William Robert Wildman Kettlewell

Captain (retired) William Robert Wildman Kettlewell, R.N. (4 September, 1877 – ) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born on Harptree Court in Bristol, Kettlewell gained twelve months' time on passing out of Britannia.

From 9 November 1897 to the 30 June 1899, Kettlewell commanded torpedo boats based in Gibraltar. On 9 August, 1898, he was subjected to a Court Martial for stranding T.B. 91 and was acquitted. He was found to have been careless in a 13 March, 1899 grounding of T.B. 93.

Despite these misfortunes, Kettlewell was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1899 and was presently sent home, arriving in England on 24 September.

Kettlewell was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1911.

In July 1912, he participated in an International Radio-Telegraphic Conference in London. In May 1913, he was appointed the Admiralty member of a Board of Trade Committee on Electrical Communication with Lighthouses. Soon thereafter, he was empanelled on a Committee on Wireless Telegraphy and was recommened for early promotion by the Chief of the War Staff.

He was appointed to the battleship Prince of Wales as executive officer on 12 October, 1915 and served in that capacity until she paid off on 5 April, 1917.

Kettlewell was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 19 April, 1920 and subsequently promoted to the rank of Captain (retired) on 4 September, 1922.

See Also

• Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Raymond Fitzmaurice	Captain of H.M.S. Espiegle 18 Jul, 1918 – c. Jan, 1920[Inference]	Succeeded by Colin A. M. Sarel