Difference between revisions of "George Le Clerc Egerton"

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==Life & Career==
 
==Life & Career==
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On 19 February, 1913 Egerton's eyes were tested by Arnold & Sons Opticians of Southsea for reading glasses. In his right eye the measurements were Sph. +2.25 D, Cyl. +.75 D, and in the left Sph. +2.25 D, Cyl. +.75 D.<ref name=Liddle>RNMN/Egerton.  Liddle Collection. University of Leeds.</ref>
+
In 1872, Egerton was awarded the [[Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal]].{{NLOct78|p. 576}}
  
−
Egerton had scheduled a game of golf with Midshipman Prince Albert on 14 March, 1914, but the night before the prince fell out of his hammock and injured his eye on his sea chest and was put on the sick list.<ref name=Liddle/>
+
Egerton was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 15 October, 1875.{{Gaz|24256|4905|19 October, 1875}}  He was to see service in H.M.S. ''Alert'' on {{CaptRN}} [[George Strong Nare|Nare's]] arduous arctic expedition in 1875-6.<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|196/86.}} f. 122.</ref>
  
−
Admiral Egerton was placed on the Retired List on 9 June, 1916.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29621/supplements/5828 (Supplement) no. 29621.  p. 5828.]  13 June, 1916.</ref>
+
Appointment to the {{UK-Vernon|f=tp}} came on 28 September, 1877.{{NLJul78|p. 249}}
  
−
==Footnotes==
+
In 1882, he married Frances Emily Gladstone (c. 1888 &ndash; 5 January 1926) and they would have three children, [[William Markham Le Clerc Egerton]] (28 October 1883 &ndash; 29 May 1969), [[Brian Egerton]] (14 March 1886 &ndash; 1973), and Dorothy Egerton (18 July 1887 &ndash; ?).<ref>The Peerage. [http://www.thepeerage.com/p42776.htm Admiral Sir George le Clerc Egerton].</ref>  All three children were born in Gosport, Hampshire and all three would have naval connections - the two sons would join the Navy as officers and Egerton's only daughter Dorothy would marry [[Philip Wylie Dumas]] on 24 January 1911.<ref>The Peerage. [http://www.thepeerage.com/p42776.htm#i427759 Dorothy Egerton].</ref> 
−
{{reflist}}
+
 
 +
Egerton was appointed in command of the {{UK-1TB25|f=t}} on 17 June, 1886.{{NLJul86|p. 245}}
 +
 
 +
Egerton was still attached to {{UK-Vernon}} at the time of the birth of his second son, Brian, in 1886.<ref>Royal Navy. ''The Times'' (London, England), Saturday, Nov 28, 1931; pg. 7; Issue 45992.</ref>  On 1 January 1887, Egerton was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}}.{{Gaz|25660|6612|31 December, 1886}}  On 21 July 1890, Egerton was appointed Commander of ''Vernon'', under Captain [[Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|Arthur K. Wilson]].{{NLMar91|p. 262}}
 +
 
 +
==Captain==
 +
Egerton was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 1 January, 1893.{{Gaz|26359|2|2 January, 1893}}
 +
 
 +
In may 1895, he assumed command of the {{UK-StGeorge|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}
 +
 
 +
In recognition of his services in Benin he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 25 May, 1897.{{Gaz|26856|2928|25 May, 1897}}  Also in May, he assumed command of the {{UK-Doris|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}
 +
 
 +
Egerton was appointed Captain of ''Vernon'' on 10 February, 1902.<ref>Blond. ''Technology and Tradition''. p. 167.</ref>
 +
 
 +
He was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King Edward VII dated 8 December, 1903.{{Gaz|27632|25|1 January, 1904}}
 +
 
 +
He was appointed in command of {{UK-1Duncan}} in September, 1904.{{MackieRNW}}
 +
 
 +
==Flag Rank==
 +
Egerton was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 2 March, 1905, vice [[Wilmot Hawkesworth Fawkes|Fawkes]].{{Gaz|27772|1845|7 March, 1905}}
 +
 
