Cecil Stanley Sandford

Rear-Admiral Cecil Stanley Sandford, O.B.E., Royal Navy (12 October, 1888 – 22 October, 1960) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He is notable as being one of the six survivors from the sinking of battlecruiser Invincible at the Battle of Jutland.

Early Life & Career

Cecil Stanley Sandford was born on 12 October, 1888, his father was the Reverend Herbert Sandford of Drogheda, County Louth. He attended the Royal School, Armagh. Sandford took the Competitive Examination for Cadetships in July 1903 and passed. He entered the Royal Navy in September 1903 as a member of the training ship Britannia's September 1903 term.

Sandford was promoted to Midshipman with seniority to 30 January, 1905, and on 15 August, 1905 was appointed to the battleship Dominion.

Sandford was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant with seniority to 15 March, 1908 on 22 December, 1908.

Sandford was appointed to the armoured cruiser Bacchante on 24 July, 1909. While serving in the Bacchante, Sandford was promoted Lieutenant on 8 February, 1910, with seniority to 30 December, 1909. On 5 August of the same year, he was appointed additional to the depôt ship Blenheim for the new destroyer Harpy.

Sandford was appointed to the battlecruiser Invincible on 14 January, 1911, and was reappointed when Invincible recommissioned on May 16.

Sandford was appointed to the torpedo training school Vernon on 7 August, 1912 for qualification for Torpedo Duties. Either upon qualification or shortly thereafter, he was appointed to the pre-dreadnought Duncan as Torpedo Lieutenant on 6 October, 1913.

Sandford returned to the Invincible as Torpedo Lieutenant on 10 July, 1914.

Great War

Sandford remained the Invincible's Torpedo Lieutenant until her loss at the Battle of Jutland. He was stationed in the conning tower at the time of her disaster, escaping through an open hatch. After her sinking, he was rescued with Invincible's five other survivors by the destroyer Badger.

Sandford was appointed to the battleship Warspite as Torpedo Lieutenant on 18 January, 1918.

Sandford was appointed to the light cruiser Birmingham as Torpedo Lieutenant on 5 November, 1920. Birmingham was flagship of C.-in-C. Africa Station, Vice-Admiral Sir William E. Goodenough, so Sandford had the additional assignment of Fleet Torpedo Officer.

Sandford was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1931.

Sandford served as Captain in Charge, Ceylon, from his date of joining, appointed 21 October, 1934. He was superseded on 28 October, 1936.

Sandford was appointed in command of the heavy cruiser Suffolk on 31 December, 1937.

See Also

• H.M.S. Invincible at the Battle of the Falkland Islands
• H.M.S. Invincible at the Battle of Jutland

Bibliography

• "Rear-Adml. C. S. Sandford" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 26 October, 1960. Issue 54912, col D, pg. 15.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by ?	Fleet Torpedo Officer, Africa Station 5 Nov, 1920 – Dec, 1922	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by William H. Gell	Captain of H.M.S. Vampire 6 Sep, 1931 – Jan, 1932	Succeeded by Frank C. Husband-Clutton
Preceded by Percy F. P. Wood	Captain of H.M.S. Hastings Jan, 1932 – c. 31 Mar, 1934	Succeeded by Claude P. Hermon-Hodge
Preceded by ?	Captain in Charge, Ceylon 15 Sep, 1934 – 28 Oct, 1936	Succeeded by Walter H. G. Fallowfield
Preceded by John G. P. Vivian	Captain of H.M.S. Newcastle 12 Jul, 1937 – 17 Jul, 1937	Succeeded by John G. P. Vivian
Preceded by Geoffrey R. B. Back	Captain of H.M.S. Aurora 24 Jul, 1937 – 9 Nov, 1937	Succeeded by Henry D. Pridham-Wippell
Preceded by Henry D. Pridham-Wippell	Captain of H.M.S. Cairo 9 Nov, 1937 – 31 Dec, 1937	Succeeded by Robert F. Elkins
Preceded by Henry C. Phillips	Captain of H.M.S. Suffolk 31 Dec, 1937 – 27 Jul, 1939	Succeeded by John W. Durnford
Preceded by Edye K. Boddam-Whetham	Captain of Chatham Dockyard 31 Jul, 1939 – 9 Jul, 1941	Succeeded by Lawrence F. N. Ommanney
Preceded by Robert D. Oliver	Captain of H.M.S. Iron Duke 4 Mar, 1942 – 24 Mar, 1943	Succeeded by Percival H. G. James