Charles Forbes (Royal Navy officer): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
KasparBot (talk | contribs)
1,549,811 edits
No edit summary
 
(21 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet (1880-1960)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
⚫
| honorific_prefix = [[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]]
|name= Sir Charles Forbes
| name = Sir Charles Forbes
|birth_date= 22 November 1880
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|DSO}}
|death_date= 28 August 1960
⚫
| image = Charlesforbes1.JPG
⚫
|birth_place= [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]]
| image_size =
⚫
|death_place= [[Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital]], [[London]]
| alt =
⚫
|image= Charlesforbes1.JPG
|caption= Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes
| caption = Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes
|nickname=
| nickname =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1880|11|22|df=yes}}
⚫
|allegiance= {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]
⚫
| birth_place = [[Colombo]], [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]]
|serviceyears=1894–1943
| death_date = {{death date and age|1960|08|28|1880|11|22|df=yes}}
⚫
|rank= [[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]]
⚫
| death_place = [[Queen Alexandra Military Hospital]], [[London]]
|branch=[[File:Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg|23px]] [[Royal Navy]]
| placeofburial =
|commands=[[HMS Galatea (1914)|HMS ''Galatea'']]<br>[[HMS Queen Elizabeth (1913)|HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'']]<br>[[HMS Iron Duke (1912)|HMS ''Iron Duke'']]<br>[[1st Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|1st Battle Squadron]]<br>[[Home Fleet]]<br>[[Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth|Plymouth Command]]
⚫
| allegiance = United Kingdom
|unit=
| branch = [[Royal Navy]]
⚫
|battles=[[World War I]]<br>[[World War II]]
| serviceyears = 1894–1943
|awards=[[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]]
| rank = [[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]]
⚫
|laterwork=
| unit =
| commands = [[Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth|Plymouth Command]]<br/>[[Home Fleet]]<br/>[[1st Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|1st Battle Squadron]]<br/>{{HMS|Iron Duke|1912|6}}<br/>{{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|1913|6}}<br/>{{HMS|Galatea|1914|6}}
⚫
| battles = [[First World War]]
* [[Gallipoli campaign]]
* [[Battle of Jutland]]
[[Second World War]]
* [[Norwegian campaign]]
| awards = [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]]<br/>[[Order of Saint Stanislaus (House of Romanov)|Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd Class with Swords]] (Russia)<br/>[[Legion of Honour]] (France)
| relations =
⚫
| laterwork =
}}
}}
⚫
[[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] '''Sir Charles Morton Forbes''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|GCB|DSO}} (22 November 1880 – 28 August 1960) was a [[Royal Navy]] officer. He served in the [[First World War]], seeing action in the [[Gallipoli campaign|Dardanelles campaign]] and at the [[Battle of Jutland]] and, as captain of a [[cruiser]], was present at the [[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|surrender of the German fleet]]. During the [[Second World War]], he served as Commander-in-Chief, [[Home Fleet]]: his fleet suffered heavy losses including the [[aircraft carrier]] {{HMS|Glorious||6}} and nine [[destroyer]]s during the [[Norwegian campaign]] in Spring 1940. He went on to be [[Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth]] in May 1941 and in that capacity he organised the defence of [[Plymouth]] from air attack, prosecuted attacks on enemy shipping using the harbour at [[Brest, France|Brest]] as well as other ports along the French coast, and also initiated the [[St Nazaire Raid]] in March 1942 before retiring in August 1943.

⚫
[[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] '''Sir Charles Morton Forbes''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|GCB|DSO}} (22 November 1880 – 28 August 1960) was a [[Royal Navy]] officer. He served in the [[World War I|First World War]] seeing action in the [[Gallipoli Campaign|Dardanelles Campaign]] and at the [[Battle of Jutland]] and, as captain of a [[cruiser]], was present at the [[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|surrender of the German fleet]]. During the [[World War II|Second World War]] he served initially as Commander-in-Chief, [[Home Fleet]]: his fleet suffered heavy losses including the [[aircraft carrier]] [[HMS Glorious|HMS ''Glorious'']] and nine [[destroyer]]s during the [[Norwegian Campaign]] in Spring 1940. He went on to be [[Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth]] in May 1941 and in that capacity he organised the defence of [[Plymouth]] from air attack, prosecuted attacks on enemy shipping using the harbour at [[Brest, France|Brest]] as well as other ports along the French coast, and also initiated the [[St Nazaire Raid]] in March 1942 before retiring in August 1943.