 +
He was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 2 January, 1909, vice [[Assheton Gore Curzon-Howe|Curzon-Howe]].{{Gaz|28212|131|5 January, 1909}}
 +
 
 +
Egerton was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 24 June, 1910.{{GazSup|28388|4475|24 June, 1910}}
 +
 
 +
==Second Sea Lord==
 +
On 25 March, 1911 Egerton was appointed [[Second Sea Lord]].  He was superseded on 5 December.<ref>Egerton Service Record.  ADM 196/38.  p. 395.</ref>  Admiral [[George Fowler King-Hall|Sir George F. King-Hall]], then Commander-in-Chief on the Australia Station, later committed to his diary an account of Egerton's dismissal:
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>[[Francis Alban Arthur Giffard Tate|Tate]] came and had an hour’s yarn with me, he says W. Churchill is impossible, and told me the story of how he got rid of Sir Arthur Wilson and Egerton.  The latter was at dinner, having just taken an expensive house in London, when he received a letter from 1 Lord saying "he was re-organising the Ad. and that he had not included him in it."  Egerton boiled over with rage, at this summary dismissal, and next morning went to see the 1 Sea Lord, Sir A Wilson, who said that he had been treated the same way; less warning than a footman gets, he observed.<ref>Diary entry for 28 December, 1912.</ref></blockquote>
 +
 
 +
This is supported by Captain (later Admiral Sir) [[Dudley Rawson Stratford de Chair|Dudley R. S. de Chair]]'s diary entry for 29 November, 1911, which reads, "Admiral Wilson said he was dismissed like a butler.  Adml. Egerton will feel it very hard."<ref>Diary entry for 29 November, 1911.  De Chair Papers.  Imperial War Museum.  PP/MCR/C4.  Reel 1.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==Half Pay and the Plymouth Command==
 +
In Admiral Egerton's desk diary for 1912 are some interesting lines of verse, dated 14 February, 1912.  The first verse is reproduced:
 +
 
 +
:Should a charming Miss Naylor
 +
 
 +
:Remember a sailor
 +
 
 +
:Whom she met one Friday to Monday
 +
 
 +
:Would she deem it assumption
 +
 
 +
:If he had the presumption
 +
 
 +
:In this way to gently remind her.
 +
 
 +
::I wonder.
 +
 
 +
In February Egerton travelled to London to sit on the Interview Committee.  Also sitting on the committee were Captain Ellerton, Mr. R. Carter (Headmaster of Bedford Grammar School), Mr. E. Hussey Packe and Mr. Steel of the Admiralty.<ref>Diary entries for 5 February to 7 February, 1912.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/1.</ref>
 +
 
 +
On Friday, 8 March Egerton had an audience with the King:
 +
 
 +
:[H]e spoke most sympathetically about my removal from the Admiralty … he was going to suggest to the First Lord that Poë should be offered Portsmouth when Moore retires & that I should go to the Mediterranean.  I thanked his Majesty for this mark of his approval.<ref>Diary entry for 8 March, 1912.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/1.</ref>
 +
 
 +
His entry for 27 March is quite illuminating:
 +
 
 +
:Interview with Sir F. Bridgeman [First Sea Lord] who told me in a confidential way that both Mediterranean & Portsmouth had been offered to and accepted by others, that the First Lord would tell me this when I saw him at an interview which Bridgeman had kindly arranged &mdash; At the interview with the First Lord he told me that Meux and Milne had to be provided for that he would have been quite willing to have entrusted me with the Mediterranean but that Milne as a bachelor did not want Devonport and was anxious for the Mediterranean and that he should hold to what he had on [?] finally intended that I should have Devonport when vacant.<ref>Diary entry for 27 March, 1912.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/1.</ref>
 +
 
 +
Writing to the King on 28 March, Churchill noted that Egerton, "is now quite reconciled to waiting for Devonport."<ref>''Winston S. Churchill''.  '''Companion Volume II Part 3'''.  p. 1536.</ref>
 +
 
