Difference between revisions of "George Alexander Ballard"

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<blockquote>Two years spent thus represented at that period the first stage of a naval officer's career.  Many months before it came to an end most of us were longing to finish it and get away to a seagoing life with all its anticipated excitements, although in point of fact very few had any but the vaguest idea of what sort of a life it would prove to be.  But I think nevertheless that to the majority in after years, the period spent at Dartmouth in the old ''Britannia'' remained on the whole a pleasant memory.  It certainly is to me.<ref>"Admiral Ballard's Memoirs: Part One."  p. 350.</ref></blockquote>   
 
<blockquote>Two years spent thus represented at that period the first stage of a naval officer's career.  Many months before it came to an end most of us were longing to finish it and get away to a seagoing life with all its anticipated excitements, although in point of fact very few had any but the vaguest idea of what sort of a life it would prove to be.  But I think nevertheless that to the majority in after years, the period spent at Dartmouth in the old ''Britannia'' remained on the whole a pleasant memory.  It certainly is to me.<ref>"Admiral Ballard's Memoirs: Part One."  p. 350.</ref></blockquote>   
  
Ballard was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 15 March, 1884.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25329/pages/1304 no. 25329.  p. 1304.]  1 January, 1897.</ref>
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Ballard spent half a year in the {{UK-Resistance|f=tp}} before being sent to join {{UK-2Achilles|f=p}} in the [[Channel Squadron]] in May of 1877.  He remained in ''Achilles'' until being sent to {{UK-1Tourmaline}} for nearly two years.
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After examinations at the {{UK-Excellent|f=tp}} in 1882, Ballard served in the {{UK-Espoir|f=t}} and in {{UK-Hecla}} before being promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 15 March, 1884.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25329/pages/1304 no. 25329.  p. 1304.]  1 January, 1897.</ref>
  
 
On 31 December, 1897 he was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}}.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26924/pages/7854 no. 26924.  p. 7854.]  31 December, 1897.</ref>
 
On 31 December, 1897 he was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}}.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26924/pages/7854 no. 26924.  p. 7854.]  31 December, 1897.</ref>
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Ballard was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 31 December, 1903.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27632/pages/25 no. 27632.  p. 25.]  1 January, 1904.</ref>
 
Ballard was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 31 December, 1903.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27632/pages/25 no. 27632.  p. 25.]  1 January, 1904.</ref>
  