==Naval career==
==Naval career==

===Early career===
===Early career===
Born the son of James Forbes and Caroline Forbes (née Delmege), Forbes was educated at [[Dollar Academy]] and [[Eastman's Royal Naval Academy]].<ref name=odnb>{{ODNBweb|id=33190|title=Forbes, Sir Charles Morton}}</ref> He joined the training ship [[HMS Prince of Wales (1860)|HMS ''Britannia'']] as a [[cadet]] on 15 July 1894.<ref name=admirals>{{cite web|url=http://www.admirals.org.uk/admirals/fleet/forbescm.php|title=Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes|publisher=Admirals.org|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> He was promoted to [[midshipman]] on 15 July 1896 and posted to the [[battleship]] [[HMS Magnificent (1894)|HMS ''Magnificent'']] in the [[Channel Fleet]] in September 1896 and to the [[armored cruiser|armoured cruiser]] [[HMS Imperieuse (1883)|HMS ''Imperieuse'']] on the [[Pacific Station]] in January 1898.<ref name=heath84>Heathcote, p. 84</ref> Promoted to acting [[sub-lieutenant]] on 15 January 1900,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=27300|startpage=2195|supp=|date=29 March 1901|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he returned to the United Kingdom for his promotion courses.<ref name=heath84/> Promoted to [[Lieutenant (navy)|lieutenant]] on 15 January 1901,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=27372|startpage=7146|supp=|date=5 November 1901|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he was appointed to the battleship [[HMS Royal Oak (1892)|HMS ''Royal Oak'']] in the [[Mediterranean Fleet]].<ref name=heath84/>
Born in [[Ceylon]], to James Forbes and Caroline Forbes (née Delmege). His father was a tea-[[broker]], founder of the merchant [[broker]]age house Forbes and Walker Ltd. Charles Forbes was educated at [[Dollar Academy]] and [[Eastman's Royal Naval Academy]].<ref name=odnb>{{ODNBweb|id=33190|title=Forbes, Sir Charles Morton}}</ref> He joined the training ship [[HMS Prince of Wales (1860)|HMS ''Britannia'']] as a [[cadet]] on 15 July 1894.<ref name=admirals>{{cite web|url=http://www.admirals.org.uk/admirals/fleet/forbescm.php|title=Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes|publisher=Admirals.org|accessdate=7 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205140320/http://www.admirals.org.uk/admirals/fleet/forbescm.php|archive-date=5 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was promoted to [[midshipman]] on 15 July 1896 and posted to the [[battleship]] {{HMS|Magnificent|1894|6}} in the [[Channel Fleet]] in September 1896 and to the [[armored cruiser|armoured cruiser]] {{HMS|Imperieuse|1883|6}} on the [[Pacific Station]] in January 1898.<ref name=heath84>Heathcote, p. 84</ref> Promoted to acting [[sub-lieutenant]] on 15 January 1900,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27300|page=2195|date=29 March 1901}}</ref> he returned to the United Kingdom for his promotion courses.<ref name=heath84/> Promoted to [[Lieutenant (navy)|lieutenant]] on 15 January 1901,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27372|page=7146|date=5 November 1901}}</ref> he was appointed to the battleship {{HMS|Royal Oak|1892|6}} in the [[Mediterranean Fleet]].<ref name=heath84/>