 +
With the promotion of Admiral [[William Henry May|Sir William H. May]] to {{FleetRN}}, Egerton was appointed to succeed him as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth, on 20 March, 1913.<ref>"New Admiral of the Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 4 February, 1913.  Issue '''40126''', col B, p. 6.</ref>
 +
 
 +
On 14 February, 1913, Egerton attended the Memorial Service at St. Paul's Cathedral "for those perished in the Antarctic Expedition early in 1912."<ref>"The Polar Disaster" (News).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 15 February, 1913.  Issue '''40136''', col A, p. 8.  A copy of the service lies in the Egerton Papers at the University of Leeds.</ref>  On 6 March he had an audience with the King, "He seems much disturbed at our not having yet made a start with Airships, and at Germany raising 50 millions of money for her army."<ref>Diary entry for 6 March, 1913.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/2.</ref>
 +
 
 +
On 19 February Egerton's eyes were tested by Arnold & Sons Opticians of Southsea for reading glasses. In his right eye the measurements were Sph. +2.25 D, Cyl. +.75 D, and in the left Sph. +2.25 D, Cyl. +.75 D.<ref>Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/4.</ref>  On 21 March he was confirmed in the rank of {{AdmRN}}, vice [[Percy Moreton Scott, First Baronet|Scott]].{{Gaz|28704|2235|25 March, 1913}}
 +
 
 +
On 15 July, 1913 [[Clements Robert Markham|Clements Markham]] invited him to stay at his Eccleston Square address if he was "coming up to the great show of the order of the Bath" so that they could go together.<ref>Letter of 13 July, 1913.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/2.</ref>  He went up on the 21st and stayed with the Markhams.  Lady Scott, Captain Scott's widow, was also a guest.<ref>Diary entry for 21 July, 1913.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/2.</ref>
 +
 
 +
Egerton had scheduled a game of golf with Midshipman Prince Albert on 14 March, 1914, but the night before the prince fell out of his hammock and injured his eye on his sea chest and was put on the sick list.<ref>Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/3.</ref>
 +
 
 +
Admiral Egerton was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 9 June, 1916, in accordance with the provisions of the [[Order in Council of 8 December, 1903]].{{GazSup|29621|5828|13 June, 1916}}
 +
 
 +
==See Also==
 +
{{refbegin}}
 +
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Egerton_(Royal_Navy_officer)}}
 +
{{refend}}
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
−
*"Admiral Sir George Egerton" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 2 April, 1940.  Issue '''48579''', col C, pg. 10.
+
*"Admiral Sir George Egerton" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 2 April, 1940.  Issue '''48579''', col C, p. 10.
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
Line 19: Line 95:
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
 
*Papers in the possession of the Liddle Collection, University of Leeds.
 
*Papers in the possession of the Liddle Collection, University of Leeds.
 +
*[http://archiveshub.ac.uk/ead-html/gb15georgeegerton-p1.shtml#id476378 Journals and letters in the possession of the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge.]
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
==Service Records==
 
