Arthur Henry Christian

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Admiral Arthur Henry Christian, C.B., M.V.O., Royal Navy (31 August, 1863 – 20 August, 1926) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Christian was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1885.[1]

Christian was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 January, 1896,[2] for services on the West and East Coasts of Africa.[3]

Captain

Christian was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1901.[4]

On 5 June, 1902, Christian was appointed Flag Captain to Rear-Admiral Charles C. Drury in Highflyer.[5]

He commissioned the new armoured cruiser Duke of Edinburgh on 20 January 1906[6] and commanded her for two years.

He was appointed in command of the battleship Temeraire on 25 October, 1910.[7]

Flag Rank

Christian was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 21 August, 1911, vice de Horsey.[8] From 12 February he was on a Signals course,[9] and from 4 March to 21 June, 1912, he attended the Royal Naval War College, and was placed second out of five flag officers in order of merit. He was adjudged to be: "Very zealous, careful, & sound."[10] From 23 September to 11 October he took a Gunnery course at Portsmouth and from 21 October to 8 November took a Torpedo course there.[11]

On 5 January, 1913, Christian was appointed Rear-Admiral in the Home Fleets at Devonport, and was superseded in that position on 9 May, 1914.[12] From 13 July to 26 July he commanded the Seventh Cruiser Squadron in the test mobilisation.[13]

Great War

At some point Christian had been considered for command of what became the Dover Patrol. A note in the papers on the loss on Aboukir, Cressy and Hogue reads:

Please tell 1 S.L. not to appoint R.A. Christian to the separate command of the Dover Patrol till I have had the opportunity of further discussion with him.[14]

On 14 March, 1916, Christian 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.) dated 1 January.[15]

Christian was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 13 April, 1917, vice Anson.[16]

Christian was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 1 July, 1919, vice Bayly.[17]

He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 3 October, 1919.[18]

Footnotes

  1. The London Gazette: no. 25545. p. 7. 1 January, 1886.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 26694. p. 7532. 31 December, 1895.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 26696. p. 4. 3 January, 1896.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 27393. p. 3. 3 January, 1902.
  5. "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 3 May, 1902. Issue 36758, col B, p. 14.
  6. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  7. Christian Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 142.
  8. The London Gazette: no. 28525. p. 6306. 25 August, 1911.
  9. ADM 196/42. f. 142.
  10. ADM 203/99. f. 49.
  11. ADM 196/42. f. 142.
  12. ADM 196/42. f. 142.
  13. ADM 196/20. f. 435.
  14. The National Archives. ADM 137/47. f. 65.
  15. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29507. p. 2869. 14 March, 1916.
  16. The London Gazette: no. 30022. p. 3599. 17 April, 1917.
  17. The London Gazette: no. 31433. p. 8390. 4 July, 1919.
  18. The London Gazette: no. 31610. p. 12892. 21 October, 1919.

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Christian" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 23 August, 1926. Issue 44357, col D, pg. 15.

See Also

Service Records

Template:ApptCaptTemplate:ApptCaptTemplate:ApptCaptTemplate:ApptCapt
Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair
Captain of the Royal Naval College, Osborne
1908 – 1910
Succeeded by
The Hon. Horace L. A. Hood
Template:CatAdmiral