On 15 May, 1906, Ballard was appointed in command of the {{UK-RoyalArthur|f=t}} in reserve.  On 3 July he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Terrible|f=t}}.  On 22 July, the ''Terrible'' left Portsmouth for China<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 23 July, 1906.  Issue '''38079''', col B, p. 6.</ref> with a relief crew for the {{UK-Astraea}}.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 7 July, 1906.  Issue '''38066''', col C, p. 8.</ref>  He took command of the {{UK-Hampshire|f=t}} on 20 August, 1907.  Upon giving up command of the Channel Fleet in March, 1909, the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Charles Beresford, wrote of Ballard, "No defect, very zealous, sound physically.  Recommended for advancement.  A very clever officer, hard working, and knows the Service.  Will make a good Admiral."  In November Rear-Admiral [[Paul Warner Bush|Paul W. Bush]] opined, with Vice-Admiral [[George Neville]]'s concurrence, that Ballard was "a very zealous Captain & handles his ship well."<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/88}}.  f. 29.</ref>  On 31 December, 1909, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Commonwealth|f=t}}.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 65.</ref>  In May, 1910, a Court of Enquiry was held following the abandonment of ''Commonwealth's'' steam trial.  Their Lordships expressed Their "severe displeasure on account of the want of knowledge shewn in the preparation of the ship for sea under the weather conditions which prevailed at the time."<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/88}}.  f. 29.</ref>  On 9 December he was given command of ''Commonwealth's'' sister-ship, {{UK-Britannia}}.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 65.</ref>
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On 15 May, 1906, Ballard was appointed in command of the {{UK-RoyalArthur|f=t}} in reserve.  On 3 July he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Terrible|f=t}}.  On 22 July, the ''Terrible'' left Portsmouth for China<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 23 July, 1906.  Issue '''38079''', col B, p. 6.</ref> with a relief crew for the {{UK-Astraea}}.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 7 July, 1906.  Issue '''38066''', col C, p. 8.</ref>
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He recorded that on 27 December that he had been appointed "to preside over a Secret Committee at Admiralty, but retaining command of Terrible."<ref>Entry for 14 December, 1906. "G A Ballard.  Record of business letters &c."  Ballard Papers.  National Maritime Museum.  MSS/80/200.  Box 1.</ref>  On 3 January, 1907, he met with the First Sea Lord, [[John Arbuthnot Fisher, First Baron Fisher|Sir John A. Fisher]], who made him an outstanding offer:
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<blockquote>At an interview with Sir J. Fisher was informed my name had been sent in as an alternative to Capt [[Charles Langdale Ottley|Ottley's]] for the position of Secretary of the [[Committee of Imperial Defence]] in succession to Sir George Clarke in case Ottley was not approved.  Also that if Ottley was appointed I might succeed him as Director of Naval Intelligence if I chose.  Decided to accept the first if I got the chance, but refuse the second in order to get in my sea time.<ref>Entry for 3 January, 1907.  "G A Ballard.  Record of business letters &c."  Ballard Papers.  National Maritime Museum.  MSS/80/200.  Box 1.</ref></blockquote>
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He took command of the {{UK-Hampshire|f=t}} on 20 August, 1907.  Upon giving up command of the Channel Fleet in March, 1909, the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Charles Beresford, wrote of Ballard, "No defect, very zealous, sound physically.  Recommended for advancement.  A very clever officer, hard working, and knows the Service.  Will make a good Admiral."  In November Rear-Admiral [[Paul Warner Bush|Paul W. Bush]] opined, with Vice-Admiral [[George Neville]]'s concurrence, that Ballard was "a very zealous Captain & handles his ship well."<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/88}}.  f. 29.</ref>  On 31 December, 1909, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Commonwealth|f=t}}.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 65.</ref>  In May, 1910, a Court of Enquiry was held following the abandonment of ''Commonwealth's'' steam trial.  Their Lordships expressed Their "severe displeasure on account of the want of knowledge shewn in the preparation of the ship for sea under the weather conditions which prevailed at the time."<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/88}}.  f. 29.</ref>  On 9 December he was given command of ''Commonwealth's'' sister-ship, {{UK-Britannia}}.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 65.</ref>
  
The Secretary of the [[Committee of Imperial Defence]], [[Charles Langdale Ottley|Sir Charles L. Ottley]], a former Director of Naval Intelligence, wrote to Winston Churchill of Ballard in October, 1911, "I am in great hopes he may e'er long return to an important post at the Admiralty,"<ref>Letter of 17 October, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 28.</ref> and advocated he be associated with any committee on staff reform, writing, "He would approach the matter from the standpoint of one who knew the old system."<ref>Letter of 22 October, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 103.</ref>
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Charles Ottley, now Secretary of the Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence, wrote to Winston Churchill of Ballard in October, 1911, "I am in great hopes he may e'er long return to an important post at the Admiralty,"<ref>Letter of 17 October, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 28.</ref> and advocated he be associated with any committee on staff reform, writing, "He would approach the matter from the standpoint of one who knew the old system."<ref>Letter of 22 October, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 103.</ref>
  
 
Ottley also informed Churchill that Ballard wrote for ''The Contemporary Review'' magazine under the pseudonym "Master Mariner,"<ref>Letter of 17 October, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 28.</ref> therefore contravening Article 12 of the ''King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions'' on communicating with the press on Service matters.<ref>''The King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions for the Government of His Majesty's Naval Service'' (1906).  p. 3.</ref>  Ottley also forwarded a number of Ballard's somewhat subversive memoranda to Churchill, in the knowledge that, "You will I know safeguard his anonymity."<ref>Letter of 3 November, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 183.</ref>
 
Ottley also informed Churchill that Ballard wrote for ''The Contemporary Review'' magazine under the pseudonym "Master Mariner,"<ref>Letter of 17 October, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 28.</ref> therefore contravening Article 12 of the ''King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions'' on communicating with the press on Service matters.<ref>''The King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions for the Government of His Majesty's Naval Service'' (1906).  p. 3.</ref>  Ottley also forwarded a number of Ballard's somewhat subversive memoranda to Churchill, in the knowledge that, "You will I know safeguard his anonymity."<ref>Letter of 3 November, 1911.  {{TNA|CAB 1/31.}}  f. 183.</ref>
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On 10 May, 1913, he was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V, vice [[John de Mestre Hutchison|Hutchison]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28718/pages/3438 no. 28718.  p. 3438.]  13 May, 1913.</ref>  On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 3 June.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28724/supplements/3903 (Supplement) no. 28724.  p. 3903.]  3 June, 1913.</ref>
 