In early April 1902 Forbes transferred to the armoured cruiser [[HMS Aboukir (1900)|HMS ''Aboukir'']], also serving in the Mediterranean Fleet.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |articlename=Naval & Military intelligence |day_of_week=Thursday |date=13 March 1902 |page_number=10 |issue=36714| }}</ref> After attending the gunnery school [[HMS Excellent (shore establishment)|HMS ''Excellent'']] in 1903, he was assigned to Directing Staff at the gunnery school [[HMS Windsor Castle (1858)|HMS ''Cambridge'']] in June 1904.<ref name=heath84/> He then became gunnery officer in the armoured cruiser [[HMS Carnarvon|HMS ''Carnarvon'']] in the Mediterranean Fleet in May 1905 and gunnery officer in the battleship [[HMS Dominion (1903)|HMS ''Dominion'']] in the Channel Fleet in May 1908.<ref name=heath85>Heathcote, p. 85</ref> After joining the staff of the Inspectorate of Target Practice in October 1910, he became gunnery officer in the battleship [[HMS Superb (1907)|HMS ''Superb'']] in the Home Fleet in February 1911 and then, having been promoted to [[commander]] on 31 December 1912,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=28677|startpage=6|supp=yes|date=31 December 1912|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he returned to the gunnery school HMS ''Excellent'' in early 1913.<ref name=heath85/>
In early April 1902 Forbes transferred to the armoured cruiser {{HMS|Aboukir|1900|6}}, also serving in the Mediterranean Fleet.<ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Naval & Military intelligence |date=13 March 1902 |page=10 |issue=36714}}</ref> After attending the gunnery school {{HMS|Excellent|shore establishment|6}} in 1903, he was assigned to Directing Staff at the gunnery school [[HMS Windsor Castle (1858)|HMS ''Cambridge'']] in June 1904.<ref name=heath84/> He then became gunnery officer in the armoured cruiser {{HMS|Carnarvon||6}} in the Mediterranean Fleet in May 1905 and gunnery officer in the battleship {{HMS|Dominion|1903|6}} in the Channel Fleet in May 1908.<ref name=heath85>Heathcote, p. 85</ref> After joining the staff of the Inspectorate of Target Practice in October 1910, he became gunnery officer in the battleship {{HMS|Superb|1907|6}} in the Home Fleet in February 1911 and then, having been promoted to [[commander]] on 31 December 1912,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=28677|page=6|supp=y|date=31 December 1912}}</ref> he returned to the gunnery school HMS ''Excellent'' in early 1913.<ref name=heath85/>


===First World War===
===First World War===
[[File:HMS Galatea (1914).jpg|thumb|left|The cruiser, [[HMS Galatea (1914)|HMS ''Galatea'']], commanded by Charles Forbes during the First World War]]
[[File:HMS Galatea (1914).jpg|thumb|left|The cruiser, {{HMS|Galatea|1914|6}}, commanded by Charles Forbes during the First World War]]
Forbes served in the [[World War I|First World War]] as Executive Officer in the battleship [[HMS Queen Elizabeth (1913)|HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'']] in the Mediterranean Fleet from November 1914 and saw action in the [[Gallipoli Campaign|Dardanelles Campaign]] in April 1915.<ref name=heath84/> He became Flag Commander to Admiral [[John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe|Sir John Jellicoe]], Commander-in-Chief of the [[Grand Fleet]], in the battleship [[HMS Iron Duke (1912)|HMS ''Iron Duke'']] in October 1915 and saw action at the [[Battle of Jutland]] in May 1916 for which he was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] on 15 September 1916.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=29751|startpage=9071|supp=yes|date=15 September 1916|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> He moved on to become Flag Commander to Admiral [[Sir Charles Madden, 1st Baronet|Sir Charles Madden]], Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet, in the battleship [[HMS Revenge (06)|HMS ''Revenge'']] in February 1917.<ref name=heath85/> He was awarded the [[Order of Saint Stanislaus]], 2nd Class with Swords for his action during the Battle of Jutland on 5 June 1917.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=30116|startpage=5592|supp=yes|date=5 June 1917|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> Promoted to [[Captain (Royal Navy)|captain]] on 30 June 1917,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=30156|startpage=6413|supp=|date=29 June 1917|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he was given command of the cruiser [[HMS Galatea (1914)|HMS ''Galatea'']] in the Grand Fleet in July 1917 and was present at the [[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|surrender of the German fleet]] in November 1918.<ref name=odnb/>
Forbes served in the [[First World War]] as Executive Officer in the battleship {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|1913|6}} in the Mediterranean Fleet from November 1914 and saw action in the [[Gallipoli campaign|Dardanelles campaign]] in April 1915.<ref name=heath84/> He became Flag Commander to Admiral [[John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe|Sir John Jellicoe]], Commander-in-Chief of the [[Grand Fleet]], in the battleship {{HMS|Iron Duke|1912|6}} in October 1915 and saw action at the [[Battle of Jutland]] in May 1916 for which he was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]] on 15 September 1916.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=29751|page=9071|supp=y|date=15 September 1916}}</ref> He moved on to become Flag Commander to Admiral [[Sir Charles Madden, 1st Baronet|Sir Charles Madden]], Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet, in the battleship {{HMS|Revenge|06|6}} in February 1917.<ref name=heath85/> He was awarded the [[Order of Saint Stanislaus (House of Romanov)|Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd Class with Swords]] for his action during the Battle of Jutland on 5 June 1917.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30116|page=5592|supp=y|date=5 June 1917}}</ref> Promoted to [[Captain (Royal Navy)|captain]] on 30 June 1917,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30156|page=6413|date=29 June 1917}}</ref> he was given command of the cruiser {{HMS|Galatea|1914|6}} in the Grand Fleet in July 1917 and was present at the [[Scuttling of the German fleet in Scapa Flow|surrender of the German fleet]] in November 1918.<ref name=odnb/>


