Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)
In Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Commodore, Second Class Charles E. Le Mesurier, 15 May, 1915[1] – 14 August, 1917[2]
- Commodore, Second Class Rudolf W. Bentinck, 14 August, 1917[3] – 26 October, 1918[4]
- Rear-Admiral Allan F. Everett, 26 October, 1918[5] – 9 March, 1919[6]
Second In Command
Dates of appointment given:
- Captain Cyril S. Townsend, 5 January, 1918[7] – 25 January, 1919[8]
History
April, 1915
With four light cruisers, the squadron is the single L.C.S. attached to the Grand Fleet. This arrangement would extend to some time in November, excepting that a flagship would be designated in June 1915.[9]
June, 1915
With the same composition and still supporting the Grand Fleet, Calliope is now explicitly marked as bearing Commodore, Second Class Charles E. Le Mesurier.[10]
December, 1915
The strength and tasking is the same, but Caroline has replaced Phaeton. This arrangement would last but one month.[11]
January, 1916
Royalist has been dropped, reducing strength to three light cruisers. This arrangement would last but one month.[12]
February, 1916
Constance has joined, returning the strength to four light cruisers. This arrangement would last until the Battle of Jutland.[13]
Battle of Jutland
- Main article: Fourth L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
The Squadron was represented by:[14]
- Calliope, Commodore 2nd class Charles E. Le Mesurier
- Constance, Captain Cyril Samuel Townsend
- Comus, Captain Alan Geoffrey Hotham
- Caroline, Captain Henry Ralph Crooke
- Royalist, Captain the Honourable Herbert Meade
June, 1916
Royalist has returned, increasing strength to five light cruisers from the pre-Jutland roster and retaining the roster seen during the battle. This arrangement would last until August.[15]
August, 1916
Cambrian has joined, increasing strength to six light cruisers from the pre-Jutland roster and retaining the roster seen during the battle. This arrangement would last until August, 1917.[16]
August, 1917
Cordelia has replaced Royalist. This arrangement would last until November, 1918.[17]
November, 1918
No changes since August 1917, but the formation is now under the command of Rear-Admiral Allan Frederic Everett. This arrangement would last until March 1919.[18]
March, 1919
Constance and Cordelia have left, reducing strength to four light cruisers. This arrangement would last just one month.[19]
April, 1919
The formation appears to have been disbanded as part of the new, post-war reorganisation.
See Also
Footnotes
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 26a.
- ↑ Townsend Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/79. f. 98.
- ↑ Townsend Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/79. f. 98.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1915). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (December, 1915). p. 10.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (January, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 34, 44.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1916). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 10, and following supplements.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1919). p. 10.
Bibliography
| Light Cruiser Squadrons of the Royal Navy |
| First Light Cruiser Squadron | Second Light Cruiser Squadron | Third Light Cruiser Squadron | Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron | Fifth Light Cruiser Squadron | Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron | Seventh Light Cruiser Squadron | Eighth Light Cruiser Squadron |