On 10 May, 1913, he was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V, vice [[John de Mestre Hutchison|Hutchison]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28718/pages/3438 no. 28718.  p. 3438.]  13 May, 1913.</ref>  On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 3 June.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28724/supplements/3903 (Supplement) no. 28724.  p. 3903.]  3 June, 1913.</ref>
  
Ballard assumed the duties of Admiral of Patrols on 1 May, 1914, with the rank of {{Com1RN}}.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 1 May, 1914.  Issue '''40512''', col B, p. 6.</ref>
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Ballard assumed the duties of [[Admiral of Patrols]] on 1 May, 1914, with the rank of {{Com1RN}}.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 1 May, 1914.  Issue '''40512''', col B, p. 6.</ref>
  
 
==Great War==
 
==Great War==
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An interesting perspective on Ballard is offered by Admiral of the Fleet [[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]], who became [[Admiralty War Staff|Chief of the Admiralty War Staff]] at the end of 1914:
 
An interesting perspective on Ballard is offered by Admiral of the Fleet [[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]], who became [[Admiralty War Staff|Chief of the Admiralty War Staff]] at the end of 1914:
  
<blockquote>We had a useless R.A. on the East Coast of England and I could not get him shifted.  When the Germans bombarded Scarborough and Hartlepool we knew from Room 40 the afternoon before that something was intended but not enough to know what.  He had definite orders to send out 2 submarines from Hartlepool to be at gun range, according to visibility, off the harbour at dawn.  He failed to send them out the night before and they did not start out till after the bombardment began[,] one was crossing the bar while the shells were falling.  We lost a fine chance of laming a battle cruiser and perhaps bringing on an engagement if her consorts delayed retiring to help her.  I could not get him shifted for that so I took bits of his command away at the north and south ends till there was none left.<ref>Oliver.  '''II'''.  ff. 117-118.</ref></blockquote>
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<blockquote>We had a useless R.A. on the East Coast of England and I could not get him shifted.  When the Germans bombarded Scarborough and Hartlepool [on 15-16 December, 1914] we knew from Room 40 the afternoon before that something was intended but not enough to know what.  He had definite orders to send out 2 submarines from Hartlepool to be at gun range, according to visibility, off the harbour at dawn.  He failed to send them out the night before and they did not start out till after the bombardment began[,] one was crossing the bar while the shells were falling.  We lost a fine chance of laming a battle cruiser and perhaps bringing on an engagement if her consorts delayed retiring to help her.  I could not get him shifted for that so I took bits of his command away at the north and south ends till there was none left.<ref>Oliver.  '''II'''.  ff. 117-118.</ref></blockquote>
  
On 6 November, 1915, Ballard became Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England.<ref>"Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11<sup><u>th</u></sup> November, 1918, and Which Have Now Ceased to Exist."  {{TNA|ADM 6/461.}}  f. 29a.</ref>
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On 6 November, 1915, Ballard became [[East Coast of England Station|Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England]].{{UKCeased|f. 29a}}
  
 
N. A. M. Rodger has opined that, "His reputation may have suffered from the German raids of 1914 and 1916; certainly there was no vacancy in the naval war staff under Sir Henry Jackson for so clever and independent an officer."<ref>Rodger.  "Ballard, George Alexander (1862–1948)."</ref>  Quite apart from the slur this completely unsourced statement casts on Sir Henry Jackson, it also denigrates the men already on the War Staff.
 
N. A. M. Rodger has opined that, "His reputation may have suffered from the German raids of 1914 and 1916; certainly there was no vacancy in the naval war staff under Sir Henry Jackson for so clever and independent an officer."<ref>Rodger.  "Ballard, George Alexander (1862–1948)."</ref>  Quite apart from the slur this completely unsourced statement casts on Sir Henry Jackson, it also denigrates the men already on the War Staff.
  
