Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt
Admiral Ernest Frederic 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.
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.
"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."[1]
According to Mrs de Molyns: "Father worshipped Jellicoe; the greatest sailor ever; far superior to Nelson, Drake and all the others."
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."[1]
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheila de Moleyns. Tape recording in possession of the Liddle Collection, University of Leeds.
Bibliography
- "Admiral Sir Ernest Gaunt" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 22 April, 1940. Issue 48596, col E, pg. 3.
