William George Tennant

Admiral SIR William George Tennant, K.C.B., C.B.E., M.V.O., R.N. (2 January, 1890 – 26 July, 1963) served in the Royal Navy. He was notable for managing the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940 and for commanding H.M.S. Repulse when she was sunk by Japanese air attack.

Life & Career

The son of a Major.

Tennant was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1912.

Tennant was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1920.

Tennant was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1925.

Tennant was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1932.

World War II

Tennant was the Senior Naval Officer, Dunkerque during the desperate and successful evacuation of the Expeditionary Force in May 1940.

Tennant was appointed in command of the battlecruiser Repulse in June, 1940. He battled Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in her, and participated in the pursuit of the Bismarck. He survive her loss

Tennant was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 6 February, 1942.

Tennant was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 27 July, 1945.

Tennant was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 22 October, 1948. He was placed on the Retired List on 3 August, 1949.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia
• Papers in the Possession of the National Maritime Museum (Catalogue Reference "TEN")

Naval Appointments
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Arethusa 7 Jan, 1935 – early 1937	Succeeded by Philip L. Vian
Preceded by Ernest J. Spooner	Captain of H.M.S. Repulse 18 Jun, 1940 – 8 Dec, 1941	Succeeded by Vessel Lost
Preceded by Arthur J. L. Murray	Rear-Admiral Commanding, Fourth Cruiser Squadron ? – 8 Nov, 1943	Succeeded by Arthur D. Read