On 1 May, 1916, Ballard was succeeded as Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England.  He then went on Half Pay until he was appointed Senior Officer in Charge at Malta and Admiral Superintendent of Malta Dockyard on 24 September,<ref>ADM 196/42.  Volume 4.  f. 65.</ref> and assumed command on 28 September.<ref>''Supplement to the Monthly Navy List'' (June, 1918).  p. 8.</ref>
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On 1 May, 1916, Ballard was succeeded as Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England.  He then went on Half Pay until he was appointed Senior Officer in Charge at Malta and Admiral Superintendent of [[Malta Dockyard]] on 24 September,<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} Volume 4.  f. 65.</ref> and assumed command on 28 September.{{SMNLJun18|p. 8}}
  
 
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In May, 1917, he was criticised by the Board of Admiralty for the torpedoing of S.S. ''Ivernia'' on 1 January, for allowing it to proceed through the Cerigotto Channel by day contrary to instructions.  On 17 September he was informed that orders appeared to have been given in a "haphazard" manner in regards to an operation where special service vessel ''Zeus'' was lost.<ref>ADM 196/88.  f. 29.</ref>  He relinquished duty as Admiral Superintendent at Malta on 16 November, 1918.<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} Volume 4.  f. 65.</ref>
In May, 1917, he was criticised by the Board of Admiralty for the torpedoing of S.S. ''Ivernia'' on 1 January, for allowing it to proceed through the Cerigotto Channel by day contrary to instructions.  On 17 September he was informed that orders appeared to have been given in a "haphazard" manner in regards to an operation where special service vessel ''Zeus'' was lost.<ref>ADM 196/88.  f. 29.</ref>  He relinquished duty as Admiral Superintendent at Malta on 16 November, 1918.<ref>ADM 196/42.  Volume 4.  f. 65.</ref>
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==Post-War==
 
==Post-War==
 
He was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 11 February, 1919, vice [[Robert Francis Boyle|Boyle]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31201/pages/2738 no. 31201.  p. 2738.]  25 February, 1919.</ref>  He was placed on the Retired List on 15 June, 1921 at his own request "in order to facilitate the promotion of younger officers."<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32384/pages/5486 no. 32384.  p. 5486.]  8 July, 1921.</ref>  On 3 March, 1924 he was advanced to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on the Retired List.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32919/pages/2323 no. 32919.  p. 2323.]  18 March, 1924.</ref>
 
He was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 11 February, 1919, vice [[Robert Francis Boyle|Boyle]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31201/pages/2738 no. 31201.  p. 2738.]  25 February, 1919.</ref>  He was placed on the Retired List on 15 June, 1921 at his own request "in order to facilitate the promotion of younger officers."<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32384/pages/5486 no. 32384.  p. 5486.]  8 July, 1921.</ref>  On 3 March, 1924 he was advanced to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on the Retired List.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32919/pages/2323 no. 32919.  p. 2323.]  18 March, 1924.</ref>
  
He died suddenly on 15 September, 1948, aged eighty-six, at his home, Hill House, Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, from myocardial degeneration, arerio sclerosis and carcinoma of the prostate.<ref>"Deaths" (Deaths).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 18 September, 1948.  Issue '''51180''', col A, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 65.</ref>
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He died suddenly on 15 September, 1948, aged eighty-six, at his home, Hill House, Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, from myocardial degeneration, arterio sclerosis and carcinoma of the prostate.<ref>"Deaths" (Deaths).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 18 September, 1948.  Issue '''51180''', col A, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 65.</ref>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Alexander_Ballard}}
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{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Alexander_Ballard}}
 
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==Footnotes==
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{{reflist}}
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==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
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{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
 
*Unfinished memoirs in the possession of the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth.  1988.89.  Two copies ([http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/512144.html one] and [http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/471439.html two]) in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.
 
