Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, First Baron Chatfield

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Admiral of the Fleet THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, First Baron Chatfield, P.C., G.C.B., O.M. (27 September, 1873 – 15 November, 1967) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War. He acted as Flag Captain to David Beatty, First Earl Beatty for six years before service at the Admiralty and fleet command. He served as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 1933 to 1938 and started the critical buildup of the Navy as the military and naval threat from Germany emerged.

Early Life & Career

Chatfield was confirmed in the rank Sub-Lieutenant dated 27 September, 1892, and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant dated 27 March, 1894.[1]

He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1909.[2] On 8 February, 1910, he was appointed in command of H.M.S. London.[3]

Great War

In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1916, Chatfield was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.).[4]

On 15 September he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (C.M.G.) for his services at Jutland, dated 31 May.[5]

Post-War

On 26 January, 1920 he was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V.[6]

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 March, 1926.[7] On 31 July he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral, vice Goodenough.[8]

He was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 1 April, 1930, vice Watson.[9]

On 8 May, 1935, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet, vice Keyes.[10]

Footnotes

  1. London Gazette: no. 26508. p. 2510. 1 May, 1894.
  2. London Gazette: no. 28263. p. 4857. 25 June, 1909.
  3. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 31 January, 1910. Issue 39183, col B, pg. 17.
  4. London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29608. p. 5553. 2 June, 1916.
  5. London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29751. p. 9071. 15 September, 1916.
  6. London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31791. p. 2189. 24 February, 1920.
  7. London Gazette: no. 33139. p. 1650. 5 March, 1926.
  8. London Gazette: no. 32017. p. 8408. 13 August, 1920.
  9. London Gazette: no. 33596. p. 2327. 11 April, 1930.
  10. London Gazette: no. 34159. p. 3048. 10 May, 1935.

Bibliography

  • Beatty, Admiral of the Fleet David, First Earl Beatty (1993). Ranft, Bryan McL.. ed. The Beatty Papers. Volume II. London: Navy Records Society. ISBN 0859678067.
  • Chatfield, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield (1942). The Navy and Defence: The Autobiography of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield. London: William Heinemann Ltd.
  • Chatfield, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield (1947). It Might Happen Again. London: William Heinemann Ltd.


Naval Offices
Preceded by
Arthur A. M. Duff
Commanding Officer of
H.M.S. Lion

1913 – 1916
Succeeded by
Roger R. C. Backhouse
Preceded by
Frederic C. Dreyer
Commanding Officer of
H.M.S. Iron Duke

1916 – 1917
Succeeded by
Eustace La T. Leatham
Preceded by
Sir Frederick L. Field
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff
1933 – 1938
Succeeded by
Sir Roger R. C. Backhouse