===The inter-war years===
===Inter-war years===
After the end of the war Forbes served as Naval Member of the Ordnance Committee from October 1919 and then, after attending the Senior Officers' course at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|Royal Naval War College]], he served as Deputy Director of the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|Royal Navy Staff College]] from August 1921.<ref name=heath85/> He became Flag Captain to the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet in the battleship HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' in June 1923, Flag Captain to the Flag Officer Commanding the [[3rd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|3rd Battle Squadron]] in the battleship HMS ''Iron Duke'' in October 1924 and Director of Naval Ordnance at the [[Admiralty]] in June 1925.<ref name=heath85/> He was appointed a naval [[aide-de-camp]] to [[George V|the King]] on 12 April 1928.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=33376|startpage=2741|supp=|date=17 April 1928|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> Promoted to [[rear admiral]] on 5 October 1928<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=33430|startpage=6633|supp=|date=16 October 1928|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> and appointed a [[Order of the Bath|Companion of the Order of the Bath]] on 3 June 1929,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=33501|startpage=3667|supp=yes|date=31 May 1929|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he became Rear Admiral commanding the Destroyer Flotillas in the Mediterranean Fleet with his flag in the cruiser [[HMS Coventry (D43)|HMS ''Coventry'']] in August 1930 and [[Third Sea Lord|Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy]] in March 1932.<ref name=heath85/> Promoted to [[vice admiral]] on 21 January 1933,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=33905|startpage=524|supp=|date=24 January 1933|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he became Vice Admiral commanding [[1st Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|1st Battle Squadron]] and Second in Command of the Mediterranean Fleet with his flag in the battleship HMS ''Revenge'' in April 1934.<ref name=heath85/> Advanced to [[Order of the Bath|Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] on 3 June 1935,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=34166|startpage=3594|supp=yes|date=31 May 1935|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he re-deployed his fleet from [[Malta]] to [[Alexandria]] to avoid attack by the [[Regia Marina|Italian Navy]] at the start of the [[Second Italo-Ethiopian War]] in October 1935.<ref name=heath85/> Promoted to full [[admiral]] on 19 August 1936,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=34316|startpage=5476|supp=|date=21 August 1936|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he became Commander-in-Chief, [[Home Fleet]] with his flag in the battleship [[HMS Nelson (28)|HMS ''Nelson'']] in April 1938.<ref name=heath86>Heathcote, p. 86</ref>
After the end of the war, Forbes served as Naval Member of the Ordnance Committee from October 1919 and then, after attending the Senior Officers' course at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|Royal Naval War College]], he served as Deputy Director of the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich|Royal Navy Staff College]] from August 1921.<ref name=heath85/> He became Flag Captain to the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet in the battleship HMS ''Queen Elizabeth'' in June 1923, Flag Captain to the Flag Officer Commanding the [[3rd Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|3rd Battle Squadron]] in the battleship HMS ''Iron Duke'' in October 1924 and Director of Naval Ordnance at the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] in June 1925.<ref name=heath85/> He was appointed a naval [[aide-de-camp]] to [[George V|the King]] on 12 April 1928.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=33376|page=2741|date=17 April 1928}}</ref> Promoted to [[rear admiral]] on 5 October 1928<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=33430|page=6633|date=16 October 1928}}</ref> and appointed a [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]] on 3 June 1929,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=33501|page=3667|supp=y|date=31 May 1929}}</ref> he became Rear Admiral commanding the Destroyer Flotillas in the Mediterranean Fleet with his flag in the cruiser {{HMS|Coventry|D43|6}} in August 1930 and [[Third Sea Lord|Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy]] in March 1932.<ref name=heath85/> Promoted to [[vice admiral]] on 21 January 1933,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=33905|page=524|date=24 January 1933}}</ref> he became Vice Admiral commanding [[1st Battle Squadron (United Kingdom)|1st Battle Squadron]] and Second in Command of the Mediterranean Fleet with his flag in the battleship HMS ''Revenge'' in April 1934.<ref name=heath85/> Advanced to [[Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath]] on 3 June 1935,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34166|page=3594|supp=y|date=31 May 1935}}</ref> he re-deployed his fleet from [[Malta]] to [[Alexandria]] to avoid attack by the [[Regia Marina|Italian Navy]] at the start of the [[Second Italo-Ethiopian War]] in October 1935.<ref name=heath85/> Promoted to full [[admiral]] on 19 August 1936,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34316|page=5476|date=21 August 1936}}</ref> he became Commander-in-Chief, [[Home Fleet]] with his flag in the battleship {{HMS|Nelson|28|6}} in April 1938.<ref name=heath86>Heathcote, p. 86</ref>