*Unfinished memoirs in the possession of the Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth.  1988.89.  Two copies ([http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/512144.html one] and [http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/471439.html two]) in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.
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*[http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/463127.html Uncatalogued papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.]
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*[http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/463128.html Uncatalogued papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.]
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
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{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
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<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabAppts}}
+
{{TabNaval}}
{{Appt
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.S. Janus (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Janus'']]'''<br>12 Dec, 1895{{NLMar96|p. 235}} &ndash; 27 May, 1896|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Clark Soady (b)|John C. Soady]]'''}}
|[[Operations Division (Royal Navy)|Director of Operations Division]]|New Appointment|1912 &ndash; 1914|[[Arthur Cavenagh Leveson|Arthur C. Leveson]]
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Edward Kellett|Henry E. Kellett]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Renard (1892)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Renard'']]'''<br>27 May, 1896|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frank Henry Peyton|Frank H. Peyton]]'''}}
}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert Leopold Heath|Herbert L. Heath]]'''|'''[[Naval Intelligence Department (Royal Navy)|Head of War Division]]'''<br>1 Jan, 1904<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref><ref>''Naval Intelligence Department.  Distribution of Work.&mdash;March 1905''.  {{TNA|ADM 231/45.}}  p. 2.</ref> &ndash; 15 Jan, 1906<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref><ref>''Naval Intelligence Department.  Distribution of Work.&mdash;March 1905''.  {{TNA|ADM 231/45.}}  p. 2.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Harry Jones|Harry Jones]]'''}}
|-
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Lionel Napier|Charles L. Napier]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Euryalus (1901)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Euryalus'']]'''<br>15 Jan, 1906<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Archibald Gordon Henry Wilson Moore|A. Gordon H. W. Moore]]'''}}
| rowspan="2" width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet|John M. de Robeck]]'''
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Archibald Gordon Henry Wilson Moore|A. Gordon H. W. Moore]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Royal Arthur (1891)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Royal Arthur'']]'''<br>15 May, 1906<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref> &ndash; 3 Jul, 1906<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Norman Craig Palmer|Norman C. Palmer]]'''}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Admiral of Patrols]]'''<br>1914 &ndash; 1915
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Hervey Campbell|Henry H. Campbell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Terrible (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Terrible'']]'''<br>3 Jul, 1906<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref> &ndash; 20 Aug, 1907<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Morden Harbord-Hamond, Tenth Baron Suffield|Richard M. Harbord]]'''}}
| rowspan="2" width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Stuart Nicholson]]'''
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Keith Arbuthnot, Fourth Baronet|Sir Robert K. Arbuthnot, Bart.]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hampshire (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hampshire'']]'''<br>20 Aug, 1907{{NLJan10|p. 323}}<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref> &ndash; 31 Dec, 1909<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Stanhope Hawke|The Hon. Stanhope Hawke]]'''}}
|-
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Horace Lambert Alexander Hood|The Hon. Horace L. A. Hood]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Commonwealth (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Commonwealth'']]'''<br>31 Dec, 1909<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref> &ndash; Dec, 1910<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Oswald William Ormsby|Oswald W. Ormsby]]'''}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[East Coast of England Station|Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England]]'''<br>1915 &ndash; 1916
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Montague Edward Browning|Montague E. Browning]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Britannia (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Britannia'']]'''<br>9 Dec, 1910<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>{{NLApr11|p. 287}} &ndash; 1 Dec, 1911<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Frederick Thorp|Charles F. Thorp]]'''}}
|-
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Appointment'''|'''[[Operations Division (Royal Navy)|Director of Operations Division]]'''<br>8 Jan, 1912{{UKNavalStaff|p. 121}} &ndash; 1 May, 1914<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Cavenagh Leveson|Arthur C. Leveson]]'''}}
{{Appt
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet|John M. de Robeck]]'''|'''[[Admiral of Patrols|Admiral of Patrols]]'''<br>1 May, 1914<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 1 May, 1914.  Issue '''40512''', col B, p. 6.</ref> &ndash; 6 Nov, 1915|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Alexander Ballard|George A. Ballard]] as [[Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England|East Coast of England Station]]'''}}
|[[Admiral Superintendent of Malta Dockyard|Senior Naval Officer and Admiral Superintendent, Malta]]|[[Arthur Henry Limpus|Sir Arthur H. Limpus]]|1916 &ndash; 1918|[[Brian Herbert Fairbairn Barttelot|Brian H. F. Barttelot]]
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George Alexander Ballard|George A. Ballard]] as [[Admiral of Patrols]]'''|'''[[East Coast of England Station|Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England]]'''<br>6 Nov, 1915{{UKCeased|f. 29a}} &ndash; 1 May, 1916<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Stuart Nicholson|Stuart Nicholson]]'''<br><small>as '''Vice-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England'''</small>}}
}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Henry Limpus|Sir Arthur H. Limpus]]'''|'''[[Malta Dockyard|Admiral Superintendent, Malta Dockyard]]'''<br>24 Sep, 1916<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42}}.  f. 65.</ref> &ndash; 25 Oct, 1918<ref>Ballard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 65.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Brian Herbert Fairbairn Barttelot|Brian H. F. Barttelot]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
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==Footnotes==
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[[Category:Companions of the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath]]

Revision as of 17:43, 7 December 2018

Admiral George A. Ballard, seen as a Commodore, Second Class.
Photograph: © National Portrait Gallery, London.

