First Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)

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The First Battle Squadron was a formation of battleships of the Royal Navy. The squadron changed composition often as ships were damaged, retired or transferred. For tactical reasons the squadron was divided into two divisions.

History

The First Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet at sea at sunset, April, 1915.
Photo: United States Navy. Naval History and Heritage Command. NH2714.

May, 1912

On 22 June, 1912 Vice-Admiral Sir Stanley C. J. Colville hoisted his flag in Collingwood as Vice-Admiral Commanding the First Squadron (as it was then known).

December, 1912

Handwritten on stationery from H.M.S. Princess Royal, Albert Francis Barclay Bridges recorded the order of battle for the Grand Fleet, whose contents are found on articles for the various formations. The Fleet flagship was noted as being Neptune, which was not part of any Battle Squadron.[1]

December, 1913

Albert Francis Barclay Bridges again recorded the order of battle for the Grand Fleet. The Fleet flagship was noted as being Neptune, which was not part of any Battle Squadron.[2] Hercules from the Second Battle Squadron has replaced Dreadnought, which has been bumped over to become the flagship of the Fourth Battle Squadron.

5 August, 1914[3][4]

Attached: scout cruiser Bellona, Captain Percy Royds

Battle of Jutland

The First Battle Squadron was initially part of the Royal Navy's Home Fleet. During the First World War the Home Fleet was renamed the Grand Fleet. As an element in the Grand Fleet, the Squadron participated in the Battle of Jutland. During the Battle of Jutland, the squadron's composition was:

After Jutland, 1916

H.M.S. Benbow, seen from Emperor of India, leading Marlborough and Iron Duke.
Photo: United States Navy. Naval History and Heritage Command. NH50158.

Following the Battle of Jutland, the First Battle Squadron was reorganised. Much of the First Squadron was transferred to the Fourth Battle Squadron. The organization was as follows, with dates the ship entered and left the squadron indicated.

Second Battle of Heligoland Bight

The squadron was represented on 17 November, 1917 as[5]

Screened by:

Post-War

Rear-Admirals, Vice-Admirals and Admirals Commanding

Dates of appointment given:

In 1924 the First Battle Squadron was reconstituted as the First Battle Squadron in the Mediterranean.

Rear-Admirals, Second-in-Command

Dates of appointment given:

In 1924, the First Battle Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet was renamed the Second Battle Squadron. A First Battle Squadron was formed in the Mediterranean.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  2. ↑ The Caird Library at the National Maritime Museum. [BRG 1/1]
  3. ↑ Dittmar; Colledge. British Warships 1914–1919. p. 15.
  4. ↑ Naval Operations. Volume I. p. 438.
  5. ↑ Naval Operations. Vol. V. pp. 168-169.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918, and Which Have Now Ceased to Exist." The National Archives. ADM 6/461. ["Squadrons."] Unnumbered page.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 "Squadrons." p. 2.
  8. ↑ Fremantle Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 473.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 23 March, 1921. Issue 42676, col D, p. 12.
  10. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 194.
  11. ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 14 October, 1924. Issue 43782, col E, p. 6.
  12. ↑ "New Flag Commands" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 11 May, 1925. Issue 43958, col C, p. 9.
  13. ↑ "Flag Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 9 June, 1929. Issue 45096, col G, p. 6.
  14. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 11 December, 1912. Issue 40079, col C, p. 14.
  15. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 11 March, 1920. Issue 42356, col F, p. 6.
  16. ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 2 March, 1922. Issue 42969, col G, p. 20.
  17. ↑ "Flag Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 16 March, 1923. Issue 43291, col E, p. 14.
  18. ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 4 February, 1924. Issue 43556, col F, p. 20.
  19. ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 14 October, 1924. Issue 43782, col E, p. 6.
  20. ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 4 November, 1925. Issue 44110, col E, p. 5.
  21. ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 1 October, 1926. Issue 44391, col C, p. 6.
  22. ↑ "Naval and Military" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 17 August, 1927. Issue 44662, col B, p. 19.
  23. ↑ "Flag Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 9 June, 1929. Issue 45096, col G, p. 6.

Bibliography

  • Dittmar, F.J.; Colledge, J.J. (1972). British Warships 1914–1919. London: Ian Allan.
  • Newbolt, Henry (1931). Naval Operations. Vol. V. London: Longmans, Green and Co..

See Also


British Battle Squadrons
First Battle Squadron | Second Battle Squadron | Third Battle Squadron | Fourth Battle Squadron
Fifth Battle Squadron | Sixth Battle Squadron | Seventh Battle Squadron | Eighth Battle Squadron
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