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{{AdmRN}} {{SIR}} '''Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair''', G.C.B., M.V.O, Royal Navy (12 December, 1865 – 13 November, 1945) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[First World War]].
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[[File:Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair, as a Rear-Admiral during the First World War.<br><small>Portrait: Francis Dodd.</small>]]
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{{AdmRN}} T<small>HE MUCH HONOURED SIR</small> '''Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair''', G.C.B., M.V.O, Royal Navy (12 December, 1865 &ndash; 13 November, 1945) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[First World War]].
  
 
==Early Life & Career==
 
==Early Life & Career==
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Alexander-Sinclair was born in Malta on 12 December, 1865, the second son of Captain John Hobhouse Inglis Alexander, C.B., Royal Navy, of Southbar and Boghall, Renfrew, by his wife, Isabella Barbara, daughter of Thomas Cochrane Hume, of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Isabella, daughter and heiress of William Sinclair, of Freswick and Dunbeath in Caithness. He succeeded his elder brother to the Southbar property in 1892, and in 1894, on succeeding as twelfth laird to the estate of Freswick, adopted the additional surname of Sinclair.
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Edwyn Sinclair Alexander was born at Malta on 12 December, 1865, the second son of Captain John Hobhouse Inglis Alexander, C.B., Royal Navy, and Isabella Barbara.  He entered the [[Royal Navy]] and joined the entered the [[Royal Navy]] as a {{NavCadRN}}, being appointed to the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth on 15 January, 1879.  He left ''Britannia'' on 23 December, 1880, and on 24 December was appointed to the battleship ''Iron Duke'', flagship on the [[China Station]].  He was rated {{MidRN}} on 24 August, 1881, and on 19 December, 1882, he was appointed to her sister-ship ''Audacious''. On 25 July, 1884, he was appointed to the battleship ''Sultan'' in the [[Channel Squadron (Royal Navy)|Channel Squadron]], where he remained until 23 September, 1885, when he joined the corvette ''Active'' of the [[Training Squadron (Royal Navy)|Training Squadron]].  He was appointed Acting {{SubRN}} on 6 January, 1886, and confirmed in the rank on 6 May.<ref>ADM 196/42.  f. 361.</ref>
  
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Entering the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1879 Alexander served on the China station from early 1881 in the armour-plated iron ship ''Iron Duke'', flagship of (Sir) George Willes. He was promoted {{MidRN}} in August, 1881 and {{SubRN}} in January, 1886. After serving in the ''Active'' and taking a staff course he joined the ''Fearless'' in the Mediterranean in March, 1888, but left her on promotion to {{LieutRN}} in January, 1890 to become Flag Lieutenant to (Sir) Richard Tracey in the Channel Squadron. When Tracey became [[Admiral-Superintendent of Malta Dockyard]] in 1892 Alexander accompanied him and thus gained early insight into dockyard and administrative work.
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He was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 1 January, 1890.{{Gaz|26007|7553|31 December, 1889}} On 18 February he was appointed Flag Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral [[Richard Edward Tracey|Tracey]], Rear-Admiral Second-in-Command of the [[Channel Squadron (Royal Navy)|Channel Squadron]].<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 8 February, 1890.  Issue '''32930''', col B, p. 6.</ref>  On 12 September he was reappointed to the ''Alexandra'' as Flag Lieutenant to Tracey's successor, Rear-Admiral [[Loftus Francis Jones|Loftus F. Jones]].<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 10 September, 1890.  Issue '''33113''', col E, p. 7.</ref>
  
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From 1893 to 1896 he served in the battleship ''Ramillies'', flagship of Sir [[Michael Culme-Seymour, Third Baronet|Michael Culme-Seymour]], [[Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Squadron]], and from 1897 to 1900 was his Flag Lieutenant when he was [[Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth]]. After his promotion to {{CommRN}} in 1901, Alexander-Sinclair commanded the destroyer ''Albatross'' from June, 1902 and the dispatch vessel ''Surprise'' from January, 1904. He was promoted {{CaptRN}} in June, 1905 at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine. His first appointment in his new rank was that of captain of the [[Royal Naval College, Osborne]], where he remained until 1908. From 1909 to 1910 he commanded the second destroyer flotilla in home waters and in 1911 became Flag Captain to Sir Arthur Moore, the Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth. On 1 September, 1913 he was appointed to command [[H.M.S. Temeraire (1907)|H.M.S. ''Temeraire'']] and was still in command of her at the outbreak of war in 1914.
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He was appointed to ''Victory'' on 3 August, 1897, as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral [[Michael Culme-Seymour, Third Baronet|Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart.]]<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 27 July, 1897.  Issue '''35266''', col F, p. 10.</ref>
  