===The Second World War and retirement===
===Second World War===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-MW-3722-03, St. Nazaire, Zerstörer 'HMS Campbeltown'.jpg|thumb|left|alt=ship at 45 degree angle showing damage caused by German gunfire and impact with the dock|The destroyer, [[HMS Campbeltown (I42)|HMS ''Campbeltown'']], wedged in the dock gates during the St Nazaire Raid]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-MW-3722-03, St. Nazaire, Zerstörer 'HMS Campbeltown'.jpg|thumb|right|alt=ship at 45-degree angle showing damage caused by German gunfire and impact with the dock|The destroyer {{HMS|Campbeltown|I42|6}} wedged in the dock gates during the St Nazaire Raid]]
Forbes served in the [[World War II|Second World War]] initially as Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet in which role he transferred his flag to the battleship [[HMS Rodney (29)|HMS ''Rodney'']] in December 1939.<ref name=heath86/> His fleet suffered heavy losses including the [[aircraft carrier]] [[HMS Glorious|HMS ''Glorious'']] and nine [[destroyer]]s during the [[Norwegian Campaign]] in Spring 1940.<ref name=heath86/> He was on board HMS ''Rodney'' when she came under air attack and was hit by a 500&nbsp;kg (1,103&nbsp;lb) bomb that pierced the armoured deck on 9 April 1940.<ref name=heath86/> Promoted to [[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] on 8 May 1940<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=34849|startpage=2892|supp=|date=14 May 1940|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> and advanced to [[Order of the Bath|Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] on 11 July 1940,<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=34893|startpage=4243|supp=yes|date=9 July 1940|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> he became [[Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth]] in May 1941.<ref name=heath86/> In that capacity he organised the defence of [[Plymouth]] from air attack, prosecuted attacks on enemy shipping using the harbour at [[Brest, France|Brest]] as well as other ports along the French coast, and also initiated the [[St Nazaire Raid]] in March 1942.<ref name=odnb/>
Forbes served in the [[Second World War]] as Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet, in which role he transferred his flag to the battleship {{HMS|Rodney|29|6}} in December 1939.<ref name=heath86/> His fleet suffered heavy losses including the [[aircraft carrier]] {{HMS|Glorious||6}} and nine [[destroyer]]s during the [[Norwegian campaign]] in Spring 1940.<ref name=heath86/> He was on board ''Rodney'' when she came under air attack and was hit by a 500&nbsp;kg (1,103&nbsp;lb) bomb that pierced the armoured deck on 9 April 1940.<ref name=heath86/> Promoted to [[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral of the Fleet]] on 8 May 1940<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34849|page=2892|date=14 May 1940}}</ref> and advanced to [[Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath]] on 11 July 1940,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=34893|page=4243|supp=y|date=9 July 1940}}</ref> he became [[Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth]] in May 1941.<ref name=heath86/> In that capacity he organised the defence of [[Plymouth]] from air attack, prosecuted attacks on enemy shipping using the harbour at [[Brest, France|Brest]] as well as other ports along the French coast, and also initiated the [[St Nazaire Raid]] in March 1942.<ref name=odnb/>