==Service Records==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
−
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7916565&queryType=1&resultcount=3 ADM 196/38.]
+
*{{TNA|ADM 196/86.|D8115198}}
−
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7905298&queryType=1&resultcount=3 ADM 196/19.]
+
*{{TNA|ADM 196/38.|D7601083}}
 +
*{{TNA|ADM 196/19.|D7589825}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 +
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 +
{{TabNaval}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Morgan Singer Sr.|Morgan Singer, Sr.]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Vesuvius (1874)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Vesuvius'']]'''<br>11 Jan, 1884{{NLSep85|p. 245}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Henry B. Jackson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Hercules Robertson|John H. Robertson]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 25 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 25]]'''<br>17 Jun, 1886{{NLJul86|p. 245}}<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; 28 Aug, 1886<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cecil Foley Lambert|Cecil F. Lambert]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 81 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 81]]'''<br>28 Apr, 1887<ref>Egerton Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/19/9}}</ref> &ndash; 14 May, 1887<ref>Egerton Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/19/9}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Aubrey William Howe|Aubrey W. Howe]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Lambton Loraine|Sir Lambton Loraine, Bart.]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Gorgon (1871)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Gorgon'']]'''<br>5 Jul, 1887{{NMI|1 July, 1887, p. 13}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe|Arthur D. Fanshawe]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Harpur Gamble|Edward H. Gamble]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. St. George (1892)|Captain of H.M.S. ''St. George'']]'''<br>11 May, 1895<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; 28 Dec, 1897<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/19.}}  f. 16.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Harry Lucius Fanshawe Royle|Henry L. F. Royle]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Harry Lucius Fanshawe Royle|Henry L. F. Royle]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Doris (1896)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Doris'']]'''<br>29 Dec, 1897<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/19.}}  f. 16.</ref> &ndash; 9 Jun, 1898<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/19.}}  f. 16.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Charles Prothero|Reginald C. Prothero]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ernest Alfred Simons|Ernest A. Simons]]'''|'''[[Naval Ordnance Department (Royal Navy)|Assistant Director of Torpedoes]]'''<br>4 Aug, 1898<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; Aug, 1899<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Alexander William Chisholm-Batten|Alexander W. Chisholm-Batten]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Louis Alexander Mountbatten, First Marquess of Milford Haven|H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Majestic (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Majestic'']]'''<br>28 Jun, 1899<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; 17 Apr, 1901<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Eden Bradford|Edward E. Bradford]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alexander William Chisholm-Batten|Alexander W. Chisholm-Batten]]'''|'''[[Naval Ordnance Department (Royal Navy)|Assistant Director of Torpedoes]]'''<br>24 Jun, 1901<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; 10 Feb, 1902<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Henry B. Jackson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Grey Robinson|Charles G. Robinson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Vernon (Torpedo Training School)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Vernon'']]'''<br>10 Feb, 1902<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; 15 Sep, 1904<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Henry B. Jackson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Henry B. Jackson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Duncan (1901)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Duncan'']]'''<br>15 Sep, 1904<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; 7 Mar, 1905<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Casement|John Casement]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Archibald Berkeley Milne, Second Baronet|Sir A. Berkeley Milne, Bart.]]'''|'''[[Atlantic Fleet (Royal Navy)|Second-in-Command, Atlantic Fleet]]'''<br>25 Aug, 1906<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref> &ndash; 28 Aug, 1907<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Rushworth Jellicoe, First Earl Jellicoe|Sir John R. Jellicoe]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edmund Samuel Poë|Sir Edmund S. Poë]]'''|'''[[Cape of Good Hope Station|Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station and West Africa Station]]'''<br>20 Aug, 1908<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 396.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Paul Warner Bush|Paul W. Bush]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman|Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman]]'''|'''[[Second Sea Lord|Second Sea Lord]]'''<br>25 Mar, 1911{{UKNavalStaff|p. 119}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Louis Alexander Mountbatten, First Marquess of Milford Haven|H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Henry May|Sir William H. May]]'''|'''[[Plymouth Station|Commander in Chief, Plymouth Station]]'''<br>20 Mar, 1913<ref>"New Admiral of the Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 4 February, 1913.  Issue '''35835''', col D, p. 4.</ref><ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/86.}}  f. 243.</ref> &ndash; 5 Dec, 1916<ref>Egerton Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/86.}}  f. 243.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George John Scott Warrender, Seventh Baronet|Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart.]]'''}}
 +
{{TabEnd}}
 +
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 +
 +
==Footnotes==
 +
{{reflist}}
 +
 +
{{DEFAULTSORT:Egerton, George}}
  
−
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="center"
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{{CatPerson|UK|1852|1940}}
−
|-
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{{CatBritannia|January, 1867}}
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| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:#CEDFF2" | '''Board of Admiralty'''
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{{CatTorpedoOfficer|UK}}
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|-
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{{CatAdm|UK}}
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| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman|Sir Francis Bridgeman]]'''
 
−
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Second Sea Lord]]'''<br>1911 &ndash; 1911
 
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| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Prince Louis of Battenberg]]'''
 