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==First World War==
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Alexander-Sinclair was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 11 January, 1901.{{Gaz|27266|310|15 January, 1901}}
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As a part of the extensive reorganization of the Grand Fleet which followed the battle of the Dogger Bank in January, 1915, Alexander-Sinclair became commodore commanding first light cruiser squadron with his broad pennant in the Galatea. On 31 May, 1916 the Galatea was part of the screen of the battle cruiser fleet under Sir [[David Richard Beatty, First Earl Beatty|David (later Earl) Beatty]] when she altered course to examine a neutral merchant vessel. As Alexander-Sinclair closed this ship he sighted two enemy destroyers approaching from the opposite direction. His "enemy in sight" signal brought the battle cruiser fleet, and subsequently the whole Grand Fleet, into the action known as the battle of Jutland.
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Alexander-Sinclair was appointed C.B. in 1916. In 1917, when he reached flag rank at the age of fifty-one, he was appointed {{RearRN}} commanding sixth light cruiser squadron with his flag in the Cardiff and in November, 1917 played a prominent part in the action with the German second scouting group in the Heligoland Bight. Twelve months later he had the great honour of leading the surrendered German High Sea Fleet into Rosyth with the British Grand Fleet in columns on either beam. For his war services he was appointed K.C.B. In the spring of 1919 the sixth light cruiser squadron was transferred to the Mediterranean under his command and renamed third light cruiser squadron.
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==Captain==
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Alexander-Sinclair was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1905.{{Gaz|27812|4557|30 June, 1905}}
  
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In 1920 Alexander-Sinclair was appointed [[Admiral-Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard]]. In 1922 he became [[Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Squadron]] with his flag in the ''Barham'' and for a while, during the illness of the Commander-in-Chief, Sir [[John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet|John De Robeck]], was senior admiral in the Atlantic Fleet. Then, in June 1925, he became [[Commander-in-Chief on the China Station]], with his flag in the ''Hawkins'', and showed great tact, forbearance, and judgement in handling difficult situations during the advance of the Chinese nationalist armies. In October, 1926 he was promoted to the full rank of {{AdmRN}} and returned to the United Kingdom in 1927 to become [[Commander-in-Chief at the Nore]]. He relinquished his command in May, 1930 and became first and principal aide-de-camp to King George V. At the end of the year he was placed on the retired list on attaining the age of sixty-five. On his retirement he was promoted G.C.B.
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He was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) dated 1 October, 1908.{{Gaz|28184|7295|9 October, 1908}}
  
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During his naval career of more than fifty years he had received several foreign decorations, including the American D.S.M., the French croix de guerre, and had been appointed a commander in the Legion of Honour.
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In February 1910, he assumed command of the {{UK-Bellona|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}  With her as his flagship, he was acting as Captain (D) of the {{UK-DF|2}} later that year.<ref>"The Mobilization of the Fleet" ''The Times''. Monday, 27 June, 1910.</ref>
  
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Alexander-Sinclair married twice: first, in 1892 Julia Margaret (died 1930), daughter of Colonel Charles Vereker Hamilton-Campbell, of Netherplace, Ayrshire. By this marriage he had two sons and one daughter. Secondly, in 1933 he married Maud Kathleen, widow of Major William Robinson Campbell, of the 14th Hussars, and younger daughter of Captain Samuel Yates Holt Davenport, the Royal Sussex Regiment, Territorial Army.
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On 1 September, 1913, he was appointed in command of {{UK-Temeraire}}.{{NLDec14|p. 384}}
  