==Retirement==
After retiring on 24 August 1943, Forbes pursued his interests in golf and lived at Cawsand Place at [[Wentworth Estate|Wentworth]] in [[Surrey]].<ref name=heath86/> He attended the funeral of [[George VI|King George VI]] in February 1952<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=39575|supp=yes|startpage=3365|date=17 June 1952|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> and the [[coronation]] of [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]] in June 1953.<ref>{{LondonGazette|issue=40020|supp=yes|startpage=6268|date=17 November 1953|accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> He died at the [[Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital]] in London on 28 August 1960.<ref name=heath86/>
After retiring on 24 August 1943, Forbes pursued his interests in golf and lived at Cawsand Place at [[Wentworth Estate|Wentworth]] in [[Surrey]].<ref name=heath86/> He attended the funeral of King [[George VI]] in February 1952<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=39575|supp=y|page=3365|date=17 June 1952}}</ref> and the [[coronation]] of Queen [[Elizabeth II]] in June 1953.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=40020|supp=y|page=6268|date=17 November 1953}}</ref> He died at the [[Queen Alexandra Military Hospital]] in London on 28 August 1960.<ref name=heath86/>


==Family==
==Family==
In 1909 Forbes married Agnes Millicent Ewen; they had a son and a daughter.<ref name=heath85/> Following the death of his first wife, he married Marie Louise Berndtson in 1921; they had one daughter.<ref name=odnb/>
In 1909 Forbes married Agnes Millicent Ewen; they had a son and a daughter.<ref name=heath85/> Following the death of his first wife, he married Marie Louise Berndtson in 1921. They had one daughter; the opera critic, journalist, author, and musicologist [[Elizabeth Forbes (musicologist)|Elizabeth Forbes]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/elizabeth-forbes-musicologist-and-critic-who-translated-librettos-and-wrote-nearly-100-obituaries-for-the-independent-9868824.html|title= Elizabeth Forbes: Musicologist and critic who translated librettos and wrote nearly 100 obituaries for 'The Independent'|author=Elaine Padmore|work=[[The Independent]]|date=19 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=odnb/> His younger brother was [[Colonel]] [[Oswald Boyd Forbes]].<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Forbes & Walker, Ltd (1881-1954)|editor=Dury, N. D.|date=1995|publisher=Whittall Company Ltd|place=Colombo|page=2}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 79: Line 89:
[[Category:People educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy]]
[[Category:People educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy]]
[[Category:People educated at Dollar Academy]]
[[Category:People educated at Dollar Academy]]
[[Category:People from Colombo]]
[[Category:People from Virginia Water]]
[[Category:19th-century Royal Navy personnel]]

Latest revision as of 01:00, 29 April 2024

Admiral of the Fleet

Sir Charles Forbes

GCB, DSO
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes
Born(1880-11-22)22 November 1880
Colombo, Ceylon
Died28 August 1960(1960-08-28) (aged 79)
Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, London
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1894–1943
RankAdmiral of the Fleet
Commands heldPlymouth Command
Home Fleet
1st Battle Squadron
HMS Iron Duke
HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Galatea
Battles/warsFirst World War

