Difference between revisions of "Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt"

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==Commander==
 
==Commander==
Gaunt was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN} on 30 June, 1898.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26983/pages/3984 no. 26983.  p. 3984.]  1 July, 1898.</ref>
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Gaunt was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1898.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26983/pages/3984 no. 26983.  p. 3984.]  1 July, 1898.</ref>
  
 
==Captain==
 
==Captain==

Revision as of 19:16, 7 February 2011

Admiral Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt, K.C.B., K.B.E., C.M.G., Royal Navy (25 March, 1865 – 20 April, 1940) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Early Life & Career

His brother, Guy Gaunt, also rose to Flag Rank. His sister was the noted author Mary Gaunt. His son, John Gaunt (1905–1970) was a leading South Rhodesian politician during the 1960s.

Lieutenant

Commander

Gaunt was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1898.[1]

Captain

Flag Rank

First World War

He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral dated 24 October, 1914.[2]

First Battle Squadron

"One day an enormous parcel arrived from Australia. The good ladies of Melbourne had stitched the most enormous Rear-Admiral's flag [to] be flown in action. Father thanked [them] profusely but the last thing he intended to do, as Nelson almost did, [was] to advertise his ship's presence so the beautiful silk flag was never used."[3]

According to Mrs de Molyns: "Father worshipped Jellicoe; the greatest sailor ever; far superior to Nelson, Drake and all the others."[3]

Of Beatty he supposedly said: "Friend of Churchill. Rich wife. Helped Churchill with his polo ponies. [Should] never have been allowed to cross the threshold of a quarterdeck. [Self]-Advertiser. No place inside the Senior Service."[3]

East Indies Station

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 21 February, 1919, vice Wemyss.[4]

Western Approaches

Footnotes

  1. London Gazette: no. 26983. p. 3984. 1 July, 1898.
  2. London Gazette: no. 28984. p. 9690. 24 November, 1914.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Sheila de Moleyns. Tape recording in possession of the Liddle Collection, University of Leeds.
  4. London Gazette: no. 31223. p. 3295. 11 March, 1919.

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir Ernest Gaunt" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 22 April, 1940. Issue 48596, col E, pg. 3.

Service Records


Naval Offices
Preceded by
Hugh Evan-Thomas
Rear-Admiral in the First Battle Squadron
1915 - 1916
Succeeded by
Alexander L. Duff
Preceded by
Alexander L. Duff
Rear-Admiral in the Fourth Battle Squadron
1916 - 1917
Succeeded by
Roger J. B. Keyes
Preceded by
Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss
Commander-in-Chief on the East Indies Station
1917 - 1919
Succeeded by
Sir Hugh H. D. Tothill
Preceded by
Sir Reginald G. O. Tupper
Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches
1921 - 1922
Succeeded by
Command Disbanded