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|-
 
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|}
 
  
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[[Category:1852 births|Egerton]]
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[[Category:Royal Navy Officers Educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy]]
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[[Category:1940 deaths|Egerton]]
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[[Category:Naval Aides-de-Camp to King Edward VII]]
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[[Category:Personalities|Egerton]]
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{{CatRN}}
−
[[Category:Second Sea Lords|Egerton]]
 
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[[Category:Commanders-in-Chief, Plymouth|Egerton]]
 
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[[Category:Royal Navy Admirals|Egerton]]
 
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[[Category:Royal Navy Flag Officers|Egerton]]
 

Latest revision as of 22:50, 6 April 2022

Admiral SIR George Le Clerc Egerton, K.C.B., Royal Navy (17 October, 1852 – 30 March, 1940) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

In 1872, Egerton was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal.[1]

Egerton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 October, 1875.[2] He was to see service in H.M.S. Alert on Captain Nare's arduous arctic expedition in 1875-6.[3]

Appointment to the torpedo training school H.M.S. Vernon came on 28 September, 1877.[4]

In 1882, he married Frances Emily Gladstone (c. 1888 – 5 January 1926) and they would have three children, William Markham Le Clerc Egerton (28 October 1883 – 29 May 1969), Brian Egerton (14 March 1886 – 1973), and Dorothy Egerton (18 July 1887 – ?).[5] All three children were born in Gosport, Hampshire and all three would have naval connections - the two sons would join the Navy as officers and Egerton's only daughter Dorothy would marry Philip Wylie Dumas on 24 January 1911.[6]

Egerton was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 25 on 17 June, 1886.[7]

Egerton was still attached to Vernon at the time of the birth of his second son, Brian, in 1886.[8] On 1 January 1887, Egerton was promoted to the rank of Commander.[9] On 21 July 1890, Egerton was appointed Commander of Vernon, under Captain Arthur K. Wilson.[10]

Captain

Egerton was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1893.[11]

In may 1895, he assumed command of the first class protected cruiser St. George.[12]

In recognition of his services in Benin he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 25 May, 1897.[13] Also in May, he assumed command of the second class protected cruiser Doris.[14]

Egerton was appointed Captain of Vernon on 10 February, 1902.[15]

He was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King Edward VII dated 8 December, 1903.[16]

He was appointed in command of Duncan in September, 1904.[17]

Flag Rank

Egerton was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 2 March, 1905, vice Fawkes.[18]

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 2 January, 1909, vice Curzon-Howe.[19]

Egerton was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 24 June, 1910.[20]

Second Sea Lord

On 25 March, 1911 Egerton was appointed Second Sea Lord. He was superseded on 5 December.[21] Admiral Sir George F. King-Hall, then Commander-in-Chief on the Australia Station, later committed to his diary an account of Egerton's dismissal:

Tate came and had an hour’s yarn with me, he says W. Churchill is impossible, and told me the story of how he got rid of Sir Arthur Wilson and Egerton. The latter was at dinner, having just taken an expensive house in London, when he received a letter from 1 Lord saying "he was re-organising the Ad. and that he had not included him in it." Egerton boiled over with rage, at this summary dismissal, and next morning went to see the 1 Sea Lord, Sir A Wilson, who said that he had been treated the same way; less warning than a footman gets, he observed.[22]

This is supported by Captain (later Admiral Sir) Dudley R. S. de Chair's diary entry for 29 November, 1911, which reads, "Admiral Wilson said he was dismissed like a butler. Adml. Egerton will feel it very hard."[23]

Half Pay and the Plymouth Command

In Admiral Egerton's desk diary for 1912 are some interesting lines of verse, dated 14 February, 1912. The first verse is reproduced:

Should a charming Miss Naylor
Remember a sailor
Whom she met one Friday to Monday
Would she deem it assumption
If he had the presumption
In this way to gently remind her.
I wonder.