Second World War

AwardsKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd Class with Swords (Russia)
Legion of Honour (France)

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Morton Forbes, GCB, DSO (22 November 1880 – 28 August 1960) was a Royal Navy officer. He served in the First World War, seeing action in the Dardanelles campaign and at the Battle of Jutland and, as captain of a cruiser, was present at the surrender of the German fleet. During the Second World War, he served as Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet: his fleet suffered heavy losses including the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and nine destroyers during the Norwegian campaign in Spring 1940. He went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth in May 1941 and in that capacity he organised the defence of Plymouth from air attack, prosecuted attacks on enemy shipping using the harbour at Brest as well as other ports along the French coast, and also initiated the St Nazaire Raid in March 1942 before retiring in August 1943.

Naval career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Born in Ceylon, to James Forbes and Caroline Forbes (née Delmege). His father was a tea-broker, founder of the merchant brokerage house Forbes and Walker Ltd. Charles Forbes was educated at Dollar Academy and Eastman's Royal Naval Academy.[1] He joined the training ship HMS Britannia as a cadet on 15 July 1894.[2] He was promoted to midshipman on 15 July 1896 and posted to the battleship HMS Magnificent in the Channel Fleet in September 1896 and to the armoured cruiser HMS Imperieuse on the Pacific Station in January 1898.[3] Promoted to acting sub-lieutenant on 15 January 1900,[4] he returned to the United Kingdom for his promotion courses.[3] Promoted to lieutenant on 15 January 1901,[5] he was appointed to the battleship HMS Royal Oak in the Mediterranean Fleet.[3]

In early April 1902 Forbes transferred to the armoured cruiser HMS Aboukir, also serving in the Mediterranean Fleet.[6] After attending the gunnery school HMS Excellent in 1903, he was assigned to Directing Staff at the gunnery school HMS Cambridge in June 1904.[3] He then became gunnery officer in the armoured cruiser HMS Carnarvon in the Mediterranean Fleet in May 1905 and gunnery officer in the battleship HMS Dominion in the Channel Fleet in May 1908.[7] After joining the staff of the Inspectorate of Target Practice in October 1910, he became gunnery officer in the battleship HMS Superb in the Home Fleet in February 1911 and then, having been promoted to commander on 31 December 1912,[8] he returned to the gunnery school HMS Excellent in early 1913.[7]

First World War[edit]

The cruiser, HMS Galatea, commanded by Charles Forbes during the First World War

Forbes served in the First World War as Executive Officer in the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth in the Mediterranean Fleet from November 1914 and saw action in the Dardanelles campaign in April 1915.[3] He became Flag Commander to Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, in the battleship HMS Iron Duke in October 1915 and saw action at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916 for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 15 September 1916.[9] He moved on to become Flag Commander to Admiral Sir Charles Madden, Second-in-Command of the Grand Fleet, in the battleship HMS Revenge in February 1917.[7] He was awarded the Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd Class with Swords for his action during the Battle of Jutland on 5 June 1917.[10] Promoted to captain on 30 June 1917,[11] he was given command of the cruiser HMS Galatea in the Grand Fleet in July 1917 and was present at the surrender of the German fleet in November 1918.[1]

Inter-war years[edit]

After the end of the war, Forbes served as Naval Member of the Ordnance Committee from October 1919 and then, after attending the Senior Officers' course at the Royal Naval War College, he served as Deputy Director of the Royal Navy Staff College from August 1921.[7] He became Flag Captain to the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet in the battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth in June 1923, Flag Captain to the Flag Officer Commanding the 3rd Battle Squadron in the battleship HMS Iron Duke in October 1924 and Director of Naval Ordnance at the Admiralty in June 1925.[7] He was appointed a naval aide-de-camp to the King on 12 April 1928.[12] Promoted to rear admiral on 5 October 1928[13] and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath on 3 June 1929,[14] he became Rear Admiral commanding the Destroyer Flotillas in the Mediterranean Fleet with his flag in the cruiser HMS Coventry in August 1930 and Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy in March 1932.[7] Promoted to vice admiral on 21 January 1933,[15] he became Vice Admiral commanding 1st Battle Squadron and Second in Command of the Mediterranean Fleet with his flag in the battleship HMS Revenge in April 1934.[7] Advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 3 June 1935,[16] he re-deployed his fleet from Malta to Alexandria to avoid attack by the Italian Navy at the start of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War in October 1935.[7] Promoted to full admiral on 19 August 1936,[17] he became Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet with his flag in the battleship HMS Nelson in April 1938.[18]

