeded by Vessel Lost
Preceded by James C. Tancred	Captain of H.M.S. Pelorus 1 Jan, 1908 – 23 Apr, 1909	Succeeded by Richard G. A. W. Stapleton-Cotton
Preceded by Frederick C. T. Tudor	Assistant Director of Naval Ordnance 22 May, 1909 – 22 Nov, 1911	Succeeded by James C. Ley
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Orion 9 Sep, 1911 – 28 Oct, 1913	Succeeded by Frederic C. Dreyer
Preceded by The Hon. Sir Alexander E. Bethell	Captain of H.M.S. Albemarle 29 Dec, 1913 – Jun, 1915[Inference]	Succeeded by Raymond A. Nugent
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Barham 24 Jun, 1915	Succeeded by Henry T. Buller
Preceded by Michael H. Hodges	Captain of H.M.S. Renown 17 Apr, 1918 – 14 Jan, 1919	Succeeded by Ernest A. Taylor
Preceded by Sir Charles F. Hadden as President of the Ordnance Board	President of the Ordnance Committee 1 Feb, 1919	Succeeded by Edward M. Phillpotts