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He died at his home, Dunbeath Castle, after a short illness on 13 November, 1945.
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==Great War==
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Although he was accorded blame in the affair, Alexander-Sinclair was able to live down the loss of confidential books from {{UK-Temeraire}} some time in 1914 and remained in command until 8 February, 1915, when he was appointed {{Com2RN}} Commanding the {{UK-LCS|1}}, hoisting his broad pendant in the {{UK-1Galatea}} on 16 February.{{SMNLMar15|p. 6}}
  
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A portrait of Alexander-Sinclair is included in Sir A. S. Cope's group, ''Some Sea Officers of the War of 1914–18'', in the National Portrait Gallery; a drawing by Francis Dodd is in the Imperial War Museum.
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The Admiralty expressed "surprise and displeasure" that a Court of Enquiry of which Alexander-Sinclair was president did not assign blame for an explosion which occurred aboard {{UK-Cordelia|f=p}} on 1 March, 1915.
  
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==Who was Who==
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Alexander-Sinclair commanded 1 L.C.S. at the [[Battle of Jutland]], one of three such squadrons screening the [[Battle Cruiser Fleet]].
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ALEXANDER-SINCLAIR, Admiral Sir Edwyn Sinclair
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GCB, 1930; KCB, 1919; CB 1916; MVO 1908
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Born 1865; 2nd s of Capt. John Hobhouse Inglis Alexander, Royal Navy, CB (d 1875), and Isabella Barbara (d 1884), o d of late T. C. Hume; m 1st, 1892, Julia Margaret (d 1930), 3rd d of late Colonel Charles Vereker Hamilton Campbell of Netherplace, Ayrshire; two s one d; 2nd, 1933, Maud Kathleen, yr d of late Capt. S. Y. H. Davenport, and widow of Major W. R. Campbell, DSO, 14th Hussars. [Assumed additional surname of Sinclair, 1894]; died 13 Nov. 1945
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In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1916, Alexander-Sinclair 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.).{{GazSup|29608|5553|2 June, 1916}} 
  
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JP, DL
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On 5 December 1916, he was reappointed in command of {{UK-LCS|1}}, now as a {{Com1RN}}.
  
