Difference between revisions of "Joseph Montague Kenworthy, Tenth Baron Strabolgi"

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Kenworthy was born on 7 March, 1886, the son of Cuthbert Matthias Kenworthy. He was educated at the Royal Naval Academy and joined the [[Royal Navy]]. He passed in 34th out of 62 applicants for regular cadetships in March, 1901,<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''.  Monday, 22 April, 1901. Issue '''52748''', col D, p. 10.</ref> and on 15 May he was appointed as a {{NavCadRN}} in the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth. On 15 January, 1903, he was appointed to the battleship [[H.M.S. Goliath (1898)|''Goliath'']] on the [[China Station]], having passed out of the ''Britannia'' with 2½ months' time towards being rated {{MidRN}}, which he was on 28 February.
 
Kenworthy was born on 7 March, 1886, the son of Cuthbert Matthias Kenworthy. He was educated at the Royal Naval Academy and joined the [[Royal Navy]]. He passed in 34th out of 62 applicants for regular cadetships in March, 1901,<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''.  Monday, 22 April, 1901. Issue '''52748''', col D, p. 10.</ref> and on 15 May he was appointed as a {{NavCadRN}} in the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth. On 15 January, 1903, he was appointed to the battleship [[H.M.S. Goliath (1898)|''Goliath'']] on the [[China Station]], having passed out of the ''Britannia'' with 2½ months' time towards being rated {{MidRN}}, which he was on 28 February.
  
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He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 31 October, 1908.<ref>Kenworthy Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50.}} f. 286.</ref>
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On 14 May, 1907, he was appointed to the torpedo gun-boat ''Hussar'' in the Mediterranean. On 10 February, 1908, he was appointed to the destroyer ''Albatross'' in the Mediterranean Destroyer Flotilla. He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 31 October, 1908. He remained in ''Albatross'', in lieu of a Sub-Lieutenant, until 11 May, 1909. Commander [[John Ewen Cameron|John E. Cameron]] of ''Foam'' wrote of him:
  
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Kenworthy was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB55|f=t}} on 6 June, 1911.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 20 May, 1911.  Issue '''39590''', col B, p. 5.</ref>
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<blockquote>A hardworking officer but rather slow of a bullying nature which combined with a certain want of tact & breeding is apt to cause discontent & bad work when dealing with men. Though in some ways zealous & hardworking in his profession his want of accuracy particularly in Navigation is apt to spoil the result. He is a powerful man physically & probably capable of determination & courage.</blockquote>
  
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Kenworthy's appointment to an aviation course on 26 April, 1912 was cancelled, as he could not be spared from his present assignment. He failed a preliminary course in the German language in June, 1912.<ref>Kenworthy Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50.}} f. 286.</ref>
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On 20 December, 1909, he was appointed to the armoured cruiser [[H.M.S. Achilles (1905)|''Achilles'']]. Captain [[William Coldingham Masters Nicholson|William C. M. Nicholson]] wrote of him on giving up command in April, 1911, "Lacking in judgement but has improved. VG physically. Zealous." On 18 April his application for examinations for command of torpedo craft was approved. He passed in gunnery on 8 May, in navigation on 10 May, in torpedo on 11 May, but failed in signals on 12 May. Ordered to present himself again for examination, he evidently passed quickly, as he was appointed in command of the {{UK-TB55|f=t}} on 6 June.
  
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Kenworthy was appointed to ''Leander'' for command of the {{UK-Bullfinch|f=t}} of the [[Seventh Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Seventh Destroyer Flotilla]] on 9 January, 1913.{{NLJan15|p. 287}}
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Kenworthy's appointment to an aviation course on 26 April, 1912 was cancelled, as he could not be spared from his present assignment. He failed a preliminary course in the German language in June, 1912.<ref>Kenworthy Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50.}} f. 286.</ref>
  
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In September, 1913, ''Bullfinch'' struck {{UK-Leopard}} with a projectile (definitely not merely in a collision, as Wikipedia and its sources seem to believe). Kenworthy was faulted for maintaining an unsafe course and cautioned to be more careful.<ref>Kenworthy Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/50.}} f. 286.</ref><ref>Kenworthy Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/143.}} f. 687.</ref> He was superseded in ''Bullfinch'' on 20 October, 1915. His Captain (D), Captain [[Laurence Richard Oliphant|Laurence R. Oliphant]], had written of him on 22 September:
+
Kenworthy was appointed to ''Leander'' for command of the {{UK-Bullfinch|f=t}} of the [[Seventh Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Seventh Destroyer Flotilla]] on 9 January, 1913.{{NLJan15|p. 287}} In September, 1913, ''Bullfinch'' struck {{UK-Leopard}} with a projectile. Kenworthy was "Informed that his course was dangerous & warned to be more careful." He was superseded in ''Bullfinch'' on 20 October, 1915. His Captain (D), Captain [[Laurence Richard Oliphant|Laurence R. Oliphant]], had written of him on 22 September:
  
 
<blockquote>Have had frequent occasions to be dissatisfied with the way this officer has performed his duties, lack of appreciation shown of the responsibilities of his position, manners & bearing towards his own officers & men objectionable & irritating. LT. Kenworthy is in no way suited to command one of HM Ships.</blockquote>
 
<blockquote>Have had frequent occasions to be dissatisfied with the way this officer has performed his duties, lack of appreciation shown of the responsibilities of his position, manners & bearing towards his own officers & men objectionable & irritating. LT. Kenworthy is in no way suited to command one of HM Ships.</blockquote>

Revision as of 11:28, 9 November 2023

Lieutenant-Commander Joseph Montague Kenworthy, Tenth Baron Strabolgi (7 March, 1886 – 8 March, 1953) was an officer of the Royal Navy who entered politics after the Great War, serving in the House of Commons and then the House of Lords from 1919 until his death in 1953.

