Alexander Riall Wadham Woods

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Vice-Admiral REV. Alexander Riall Wadham Woods, D.S.O.*, R.N., Retired (19 October, 1880 – 1 November, 1954) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Woods was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1902.[1]

On the occasion of the resignation of Admiral Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman as First Sea Lord, Woods was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 9 December, 1912.[2] Bridgeman had written to the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston S. Churchill, on 8 December:

I should be obliged if my resignation should be associated with his promotion at this time; he is regarded as the most able and experienced Signal Lieutenant in the Navy; he served with me in several commands, and I cannot say too much in his favour.[3]

Woods served as Flag Commander on Iron Duke at the Battle of Jutland.[4]

On 15 September he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) for his services at Jutland.[5]

He was appointed as captain of the third class protected cruiser Topaze on 22 August, 1916, remaining with her through the end of the war.[6]

Woods was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1919.[7]

In September 1924, he was appointed in command of the light cruiser Concord.[8]

Woods was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 3 April, 1931 and placed on the Retired List the following day.[9]

Woods was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 January, 1936.[10]

Bibliography

  • "Rev A. R. W. Woods" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 2 November, 1954. Issue 53078, col F, p. 6.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Richard H. D. Townsend
In Charge, Chatham Signal School
25 Mar, 1909[11]
Succeeded by
John H. Smith-Wright
Preceded by
Francis C. Brown
Captain of H.M.S. Topaze
22 Aug, 1916[12][13] – 25 Apr, 1919[14]
Succeeded by
Cuthbert D. Longstaff
Preceded by
Gilbert G. P. Hewett
Captain of H.M.S. Greenwich
17 Aug, 1922[15][16] – 22 Aug, 1924[17]
Succeeded by
Arthur M. Lecky
Preceded by
Henry G. Thursfield
Captain of H.M.S. Concord
30 Sep, 1924[18] – Jul, 1925[19]
Succeeded by
Charles E. Kennedy-Purvis
Preceded by
Charles E. Kennedy-Purvis
Captain of H.M.S. Diomede
Jul, 1925[20] – 1 Oct, 1925[21]
Succeeded by
James S. Macl. Ritchie
Preceded by
Alfred H. Norman
Captain of Portsmouth Dockyard
16 Dec, 1926 – 3 Dec, 1928[22]
Succeeded by
Reginald St. P. Parry

Footnotes

  1. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 28673. p. 9696. 20 December, 1912.
  3. Bridgeman to Churchill. Letter of 8 December, 1912. Copies of Churchill-Bridgeman correspondence. p. 5. The National Archives. CAB 37/113. No. 135.
  4. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  5. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29751. p. 9071. 15 September, 1916.
  6. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  7. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  8. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  9. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  10. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  11. The Navy List. (July, 1909). p. 354.
  12. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  13. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 921.
  14. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  15. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  16. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 242.
  17. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  18. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  19. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  20. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  21. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.
  22. Woods Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/204. f. 208.