Admiral George Alexander Ballard, C.B., Retired (7 March, 1862 – 15 September, 1948) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War and a historian.

Life & Career

George Alexander Ballard was born on 7 March, 1862, at Malabar Hill, Bombay, the eldest child of Captain (later Lieutenant-General) John Archibald Ballard, C.B., of the Royal (Bombay) Engineers. Ballard was educated at Burney's Royal Academy, Gosport, and obtained a nomination for the Royal Navy from Captain (later Admiral Sir) Charles Fellowes. He went up to London for the examination at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich with ten others from Burney's, six of whom passed, one of whom was Christopher Cradock. He entered the training ship Britannia on 15 January, 1875, and left on 21 December, 1876. He later recalled:

Two years spent thus represented at that period the first stage of a naval officer's career. Many months before it came to an end most of us were longing to finish it and get away to a seagoing life with all its anticipated excitements, although in point of fact very few had any but the vaguest idea of what sort of a life it would prove to be. But I think nevertheless that to the majority in after years, the period spent at Dartmouth in the old Britannia remained on the whole a pleasant memory. It certainly is to me.[1]

Ballard spent half a year in the ironclad H.M.S. Resistance before being sent to join H.M.S. Achilles in the Channel Squadron in May of 1877. He remained in Achilles until being sent to Tourmaline for nearly two years.

After examinations at the gunnery training school H.M.S. Excellent in 1882, Ballard served in the gunboat Espoir and in Hecla before being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 March, 1884.[2]

On 31 December, 1897 he was promoted to the rank of Commander.[3]

Captain

Ballard was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1903.[4]

On 15 May, 1906, Ballard was appointed in command of the first class protected cruiser Royal Arthur in reserve. On 3 July he was appointed in command of the first class protected cruiser Terrible. On 22 July, the Terrible left Portsmouth for China[5] with a relief crew for the Astræa.[6]

He recorded that on 27 December that he had been appointed "to preside over a Secret Committee at Admiralty, but retaining command of Terrible."[7] On 3 January, 1907, he met with the First Sea Lord, Sir John A. Fisher, who made him an outstanding offer:

At an interview with Sir J. Fisher was informed my name had been sent in as an alternative to Capt Ottley's for the position of Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence in succession to Sir George Clarke in case Ottley was not approved. Also that if Ottley was appointed I might succeed him as Director of Naval Intelligence if I chose. Decided to accept the first if I got the chance, but refuse the second in order to get in my sea time.[8]

He took command of the armoured cruiser Hampshire on 20 August, 1907. Upon giving up command of the Channel Fleet in March, 1909, the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Charles Beresford, wrote of Ballard, "No defect, very zealous, sound physically. Recommended for advancement. A very clever officer, hard working, and knows the Service. Will make a good Admiral." In November Rear-Admiral Paul W. Bush opined, with Vice-Admiral George Neville's concurrence, that Ballard was "a very zealous Captain & handles his ship well."[9] On 31 December, 1909, he was appointed in command of the battleship Commonwealth.[10] In May, 1910, a Court of Enquiry was held following the abandonment of Commonwealth's steam trial. Their Lordships expressed Their "severe displeasure on account of the want of knowledge shewn in the preparation of the ship for sea under the weather conditions which prevailed at the time."[11] On 9 December he was given command of Commonwealth's sister-ship, Britannia.[12]

Charles Ottley, now Secretary of the Secretary of the Committee of Imperial Defence, wrote to Winston Churchill of Ballard in October, 1911, "I am in great hopes he may e'er long return to an important post at the Admiralty,"[13] and advocated he be associated with any committee on staff reform, writing, "He would approach the matter from the standpoint of one who knew the old system."[14]

Ottley also informed Churchill that Ballard wrote for The Contemporary Review magazine under the pseudonym "Master Mariner,"[15] therefore contravening Article 12 of the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions on communicating with the press on Service matters.[16] Ottley also forwarded a number of Ballard's somewhat subversive memoranda to Churchill, in the knowledge that, "You will I know safeguard his anonymity."[17]

Churchill offered Ballard the post of Director of Naval Intelligence and on 22 November he accepted.[18] He was appointed to President, additional, for special service at the Admiralty on 1 December. On leaving Britannia Vice-Admiral Callaghan described him as "A V.G. Captain of a ship. Has intellectual qualities above the average & v.g. judgement."[19] On 8 January, 1912, he was appointed Director of the Operations Division on the newly-formed Admiralty War Staff.[20]

