Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt
Admiral SIR 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.
Contents
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]
For his services in China, he was appointed a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) on 26 June, 1902.[2]
Captain
Gaunt was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1903.[3]
He was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V on 16 May, 1913, vice Kerr.[4]
Flag Rank
First World War
He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral dated 24 October, 1914.[5]
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."[6]
According to Mrs de Molyns: "Father worshipped Jellicoe; the greatest sailor ever; far superior to Nelson, Drake and all the others."[6]
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."[6]
Fourth Battle Squadron
On 15 September Gaunt was appointed a Companion in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) dated 31 May.[7]
East Indies Station
He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 21 February, 1919, vice Wemyss.[8]
Western Approaches
Gaunt was appointed a Knight Commander in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) on 1 January, 1923.[9]
On 30 July, 1924, Gaunt was promoted to the rank of Admiral, vice Evan-Thomas.[10]
Retirement
Gaunt was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 17 March, 1925.[11]
Footnotes
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 26983. p. 3984. 1 July, 1898.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 27456. p. 4669. 2 January, 1903.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 27632. p. 25. 1 January, 1904.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 28725. p. 3913. 3 June, 1913.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 28984. p. 9690. 24 November, 1914.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Sheila de Moleyns. Tape recording in possession of the Liddle Collection, University of Leeds.
- ↑ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29751. p. 9070. 15 September, 1916.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 31223. p. 3295. 11 March, 1919.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 32782. p. 6. (Supplement) 1 January, 1923.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 32953. p. 5162. 4 July, 1924.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 33031. p. 1954. 20 March, 1925.
Bibliography
- "Admiral Sir Ernest Gaunt" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 22 April, 1940. Issue 48596, col E, pg. 3.
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/42.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/20.
| 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 |
- 1865 births
- 1940 deaths
- Personalities
- H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship) Entrants of January, 1878
- Rear-Admirals in the First Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)
- Rear-Admirals in the Fourth Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)
- Commanders-in-Chief on the East Indies Station
- Commanders-in-Chief, Western Approaches
- Royal Navy Admirals
- Royal Navy Flag Officers