In February Egerton travelled to London to sit on the Interview Committee. Also sitting on the committee were Captain Ellerton, Mr. R. Carter (Headmaster of Bedford Grammar School), Mr. E. Hussey Packe and Mr. Steel of the Admiralty.[24]

On Friday, 8 March Egerton had an audience with the King:

[H]e spoke most sympathetically about my removal from the Admiralty … he was going to suggest to the First Lord that Poë should be offered Portsmouth when Moore retires & that I should go to the Mediterranean. I thanked his Majesty for this mark of his approval.[25]

His entry for 27 March is quite illuminating:

Interview with Sir F. Bridgeman [First Sea Lord] who told me in a confidential way that both Mediterranean & Portsmouth had been offered to and accepted by others, that the First Lord would tell me this when I saw him at an interview which Bridgeman had kindly arranged — At the interview with the First Lord he told me that Meux and Milne had to be provided for that he would have been quite willing to have entrusted me with the Mediterranean but that Milne as a bachelor did not want Devonport and was anxious for the Mediterranean and that he should hold to what he had on [?] finally intended that I should have Devonport when vacant.[26]

Writing to the King on 28 March, Churchill noted that Egerton, "is now quite reconciled to waiting for Devonport."[27]

With the promotion of Admiral Sir William H. May to Admiral of the Fleet, Egerton was appointed to succeed him as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth, on 20 March, 1913.[28]

On 14 February, 1913, Egerton attended the Memorial Service at St. Paul's Cathedral "for those perished in the Antarctic Expedition early in 1912."[29] On 6 March he had an audience with the King, "He seems much disturbed at our not having yet made a start with Airships, and at Germany raising 50 millions of money for her army."[30]

On 19 February Egerton's eyes were tested by Arnold & Sons Opticians of Southsea for reading glasses. In his right eye the measurements were Sph. +2.25 D, Cyl. +.75 D, and in the left Sph. +2.25 D, Cyl. +.75 D.[31] On 21 March he was confirmed in the rank of Admiral, vice Scott.[32]

On 15 July, 1913 Clements Markham invited him to stay at his Eccleston Square address if he was "coming up to the great show of the order of the Bath" so that they could go together.[33] He went up on the 21st and stayed with the Markhams. Lady Scott, Captain Scott's widow, was also a guest.[34]

Egerton had scheduled a game of golf with Midshipman Prince Albert on 14 March, 1914, but the night before the prince fell out of his hammock and injured his eye on his sea chest and was put on the sick list.[35]

Admiral Egerton was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 9 June, 1916, in accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903.[36]

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir George Egerton" (Obituaries). The Times. Tuesday, 2 April, 1940. Issue 48579, col C, p. 10.