On 10 May, 1913, he was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V, vice Hutchison.[21] On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 3 June.[22]

Ballard assumed the duties of Admiral of Patrols on 1 May, 1914, with the rank of Commodore, First Class.[23]

Great War

On 27 August, 1914, Ballard was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral, vice Carden.[24]

An interesting perspective on Ballard is offered by Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry F. Oliver, who became Chief of the Admiralty War Staff at the end of 1914:

We had a useless R.A. on the East Coast of England and I could not get him shifted. When the Germans bombarded Scarborough and Hartlepool [on 15-16 December, 1914] we knew from Room 40 the afternoon before that something was intended but not enough to know what. He had definite orders to send out 2 submarines from Hartlepool to be at gun range, according to visibility, off the harbour at dawn. He failed to send them out the night before and they did not start out till after the bombardment began[,] one was crossing the bar while the shells were falling. We lost a fine chance of laming a battle cruiser and perhaps bringing on an engagement if her consorts delayed retiring to help her. I could not get him shifted for that so I took bits of his command away at the north and south ends till there was none left.[25]

On 6 November, 1915, Ballard became Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England.[26]

N. A. M. Rodger has opined that, "His reputation may have suffered from the German raids of 1914 and 1916; certainly there was no vacancy in the naval war staff under Sir Henry Jackson for so clever and independent an officer."[27] Quite apart from the slur this completely unsourced statement casts on Sir Henry Jackson, it also denigrates the men already on the War Staff.

On 1 May, 1916, Ballard was succeeded as Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England. He then went on Half Pay until he was appointed Senior Officer in Charge at Malta and Admiral Superintendent of Malta Dockyard on 24 September,[28] and assumed command on 28 September.[29]

In May, 1917, he was criticised by the Board of Admiralty for the torpedoing of S.S. Ivernia on 1 January, for allowing it to proceed through the Cerigotto Channel by day contrary to instructions. On 17 September he was informed that orders appeared to have been given in a "haphazard" manner in regards to an operation where special service vessel Zeus was lost.[30] He relinquished duty as Admiral Superintendent at Malta on 16 November, 1918.[31]

Post-War

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 11 February, 1919, vice Boyle.[32] He was placed on the Retired List on 15 June, 1921 at his own request "in order to facilitate the promotion of younger officers."[33] On 3 March, 1924 he was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List.[34]

He died suddenly on 15 September, 1948, aged eighty-six, at his home, Hill House, Downton, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, from myocardial degeneration, arterio sclerosis and carcinoma of the prostate.[35][36]

See Also

Bibliography

  • Ballard, Vice-Admiral G. A., C.B. (1921). The Influence of the Sea on the Political History of Japan. London: John Murray.
  • Ballard, Vice-Admiral G. A., C.B. (1923). America and the Atlantic. London: Duckworth & Co..
  • Ballard, Admiral G. A., C.B. (1927). Rulers of the Indian Ocean. London: Duckworth & Co..
  • Ballard, Admiral G. A. (1980). The Black Battlefleet. Lymington; Greenwich: Nautical Publishing Company Limited and The Society for Nautical Research. ISBN 0245530304.

