Cecil Stanley Sandford

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Rear-Admiral Cecil Stanley Sandford, O.B.E., Royal Navy (12 October, 1888 – 22 October, 1960) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He is notable as being one of the six survivors from the sinking of battlecruiser Invincible at the Battle of Jutland.

Early Life & Career

Cecil Stanley Sandford was born on 12 October, 1888, his father was the Reverend Herbert Sandford of Drogheda, County Louth. He attended the Royal School, Armagh.[1] Sandford took the Competitive Examination for Cadetships in July 1903 and passed.[2] He entered the Royal Navy in September 1903 as a member of the training ship Britannia's September 1903 term.

Sandford was promoted to Midshipman with seniority to 30 January, 1905, and on 15 August, 1905 was appointed to the battleship Dominion.[3]

Sandford was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant with seniority to 15 March, 1908 on 22 December, 1908.[4]

Sandford was appointed to the armoured cruiser Bacchante on 24 July, 1909.[5] While serving in the Bacchante, Sandford was promoted Lieutenant on 8 February, 1910, with seniority to 30 December, 1909.[6] On 5 August of the same year, he was appointed additional to the depôt ship Blenheim for the new destroyer Harpy.[7]

Sandford was appointed to the battlecruiser Invincible on 14 January, 1911, and was reappointed when Invincible recommissioned on May 16.[8]

Sandford was appointed to the torpedo training school Vernon on 7 August, 1912 for qualification for Torpedo Duties.[9] Either upon qualification or shortly thereafter, he was appointed to the pre-dreadnought Duncan as Torpedo Lieutenant on 6 October, 1913.[10]

Sandford returned to the Invincible as Torpedo Lieutenant on 10 July, 1914.[11]

Great War

Sandford remained the Invincible's Torpedo Lieutenant until her loss at the Battle of Jutland. He was stationed in the conning tower at the time of her disaster, escaping through an open hatch.[12] After her sinking, he was rescued with Invincible's five other survivors by the destroyer Badger.

Sandford was appointed to the battleship Warspite as Torpedo Lieutenant on 18 January, 1918.[13]

Sandford was appointed to the light cruiser Birmingham as Torpedo Lieutenant on 5 November, 1920. Birmingham was flagship of C.-in-C. Africa Station, Vice-Admiral Sir William E. Goodenough, so Sandford had the additional assignment of Fleet Torpedo Officer.[14]

Sandford was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1931.[15]

Sandford served as Captain in Charge, Ceylon, from his date of joining, appointed 21 October, 1934. He was superseded on 28 October, 1936.[16]

Sandford was appointed in command of the heavy cruiser Suffolk on 31 December, 1937.[17]

Bibliography

  • "Rear-Adml. C. S. Sandford" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 26 October, 1960. Issue 54912, col D, pg. 15.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
William H. Gell
Captain of H.M.S. Vampire
6 Sep, 1931[18] – Jan, 1932[19]
Succeeded by
John A. Walsh
as Captain of H.M.A.S. Vampire
Preceded by
Donal S. McGrath
Captain of H.M.S. Hastings
Jan, 1932[20]c. 31 Mar, 1934[21]
Succeeded by
Claude P. Hermon-Hodge
Preceded by
?
Captain in Charge, Ceylon
15 Sep, 1934[22] – 28 Oct, 1936
Succeeded by
Walter H. G. Fallowfield
Preceded by
John G. P. Vivian
Captain of H.M.S. Newcastle
12 Jul, 1937[23] – 17 Jul, 1937[24]
Succeeded by
James Figgins
Preceded by
Geoffrey R. B. Back
Captain of H.M.S. Aurora
24 Jul, 1937[25] – 9 Nov, 1937[26]
Succeeded by
Henry D. Pridham-Wippell
Preceded by
Henry D. Pridham-Wippell
Captain of H.M.S. Cairo
9 Nov, 1937[27] – 31 Dec, 1937[28]
Succeeded by
Robert F. Elkins
Preceded by
Henry C. Phillips
Captain of H.M.S. Suffolk
31 Dec, 1937[29] – 27 Jul, 1939[30]
Succeeded by
John W. Durnford
Preceded by
Edye K. Boddam-Whetham
Captain of Chatham Dockyard
31 Jul, 1939[31] – 9 Jul, 1941[32]
Succeeded by
Lawrence F. N. Ommanney
Preceded by
Robert D. Oliver
Captain of H.M.S. Iron Duke
4 Mar, 1942[33] – 24 Mar, 1943[34]
Succeeded by
Percival H. G. James

Footnotes

  1. "Rear-Adml. C. S. Sandford" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 26 October, 1960. Issue 54912, col D, p. 15.
  2. "Naval & Military Intelligence". The Times. Saturday, 15 August, 1903. Issue 37160, col E, p. 4.
  3. The Navy List. (January, 1907). pp. 143, 302.
  4. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28207. p. 9745. 22 December, 1908.
  5. The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 130.
  6. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28337. p. 949. 8 February, 1910.
  7. "Naval and Military Intelligence". The Times. Monday, 8 August, 1910. Issue 39345, col E, p. 7.
  8. "Naval and Military Intelligence". The Times. Monday, 15 May, 1911. Issue 39585, col B, p. 5.
  9. The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 391.
  10. The Navy List. (June, 1914). p. 306.
  11. The Navy List. (July, 1914). p. 338.
  12. Battle of Jutland Crew Lists.
  13. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 941.
  14. The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 733.
  15. The Navy List. (April, 1939). p. 99.
  16. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  17. The Navy List. (July, 1939). p. 334.
  18. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  19. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  20. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  21. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  22. The Navy List. (October, 1935). p. 257.
  23. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  24. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  25. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  26. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  27. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  28. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  29. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  30. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  31. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  32. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  33. Sandford Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/319. f. ?.
  34. James Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/118/130. f. 130.