Papers

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Morgan Singer, Sr. 		Captain of H.M.S. Vesuvius
11 Jan, 1884[37] 		Succeeded by
Henry B. Jackson
Preceded by
John H. Robertson 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 25
17 Jun, 1886[38][39] – 28 Aug, 1886[40] 		Succeeded by
Cecil F. Lambert
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 81
28 Apr, 1887[41] – 14 May, 1887[42] 		Succeeded by
Aubrey W. Howe
Preceded by
Sir Lambton Loraine, Bart. 		Captain of H.M.S. Gorgon
5 Jul, 1887[43] 		Succeeded by
Arthur D. Fanshawe
Preceded by
Edward H. Gamble 		Captain of H.M.S. St. George
11 May, 1895[44] – 28 Dec, 1897[45] 		Succeeded by
Henry L. F. Royle
Preceded by
Henry L. F. Royle 		Captain of H.M.S. Doris
29 Dec, 1897[46] – 9 Jun, 1898[47] 		Succeeded by
Reginald C. Prothero
Preceded by
Ernest A. Simons 		Assistant Director of Torpedoes
4 Aug, 1898[48] – Aug, 1899[49] 		Succeeded by
Alexander W. Chisholm-Batten
Preceded by
H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg 		Captain of H.M.S. Majestic
28 Jun, 1899[50] – 17 Apr, 1901[51] 		Succeeded by
Edward E. Bradford
Preceded by
Alexander W. Chisholm-Batten 		Assistant Director of Torpedoes
24 Jun, 1901[52] – 10 Feb, 1902[53] 		Succeeded by
Henry B. Jackson
Preceded by
Charles G. Robinson 		Captain of H.M.S. Vernon
10 Feb, 1902[54] – 15 Sep, 1904[55] 		Succeeded by
Henry B. Jackson
Preceded by
Henry B. Jackson 		Captain of H.M.S. Duncan
15 Sep, 1904[56] – 7 Mar, 1905[57] 		Succeeded by
John Casement
Preceded by
Sir A. Berkeley Milne, Bart. 		Second-in-Command, Atlantic Fleet
25 Aug, 1906[58] – 28 Aug, 1907[59] 		Succeeded by
Sir John R. Jellicoe
Preceded by
Sir Edmund S. Poë 		Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station and West Africa Station
20 Aug, 1908[60] 		Succeeded by
Paul W. Bush
Preceded by
Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman 		Second Sea Lord
25 Mar, 1911[61] 		Succeeded by
H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg
Preceded by
Sir William H. May 		Commander in Chief, Plymouth Station
20 Mar, 1913[62][63] – 5 Dec, 1916[64] 		Succeeded by
Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1878). p. 576.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 24256. p. 4905. 19 October, 1875.
  3. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. 196/86. f. 122.
  4. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1878). p. 249.
  5. ↑ The Peerage. Admiral Sir George le Clerc Egerton.
  6. ↑ The Peerage. Dorothy Egerton.
  7. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1886). p. 245.
  8. ↑ Royal Navy. The Times (London, England), Saturday, Nov 28, 1931; pg. 7; Issue 45992.
  9. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25660. p. 6612. 31 December, 1886.
  10. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1891). p. 262.
  11. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26359. p. 2. 2 January, 1893.
  12. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  13. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26856. p. 2928. 25 May, 1897.
  14. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  15. ↑ Blond. Technology and Tradition. p. 167.
  16. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27632. p. 25. 1 January, 1904.
  17. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  18. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27772. p. 1845. 7 March, 1905.
  19. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28212. p. 131. 5 January, 1909.
  20. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28388. p. 4475. 24 June, 1910.
  21. ↑ Egerton Service Record. ADM 196/38. p. 395.
  22. ↑ Diary entry for 28 December, 1912.
  23. ↑ Diary entry for 29 November, 1911. De Chair Papers. Imperial War Museum. PP/MCR/C4. Reel 1.
  24. ↑ Diary entries for 5 February to 7 February, 1912. Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/1.
  25. ↑ Diary entry for 8 March, 1912. Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/1.
  26. ↑ Diary entry for 27 March, 1912. Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/1.
  27. ↑ Winston S. Churchill. Companion Volume II Part 3. p. 1536.
  28. ↑ "New Admiral of the Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 4 February, 1913. Issue 40126, col B, p. 6.
  29. ↑ "The Polar Disaster" (News). The Times. Saturday, 15 February, 1913. Issue 40136, col A, p. 8. A copy of the service lies in the Egerton Papers at the University of Leeds.
  30. ↑ Diary entry for 6 March, 1913. Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/2.
  31. ↑ Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/4.
  32. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28704. p. 2235. 25 March, 1913.
  33. ↑ Letter of 13 July, 1913. Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/2.
  34. ↑ Diary entry for 21 July, 1913. Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/2.
  35. ↑ Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/3.
  36. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29621. p. 5828. 13 June, 1916.
  37. ↑ The Navy List. (September, 1885). p. 245.
  38. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1886). p. 245.
  39. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  40. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  41. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19/9
  42. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19/9
  43. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), 1 July, 1887, p. 13.
  44. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  45. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 16.
  46. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 16.
  47. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/19. f. 16.
  48. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  49. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  50. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  51. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  52. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  53. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  54. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  55. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  56. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  57. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  58. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  59. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  60. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 396.
  61. ↑ The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. p. 119.
  62. ↑ "New Admiral of the Fleet" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 4 February, 1913. Issue 35835, col D, p. 4.
  63. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/86. f. 243.
  64. ↑ Egerton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/86. f. 243.

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