Thomas Dawson Lees Sheppard

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Admiral SIR Thomas Dawson Lees Sheppard, K.B.E., C.B., M.V.O., Royal Navy, Retired (7 April, 1866 – 24 February, 1953) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Thomas Dawson Lees Sheppard was born in Cheltenham on 7 April, 1866, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel T. D. Sheppard of The King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment.

At the examination for naval cadetships, Sheppard placed sixth out of thirty-seven successful applicants.[1]

Sheppard was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1889.[2]

Sheppard was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 January, 1900.[3]

Sheppard was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1904.[4]

Captain

Sheppard was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1904.[5]

On the occasion of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to India, on 15 May, 1906, Sheppard was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.), dated 11 March.[6]

He was appointed Commodore, Second Class Commanding the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth on 21 April, 1914.[7]

Great War

On 18 December, 1914, Sheppard took command of H.M.S. Neptune in the Grand Fleet.[8] He was superseded in command of Neptune on 11 February, 1916,[9] and was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 15 February, vice Purefoy.[10] He was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the Ninth Cruiser Squadron on 8 December, 1916. He retained the command until 3 January, 1919.[11] He was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1918.[12]

Post-War

On 19 February, 1920, he was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral, vice Henniker-Hughan.[13]

Sheppard was placed on the Retired List on 1 May, 1922 at his own request.[14] On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed a Knight Commander in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) on 3 June.[15]

He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 8 May, 1925.[16]

Footnotes

  1. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 25 June, 1879. Issue 29603, col E, pg. 7.
  2. London Gazette: no. 25969. p. 4738. 30 August, 1889.
  3. London Gazette: no. 27150. p. 3. 2 January, 1900.
  4. London Gazette: no. 27691. p. 4182. 1 July, 1904.
  5. London Gazette: no. 27691. p. 4182. 1 July, 1904.
  6. London Gazette: no. 27913. p. 3325. 15 May, 1906.
  7. Navy List (December, 1914). p. 394.
  8. Sheppard Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 393.
  9. ADM 196/42. f. 393.
  10. London Gazette: no. 29478. p. 1805. 18 February, 1916.
  11. "Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918, and Which Have Now Ceased to Exist." The National Archives. ADM 6/461. p. 20.
  12. London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30451. p. 79. 1 January, 1918.
  13. London Gazette: no. 31802. p. 2463. 2 March, 1920.
  14. London Gazette: no. 32695. p. 3625. 9 May, 1922.
  15. London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 32716. p. 4324. 3 June, 1922.
  16. London Gazette: no. 33049. p. 3445. 22 May, 1925.

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir Dawson Sheppard" (Obituaries). The Times. Friday, 27 February, 1953. Issue 52557, col D, pg. 10.

Service Records


Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Sydney R. Fremantle
Rear-Admiral Commanding,
Ninth Cruiser Squadron

1916 – 1919
Succeeded by
Command Abolished