Papers

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
?
Captain of H.M.S. Janus
12 Dec, 1895[37] – 27 May, 1896
Succeeded by
John C. Soady
Preceded by
Henry E. Kellett
Captain of H.M.S. Renard
27 May, 1896
Succeeded by
Frank H. Peyton
Preceded by
Herbert L. Heath
Head of War Division
1 Jan, 1904[38][39] – 15 Jan, 1906[40][41]
Succeeded by
Harry Jones
Preceded by
Charles L. Napier
Captain of H.M.S. Euryalus
15 Jan, 1906[42]
Succeeded by
A. Gordon H. W. Moore
Preceded by
A. Gordon H. W. Moore
Captain of H.M.S. Royal Arthur
15 May, 1906[43] – 3 Jul, 1906[44]
Succeeded by
Norman C. Palmer
Preceded by
Henry H. Campbell
Captain of H.M.S. Terrible
3 Jul, 1906[45] – 20 Aug, 1907[46]
Succeeded by
Richard M. Harbord
Preceded by
Sir Robert K. Arbuthnot, Bart.
Captain of H.M.S. Hampshire
20 Aug, 1907[47][48] – 31 Dec, 1909[49]
Succeeded by
The Hon. Stanhope Hawke
Preceded by
The Hon. Horace L. A. Hood
Captain of H.M.S. Commonwealth
31 Dec, 1909[50] – Dec, 1910[51]
Succeeded by
Oswald W. Ormsby
Preceded by
Montague E. Browning
Captain of H.M.S. Britannia
9 Dec, 1910[52][53] – 1 Dec, 1911[54]
Succeeded by
Charles F. Thorp
Preceded by
New Appointment
Director of Operations Division
8 Jan, 1912[55] – 1 May, 1914[56]
Succeeded by
Arthur C. Leveson
Preceded by
John M. de Robeck
Admiral of Patrols
1 May, 1914[57] – 6 Nov, 1915
Succeeded by
George A. Ballard as East Coast of England Station
Preceded by
George A. Ballard as Admiral of Patrols
Rear-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England
6 Nov, 1915[58] – 1 May, 1916[59]
Succeeded by
Stuart Nicholson
as Vice-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England
Preceded by
Sir Arthur H. Limpus
Admiral Superintendent, Malta Dockyard
24 Sep, 1916[60] – 25 Oct, 1918[61]
Succeeded by
Brian H. F. Barttelot

Footnotes

  1. "Admiral Ballard's Memoirs: Part One." p. 350.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 25329. p. 1304. 1 January, 1897.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 26924. p. 7854. 31 December, 1897.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 27632. p. 25. 1 January, 1904.
  5. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 23 July, 1906. Issue 38079, col B, p. 6.
  6. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 7 July, 1906. Issue 38066, col C, p. 8.
  7. Entry for 14 December, 1906. "G A Ballard. Record of business letters &c." Ballard Papers. National Maritime Museum. MSS/80/200. Box 1.
  8. Entry for 3 January, 1907. "G A Ballard. Record of business letters &c." Ballard Papers. National Maritime Museum. MSS/80/200. Box 1.
  9. The National Archives. ADM 196/88. f. 29.
  10. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  11. The National Archives. ADM 196/88. f. 29.
  12. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  13. Letter of 17 October, 1911. The National Archives. CAB 1/31. f. 28.
  14. Letter of 22 October, 1911. The National Archives. CAB 1/31. f. 103.
  15. Letter of 17 October, 1911. The National Archives. CAB 1/31. f. 28.
  16. The King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions for the Government of His Majesty's Naval Service (1906). p. 3.
  17. Letter of 3 November, 1911. The National Archives. CAB 1/31. f. 183.
  18. Ballard to Churchill. Letter of 22 November, 1911. Churchill Papers. Churchill Archives Centre. CHAR 13/1/30.
  19. The National Archives. ADM 196/88. f. 29.
  20. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  21. The London Gazette: no. 28718. p. 3438. 13 May, 1913.
  22. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28724. p. 3903. 3 June, 1913.
  23. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 1 May, 1914. Issue 40512, col B, p. 6.
  24. The London Gazette: no. 28881. p. 6794. 28 August, 1914.
  25. Oliver. II. ff. 117-118.
  26. Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 29a.
  27. Rodger. "Ballard, George Alexander (1862–1948)."
  28. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. Volume 4. f. 65.
  29. Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (June, 1918). p. 8.
  30. ADM 196/88. f. 29.
  31. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. Volume 4. f. 65.
  32. The London Gazette: no. 31201. p. 2738. 25 February, 1919.
  33. The London Gazette: no. 32384. p. 5486. 8 July, 1921.
  34. The London Gazette: no. 32919. p. 2323. 18 March, 1924.
  35. "Deaths" (Deaths). The Times. Saturday, 18 September, 1948. Issue 51180, col A, p. 1.
  36. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  37. The Navy List. (March, 1896). p. 235.
  38. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  39. Naval Intelligence Department. Distribution of Work.—March 1905. The National Archives. ADM 231/45. p. 2.
  40. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  41. Naval Intelligence Department. Distribution of Work.—March 1905. The National Archives. ADM 231/45. p. 2.
  42. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  43. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  44. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  45. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  46. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  47. The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 323.
  48. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  49. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  50. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  51. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  52. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  53. The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 287.
  54. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  55. The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 121.
  56. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  57. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 1 May, 1914. Issue 40512, col B, p. 6.
  58. Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 29a.
  59. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  60. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.
  61. Ballard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 65.