Charles Windham

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Admiral Charles Windham, C.V.O., Royal Navy, Retired (1 March, 1851 – 20 May, 1916) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Charles Windham was born on 1 March, 1851, the second son of Lieutenant-Colonel (later Major-General Sir) Charles Ashe Windham, who won fame for his bravery during the Crimean War. His paternal grandfather was Vice-Admiral William Lukin Windham, and his mother was Marianne Catherine Emily, youngest daughter of Admiral Sir John Poo de la Poer Beresford.

Windham was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 March, 1874.[1]

He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1888.[2]

On 11 June, 1891, Windham was appointed to H.M.S. Howe.[3]

Windham was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1895.[4]

A tale about Windham is recounted in Fabulous Admirals:

Long ago, a stoker having been drowned, the men collected $450 and produced a design for an elaborate tombstone to be bought. Captain Charles Windham heard of this, fell in the ship's company, and spoke: 'I heave heard that this man left a widow and two children penniless in England, and you propose to erect this ludicrous tombstone. My father, Redan Windham, they called him, for he saved the Redan, died and we put up a stone for him for a fiver. I know, for I tossed my brother for who should pay for it and lost.'
The Captain continued, 'I shall confiscate the money, send it and more to his widow; and pay for a suitable tombstone myself. Dismiss the ship's company.[5]

Windham was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 8 March, 1901.[6]

Windham was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 4 December, 1905, vice MacLeod.[7]

On 18 July, 1907 Windham was appointed a Gentleman Usher to the King, a position he retained until his death.

In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, he was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 4 June, 1909.[8]

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 22 July, 1910,[9] and to Admiral on the Retired List on 4 June, 1913.[10]

Windham died at Reymerston Hall, Attleborough, Norfolk. He was buried on Wednesday, 24 May, 1916 at St. George's Cemetary, Hanwell, Middlesex.

Footnotes

  1. London Gazette: no. 24082. p. 1923. 31 March, 1874.
  2. London Gazette: no. 25837. p. 3826. 13 July, 1888.
  3. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 12 June, 1891. Issue 33349, col C, pg. 8.
  4. London Gazette: no. 26585. p. 7. 1 January, 1895.
  5. Lowis. p. 197.
  6. London Gazette: no. 27292. p. 1648. 8 March, 1901.
  7. London Gazette: no. 27861. p. 8812. 8 December, 1905.
  8. London Gazette: no. 28258. p. 4386. 8 June, 1909.
  9. London Gazette: no. 28400. p. 5396. 26 July, 1910.
  10. London Gazette: no. 28726. p. 3992. 6 June, 1913.

Bibliography

  • "Death of Admiral Windham" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 23 May, 1916. Issue 41174, col E, pg. 11.

Service Records


Naval Appointments
Preceded by
George A. Primrose
Captain of
H.M.Y. Osborne

1896 – 1901
Succeeded by
?