Second World War[edit]

ship at 45-degree angle showing damage caused by German gunfire and impact with the dock
The destroyer HMS Campbeltown wedged in the dock gates during the St Nazaire Raid

Forbes served in the Second World War as Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet, in which role he transferred his flag to the battleship HMS Rodney in December 1939.[18] His fleet suffered heavy losses including the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and nine destroyers during the Norwegian campaign in Spring 1940.[18] He was on board Rodney when she came under air attack and was hit by a 500 kg (1,103 lb) bomb that pierced the armoured deck on 9 April 1940.[18] Promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 8 May 1940[19] and advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on 11 July 1940,[20] he became Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth in May 1941.[18] In that capacity he organised the defence of Plymouth from air attack, prosecuted attacks on enemy shipping using the harbour at Brest as well as other ports along the French coast, and also initiated the St Nazaire Raid in March 1942.[1]

Retirement[edit]

After retiring on 24 August 1943, Forbes pursued his interests in golf and lived at Cawsand Place at Wentworth in Surrey.[18] He attended the funeral of King George VI in February 1952[21] and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953.[22] He died at the Queen Alexandra Military Hospital in London on 28 August 1960.[18]

Family[edit]

In 1909 Forbes married Agnes Millicent Ewen; they had a son and a daughter.[7] Following the death of his first wife, he married Marie Louise Berndtson in 1921. They had one daughter; the opera critic, journalist, author, and musicologist Elizabeth Forbes.[23][1] His younger brother was Colonel Oswald Boyd Forbes.[24]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Forbes, Sir Charles Morton". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/33190. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  2. ^ "Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes". Admirals.org. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e Heathcote, p. 84
  4. ^ "No. 27300". The London Gazette. 29 March 1901. p. 2195.
  5. ^ "No. 27372". The London Gazette. 5 November 1901. p. 7146.
  6. ^ "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times. No. 36714. London. 13 March 1902. p. 10.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Heathcote, p. 85
  8. ^ "No. 28677". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1912. p. 6.
  9. ^ "No. 29751". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 September 1916. p. 9071.
  10. ^ "No. 30116". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 June 1917. p. 5592.
  11. ^ "No. 30156". The London Gazette. 29 June 1917. p. 6413.
  12. ^ "No. 33376". The London Gazette. 17 April 1928. p. 2741.
  13. ^ "No. 33430". The London Gazette. 16 October 1928. p. 6633.
  14. ^ "No. 33501". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1929. p. 3667.
  15. ^ "No. 33905". The London Gazette. 24 January 1933. p. 524.
  16. ^ "No. 34166". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 May 1935. p. 3594.
  17. ^ "No. 34316". The London Gazette. 21 August 1936. p. 5476.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g Heathcote, p. 86
  19. ^ "No. 34849". The London Gazette. 14 May 1940. p. 2892.
  20. ^ "No. 34893". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 July 1940. p. 4243.
  21. ^ "No. 39575". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 1952. p. 3365.
  22. ^ "No. 40020". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 November 1953. p. 6268.
  23. ^ Elaine Padmore (19 November 2014). "Elizabeth Forbes: Musicologist and critic who translated librettos and wrote nearly 100 obituaries for 'The Independent'". The Independent.
  24. ^ Dury, N. D., ed. (1995). History of Forbes & Walker, Ltd (1881-1954). Colombo: Whittall Company Ltd. p. 2.

Sources[edit]

  • Heathcote, Tony (2002). The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734 – 1995. Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN 0-85052-835-6.

External links[edit]

Military offices
Preceded by Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy
1932–1934 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet
1939–1940 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
1941–1943 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Charles_Forbes_(Royal_Navy_officer)&oldid=1221288876"