Life & Naval Career

Kenworthy was born on 7 March, 1886, the son of Cuthbert Matthias Kenworthy. He was educated at the Royal Naval Academy and joined the Royal Navy. He passed in 34th out of 62 applicants for regular cadetships in March, 1901,[1] and on 15 May he was appointed as a Naval Cadet in the training ship Britannia at Dartmouth. On 15 January, 1903, he was appointed to the battleship Goliath on the China Station, having passed out of the Britannia with 2½ months' time towards being rated Midshipman, which he was on 28 February.

On 14 May, 1907, he was appointed to the torpedo gun-boat Hussar in the Mediterranean. On 10 February, 1908, he was appointed to the destroyer Albatross in the Mediterranean Destroyer Flotilla. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 October, 1908. He remained in Albatross, in lieu of a Sub-Lieutenant, until 11 May, 1909. Commander John E. Cameron of Foam wrote of him:

A hardworking officer but rather slow of a bullying nature which combined with a certain want of tact & breeding is apt to cause discontent & bad work when dealing with men. Though in some ways zealous & hardworking in his profession his want of accuracy particularly in Navigation is apt to spoil the result. He is a powerful man physically & probably capable of determination & courage.

On 20 December, 1909, he was appointed to the armoured cruiser Achilles. Captain William C. M. Nicholson wrote of him on giving up command in April, 1911, "Lacking in judgement but has improved. VG physically. Zealous." On 18 April his application for examinations for command of torpedo craft was approved. He passed in gunnery on 8 May, in navigation on 10 May, in torpedo on 11 May, but failed in signals on 12 May. Ordered to present himself again for examination, he evidently passed quickly, as he was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 55 on 6 June.

Kenworthy's appointment to an aviation course on 26 April, 1912 was cancelled, as he could not be spared from his present assignment. He failed a preliminary course in the German language in June, 1912.[2]

Kenworthy was appointed to Leander for command of the destroyer Bullfinch of the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla on 9 January, 1913.[3] In September, 1913, Bullfinch struck Leopard with a projectile. Kenworthy was "Informed that his course was dangerous & warned to be more careful." He was superseded in Bullfinch on 20 October, 1915. His Captain (D), Captain Laurence R. Oliphant, had written of him on 22 September:

Have had frequent occasions to be dissatisfied with the way this officer has performed his duties, lack of appreciation shown of the responsibilities of his position, manners & bearing towards his own officers & men objectionable & irritating. LT. Kenworthy is in no way suited to command one of HM Ships.

The Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands, Admiral The Honourable Sir Stanley C. J. Colville, agreed, writing that it was "Most desirable that he be removed from Bullfinch[,] not a fit person to be in command of a destroyer." On 6 November he was appointed to the battleship Commonwealth in the Third Battle Squadron. Captain Herbert W. Richmond had been appointed in command on 26 October, and he and Kenworthy evidently got on well. In his report of 13 May, 1916, Richmond wrote:

Sat. average. German & some French, due course. Has been in charge of instructional work in which he is much interested & takes the greatest pains, is a reader principally history, strategy, education & foreign policy. Indefatigable in his studies & in his practical work. Strong, plays football, rows, a promising officer.

In his last report before leaving the ship, Richmond wrote of Kenworthy in April, 1917: "An officer of considerable mental rigour & character." In January, 1916, he had applied for command of a rigid airship, which application was noted. In November he was granted permission to visit the British Army in France. On 18 May, 1917, he completed a Torpedo Control Course at H.M.S. Vernon.

Kenworthy was automatically promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 31 December, 1916, after eight years as a Lieutenant.[4]

On 21 October, 1918, Kenworthy was appointed to Blake, depôt ship of the Eleventh Destroyer Flotilla,[5] as first officer and gunnery officer. On 18 November, however, he was granted permission to run for parliament and was told he could leave Blake as soon as he was relieved. Apparently, that relief arrived that same day.[6]

In 1936, Their Lordships recorded that they did not feel that Kenworthy should retain a .32 Calibre Colt Automatic Pistol No. 212744, as it was not being used for Naval Service.[7]

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Lord Strabolgi" (Obituaries). The Times. Friday, 9 October, 1953. Issue 52748, col C, p. 11.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Granville Murray-Browne 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 055
6 Jun, 1911[8][9] – 5 Mar, 1912[10] 		Succeeded by
Walter G. Holliday
Preceded by
Arthur M. Peters 		Captain of H.M.S. Bullfinch
9 Jan, 1913[11][12] – 20 Oct, 1915[13] 		Succeeded by
Herbert M. Hughes

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 22 April, 1901. Issue 52748, col D, p. 10.
  2. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. 286.
  3. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 287.
  4. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. 286.
  5. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (November, 1918). p. 12.
  6. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. v.
  7. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. 286.
  8. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence". The Times. Saturday, 20 May, 1911. Issue 39590, col B, p. 5.
  9. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. ?.
  10. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. ?.
  11. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 392o.
  12. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. Unnumbered folio.
  13. ↑ Kenworthy Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50. f. ?.

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