Jellicoe:Command and China

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The Life of Admiral of the Fleet
John Rushworth Jellicoe,
First Earl Jellicoe

5 December, 1869 – 20 November, 1935
Jellicoe, 1920.JPG
Chapters
Background and Early LifeService as LieutenantCommanderCommand and ChinaDirector of Naval OrdnanceFlag Rank and ControllerSea Service and Second Sea LordCommand of the Grand FleetThe War at Sea, 1914-1916The Battle of JutlandAfter JutlandFirst Sea Lord and the Submarine MenaceControversy and DismissalEmpire TourGovernor-General of New ZealandThe Jutland ControversyRetirementDeath and Legacy

Jellicoe was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1897.[1]

He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Division, or Companion, of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 9 November, 1900, "in recognition of services rendered during the recent disturbance in China."[2]

Jellicoe paid off Centurion on 19 September, 1901. On 8 November he was appointed to President for service at the Admiralty as Naval Assistant to the Controller. His salary was fixed at £950 per annum.

Admiralty & Marriage

I had then been much attracted by Gwendoline the second daughter who was just out. During my visits to Glasgow in 1901 and 1902 to supervise the ships building by contract I stayed frequently at Rolston and became more in touch with the family. In the early part of the year 1902, I accompanied them on board a new ship of the Clan Line, the Clan [name not given] for her steam trials, and when skylarking with the boys, sprained my knee rather badly, with the result that I had to stay for a week at Rolston before I could travel. During this week I came to the conclusion that my future happiness depended on my persuading Gwendoline to marry me. I proposed on February 9th and to my joy was accepted.[3]
On 8 March he received his China War Medal from King Edward VII at Plymouth.[4][5]

Jellicoe and Gwendoline Cayzer were married at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, London, in the afternoon of 1 July. The Reverend F. G. G. Jellicoe, of Alverstoke, Hants., his brother, officiated. George Aston, now a Lieutenant-Colonel, and also a Companion of the Bath, was best man. Prince Henry of Prussia sent sent Captain Coerper of the Imperial German Navy to represent him.[6]

He returned to sea on 12 August, 1903, in command of the armoured cruiser Drake. On 31 October he was appointed a "member of a Committee to enquire into causes of flooding compartments of Prince George other than those injured by collision with Hannibal." Drake was inspected by Rear-Admiral Wilmot H. Fawkes in October, 1904, who noted of Jellicoe, "Has great zeal & ability & a thorough knowledge of his profession. He has shown in leading the lee line that he will handle a squadron well. I believe his constitution is sound but long hours tire him."[7]

Footnotes

  1. The London Gazette: no. 26809. p. 3. 1 January, 1897.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 27245. p. 6853. 9 November, 1900.
  3. Add. Mss. 49038. f. 51.
  4. Medal No. 2650. The National Archives. ADM 171/55.
  5. "The King and Queen in Devon" (News). The Times. Monday, 10 March, 1902. Issue 36711, col A, p. 10.
  6. "Court and Social" (Court and Social). The Times. Wednesday, 2 July, 1902. Issue 36809, col B, p. 10.
  7. Jellicoe Service Record. ADM 196/87. f. 27.