Andrew Kennedy Bickford

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Andrew Kennedy Bickford, C.M.G., seen as a Vice-Admiral in Full Dress.

Admiral Andrew Kennedy Bickford, C.M.G., Royal Navy (16 July, 1844 – 9 October, 1927) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Captain

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1884.[1] On 13 April, 1885, he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) in connection with his services in regard to the crew of the Nisero.[2]

After the customary lengthy period on half pay, on 15 June, 1887, he was appointed in command of the troop ship Assistance. He was superseded in command on 21 June, 1890. On 22 July he was appointed in command of Medusa for the annual manœuvres.[3]

He was appointed in command of the third class protected cruiser Katoomba on 24 March, 1891, for service on the Australian Station. Katoomba paid off on 20 April, 1894. On 18 July he took command of Gibraltar for the manœuvres.[4]

Bickford was appointed in command of the battleship Resolution in the Channel Squadron on 1 February, 1895.[5]

Bickford was appointed to Inflexible on 17 December, 1896, for command of the Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth, taking her to sea for the annual manœuvres from 15 June to 4 July, 1897. He transferred to Trafalgar for command of the Fleet Reserve on 13 October, 1897.[6]

On 11 January, 1898, he was appointed to Wildfire as Captain Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard.[7]

Flag Rank

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral dated 22 June, 1899, vice Palliser.[8] On 29 June he relinquished command at Sheerness, and went on half pay. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the Pacific Station on 15 October, 1900, and assumed command on 13 December. He was relieved in command on 21 December, 1903, and returned to England on 7 January, 1904.[9]

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 10 February, 1904, vice Rose.[10]

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 22 March, 1908, vice Bosanquet,[11] and was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 12 May.[12]

Bibliography

  • "Admiral A. K. Bickford" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 11 October, 1927. Issue 44709, col C, p. 9.
  • Bickford, Richard E. (1996). Light Airs and Gentle Breezes: A Victorian Naval Life Story. Dumfries: Tartan Edge. ISBN 0952175010.

Service Records


Footnotes

  1. The London Gazette: no. 25429. p. 26. 2 January, 1885.
  2. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  3. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  4. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  5. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  6. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  7. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  8. The London Gazette: no. 27093. p. 4008. 27 June, 1899.
  9. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  10. The London Gazette: no. 27645. p. 941. 12 February, 1904.
  11. The London Gazette: no. 28122. p. 2260. 24 March, 1908.
  12. The London Gazette: no. 28138. p. 3669. 19 May, 1908.
  13. Partial read of a date from his service record's sample image at The National Archives. ADM 196/86/47.
  14. Partial read of a date from his service record's sample image at The National Archives. ADM 196/86/47.
  15. "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 30 January, 1895. Issue 34487, col B, p. 10.
  16. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  17. Clowes. The Royal Navy. Vol. VII. p. 7.
  18. Clowes. The Royal Navy. Vol. VII. p. 88.

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