Henry Frederick Stephenson
Admiral SIR Henry Frederick Stephenson, G.C.V.O., K.C.B., Royal Navy (7 June, 1842 – 16 December, 1919) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
Early Life & Career
Stephenson was born on 7 June, 1842, the son of Henry F. Stephenson and Lady Mary Stephenson, a daughter of the Fourth Earl of Albemarle. During the Crimean War he entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in February, 1855 and was appointed to the St. Jean d'Acre, commanded by his uncle, the Hon. Henry Keppel, in the Black Sea Fleet. He was present at the capture of Kertch and other operations in the Sea of Azov. In July of that year he was appointed to the naval brigade now commanded by his uncle, and took part in the final stage of the successful besieging of Sevastopol. In September, 1856 he joined the Raleigh on the China Station, and after that ship was wrecked he took part in operations in the Canton River. He was then appointed to the Pearl, which went to Calcutta on the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, arriving there on 11 August. He joined the naval brigade commanded by Captain Sotheby and served as his Aide-de-Camp, serving in every engagement the brigade took part in over the next eighteen months. He was several times mentioned in despatches, especially for his actions at the Fort of Chandeoport in Oude, on 17 February, 1858.
He was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria on 1 January, 1888, vice Tracey.[1]
On the occasion of the Queen's birthday, Stephenson was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 23 May, 1889.[2]
Flag Rank
Stephenson was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 4 August, 1890, vice Ward.[3]
Stephenson was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral dated 10 October, 1896, vice Fremantle.[4]
In the Queen's Diamond Jubilee honours, Stephenson was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 22 June, 1897.[5]
Stephenson was promoted to the rank of Admiral dated 7 December, 1901, vice Adeane.[6]
He was appointed a Knight Grand Cross in the Royal Victorian Order (G.C.V.O.) on 2 November, 1902.[7]
In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 22 February, 1870, he was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 1 September, 1904, upon being appointed Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod.[8]
Bibliography
- "Death of 'Black Rod'" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 17 December, 1919. Issue 42285, col F, p. 16.
Papers
- Papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum. For a detailed list see Stephenson Papers at the National Maritime Museum.
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/86.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/37.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/14.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by ? |
Captain of H.M.S. Carysfort 15 Sep, 1880[9] – 14 Dec, 1883 |
Succeeded by Arthur E. Dupuis |
| Preceded by Alexander Buller |
Captain of H.M.S. Achilles 10 Mar, 1885 – 7 May, 1885 |
Succeeded by David L. Dickson |
| Preceded by Charles S. Donner |
Captain of H.M.S. Thunderer 7 May, 1885[10] – Sep, 1886 |
Succeeded by Walter Stewart |
| Preceded by Frederick G. D. Bedford |
Captain of H.M.S. Dreadnought Sep, 1886 – 12 Dec, 1887 |
Succeeded by Noel S. F. Digby |
| Preceded by Charles F. Hotham |
Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station 4 May, 1893[11] |
Succeeded by Henry St. L. Bury Palliser |
| Preceded by The Rt. Hon. Lord Walter Kerr |
Senior Officer in Command, Channel Squadron 7 Jun, 1897[12] |
Succeeded by Sir Harry H. Rawson |
| Court Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Sir Edward H. Seymour |
First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp 28 Mar, 1903 |
Succeeded by The Rt. Hon. The Lord Fisher |
Footnotes
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25774. p. 243. 6 January, 1888.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25939. p. 2873. 25 May, 1889.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26076. p. 4282. 5 August, 1890.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26787. p. 5724. 20 October, 1896.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26867. p. 3568. 25 June, 1897.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27387. p. 8838. 13 December, 1901.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 27493. p. 7161. 9 November, 1902.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27715. p. 6044. 20 September, 1904.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1881). p. 200.
- ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1885). p. 241.
- ↑ Clowes. The Royal Navy. Vol. VII. p. 88.
- ↑ Clowes. The Royal Navy. Vol. VII. p. 89.
