Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
The rank of Admiral of the Fleet was the highest officer rank in the Royal Navy, equivalent to Field Marshal in the British Army. The establishment was generally fixed at three during the Dreadnought period, and tended to be filled by the most senior officers of the rank of Admiral as vacancies occurred. Officers of outstanding merit could be specially promoted Admiral of the Fleet supernumerary to the establishment by Order-in-Council, either on the Active or Retired Lists.
Retirement
The provisions of the Order in Council of 22 February, 1870, set the retirement age of Admirals of the Fleet at seventy years old.[1] In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 16 July, 1914, Admirals of the Fleet promoted to that rank after that date were to be retired five years from the date of such promotion, but not until they had reached the age of sixty-five.[2]
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