Andrew Kennedy Bickford

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Andrew Kennedy Bickford, C.M.G., seen as a Vice-Admiral in Full Dress.

Admiral Andrew Kennedy Bickford, C.M.G., Royal Navy (16 July, 1844 – 9 October, 1927) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Commander with seniority of 31 December, 1878.[1]

Captain

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1884.[2] On 13 April, 1885, he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) in connection with his services in regard to the crew of the Nisero.[3]

After the customary lengthy period on half pay, on 15 June, 1887, he was appointed in command of the troop ship Assistance. He was superseded in command on 21 June, 1890. On 22 July he was appointed in command of Medusa for the Annual Manoeuvres of 1890.[4]

He was appointed in command of the third class protected cruiser Katoomba on 24 March, 1891, for service on the Australian Station. Katoomba paid off on 20 April, 1894. On 18 July he took command of Gibraltar for the manœuvres.[5]

In July 1893, Bickford was involved in the surrender of the rebel chief Matuaga[?]. From September to Noveimber 1893, he dealt with disturbances at Samoa in a manner that pleased the Admiralty.[6]

Bickford was appointed in command of the battleship Resolution in the Channel Squadron on 1 February, 1895.[7]

On 13 August 1896, Bickford was faulted "unskilful handling" after Resolution fouled Repulse.[8]

Bickford was appointed to Inflexible on 17 December, 1896, for command of the Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth, taking her to sea for the annual manœuvres from 15 June to 4 July, 1897. He transferred to Trafalgar for command of the Fleet Reserve on 13 October, 1897.[9]

On 11 January, 1898, he was appointed to Wildfire as Captain Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard.[10]

Flag Rank

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral dated 22 June, 1899, vice Palliser.[11] On 29 June he relinquished command at Sheerness, and went on half pay. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the Pacific Station on 15 October, 1900, and assumed command on 13 December. He was relieved in command on 21 December, 1903, and returned to England on 7 January, 1904.[12]

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 10 February, 1904, vice Rose.[13]

Bickford was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 22 March, 1908, vice Bosanquet,[14] and was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 12 May.[15]

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Admiral A. K. Bickford" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 11 October, 1927. Issue 44709, col C, p. 9.
  • Bickford, Richard E. (1996). Light Airs and Gentle Breezes: A Victorian Naval Life Story. Dumfries: Tartan Edge. ISBN 0952175010.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Edward F. Day
Captain of H.M.S. Pegasus
6 Dec, 1882[16]
Succeeded by
Harry T. Grenfell
Preceded by
Edward H. M. Davis
Captain of H.M.S. Medusa
22 Jul, 1890[17] – 4 Sep, 1890[18]
Succeeded by
Richard N. Gresley
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Katoomba
24 Mar, 1891[19] – 20 Apr, 1894[20]
Succeeded by
Julian A. Baker
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Gibraltar
18 Jul, 1894[21]
Succeeded by
Angus MacLeod
Preceded by
William H. Hall
Captain of H.M.S. Resolution
1 Feb, 1895[22] – 17 Dec, 1896[23]
Succeeded by
John H. Bainbridge
Preceded by
Thomas S. Jackson
Captain of H.M.S. Inflexible
17 Dec, 1896[24] – 13 Oct, 1897[25]
Succeeded by
John F. Stuart
Preceded by
Edward H. M. Davis
Captain of H.M.S. Trafalgar
13 Oct, 1897[26]
Succeeded by
George A. Giffard
Preceded by
John C. Burnell
Captain Superintendent, Sheerness Dockyard
11 Jan, 1898[27] – 29 Jun, 1899[28]
Succeeded by
Reginald F. H. Henderson
Preceded by
Lewis A. Beaumont
Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Station
15 Oct, 1900[29] – 21 Dec, 1903[30]
Succeeded by
James E. C. Goodrich

Footnotes

  1. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 106.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 25429. p. 26. 2 January, 1885.
  3. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  4. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  5. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  6. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  7. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  8. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  9. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  10. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  11. The London Gazette: no. 27093. p. 4008. 27 June, 1899.
  12. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  13. The London Gazette: no. 27645. p. 941. 12 February, 1904.
  14. The London Gazette: no. 28122. p. 2260. 24 March, 1908.
  15. The London Gazette: no. 28138. p. 3669. 19 May, 1908.
  16. The Navy List. (March, 1883). p. 229.
  17. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  18. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  19. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  20. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  21. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  22. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Wednesday, 30 January, 1895. Issue 34487, col B, p. 10.
  23. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36/242. f. 100.
  24. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  25. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  26. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  27. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  28. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  29. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.
  30. Bickford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/36. f. 100.