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CAREER
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On 26 April, 1917, he was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}},{{Gaz|30037|3955|27 April, 1917}} and on 7 July he was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding, {{UK-LCS|6}} with his flag in {{UK-Cardiff}}.
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Entered Navy, 1879; in command of Osborne Naval College, 1905–08; of Third Light Cruiser Squadron, 1917–20; Adm.-Superintendent Portsmouth Dockyard, 1920–22; commanded First Battle Squadron Atlantic Fleet, 1922–24; Com.-in-Chief, China Station, 1925–26; The Nore, 1927–30; served European War, battle of Jutland Bank, 1916 (despatches twice KCB, CB, Croix de Guerre, 3rd Class Order of St Vladimir, with swords, Russia); Vice-Adm., 1922; Adm., 1926; First and Principal Naval ADC to the King, 1930; retd list 1930
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ADDRESS
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The Admiralty issued the following: "Credit is due for the successful results of operations on the 31st October, to the 2nd November, 1917, when a German Auxiliary Cruiser and several Trawlers were sunk in the Kattegat. Their Lordships' appreciation expressed."<ref>User Sadsac.</ref>
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Dunbeath Castle, Caithness
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==Footnotes==
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==Post-War Commands==
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{{reflist}}
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Alexander-Sinclair was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 1 January, 1919.{{GazSup|31099|106|1 January, 1919}}
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Alexander-Sinclair was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 4 April, 1922, vice [[Robert Stewart Phipps Hornby|Phipps Hornby]].{{Gaz|32668|2934|11 April, 1922}}
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On 4 October, 1926, he was promoted to the  rank of {{AdmRN}}, vice [[Montague Edward Browning|Browning]].{{Gaz|33209|6440|8 October, 1926}} 
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Alexander-Sinclair was appointed [[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V on 23 May, 1930.{{Gaz|33608|3233|23 May, 1930}}  He was placed on the Retired List on 12 December.{{Gaz|33670|8076|16 December, 1930}}  In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June of that year, Alexander-Sinclair was appointed an Ordinary member of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (G.C.B.).{{GazSup|33611|3475|3 June, 1918}}
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==See Also==
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{{refbegin}}
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* [[First L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland]]
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{{refend}}
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
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*"Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 14 November, 1945.  Issue '''50299''', col E, pg. 7.
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*"Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 14 November, 1945.  Issue '''50299''', col E, p. 7.
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
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==Service Record==
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==Service Records==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
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*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7894545&queryType=1&resultcount=1 ADM 196/42]
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*{{TNA|ADM 196/88.|D8115470}}
 +
*{{TNA|ADM 196/42.|D7579078}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
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==See Also==
 +
{{refbegin}}
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{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwyn_Alexander-Sinclair}}
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{{refend}}
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<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 +
{{TabNaval}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alfred Barnett Barker|Alfred B. Barker]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Violet (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Violet'']]'''<br>16 Jul, 1901<ref>"The Naval Manœuvres".  ''The Times''.  Thursday, 11 July, 1901.  Issue '''36504''', col C, p. 8.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hugh James Orr|Hugh J. Orr]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederic William Dean|Frederic W. Dean]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Albatross (1898)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Albatross'']]'''<br>24 Feb, 1902<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 361.</ref> &ndash; 19 Jan, 1904<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Godfrey Marshall Paine|Godfrey M. Paine]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Heathcoat Salusbury Grant|Heathcoat S. Grant]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Surprise (1885)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Surprise'']]'''<br>19 Jan, 1904{{NLOct04|p. 380}} &ndash; Feb, 1905|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Francis Bruen|Edward F. Bruen]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, First Baron Wester Wemyss|Rosslyn E. Wemyss]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Racer (1884)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Racer'']]'''<br>1 May, 1905{{NLMar07|p. 364}} &ndash; 16 Jul, 1908|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Henry Christian|Arthur H. Christian]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, First Baron Wester Wemyss|Rosslyn E. Wemyss]]'''|'''[[Royal Naval College, Osborne|Captain of Royal Naval College, Osborne]]'''<br>1 May, 1905<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref> &ndash; 5 Aug, 1908|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Henry Christian|Arthur H. Christian]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet|Walter H. Cowan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sapphire (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sapphire'']]'''<br>5 Jan, 1909<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>{{NLJul09|p. 372}} &ndash; 8 Feb, 1910<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Herbert Edward Holmes-à-Court|Herbert E. Holmes-à-Court]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[Second Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Second Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>5 Jan, 1909<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>{{NLJul09|p. 372}} &ndash; 7 Feb, 1911<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hubert George Brand|The Hon. Hubert G. Brand]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Bellona (1909)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Bellona'']]'''<br>8 Feb, 1910<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref> &ndash; 7 Feb, 1911<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hubert George Brand|The Hon. Hubert G. Brand]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John de Mestre Hutchison|John de M. Hutchison]]'''|'''[[Portsmouth Station|Flag Captain, Portsmouth Station]]'''<br>24 Mar, 1911<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref> &ndash; 1 Sep, 1913|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Greville Arthur Wellington Stapleton-Cotton|Richard G. A. W. Stapleton-Cotton]]'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Richard Fortescue Phillimore|Richard F. Phillimore]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Victory (1765)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Victory'']]'''<br>28 Mar, 1911{{NLAug12|p. 393}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis Arthur Marten|Francis A. Marten]]'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Cresswell John Eyres|Cresswell J. Eyres]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Temeraire (1907)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Temeraire'']]'''<br>1 Sep, 1913{{NLDec14|p. 384}} &ndash; 8 Feb, 1915<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Allen Thomas Hunt|Allen T. Hunt]]'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Rose Price Hawksley|James R. P. Hawksley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Galatea (1914)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Galatea'']]'''<br>8 Feb, 1915{{NLDec16|p. 394''o''}} &ndash; 7 Jul, 1917<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Ernest Kindersley Loring|Ernest K. Loring]]'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Edmund Goodenough|William E. Goodenough]]'''<br><small>as '''Commodore 2nd Class Commanding, First Light Cruiser Squadron'''</small>|'''[[First Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Light Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>8 Feb, 1915{{SMNLJul17|p. 6}} &ndash; 7 Jul, 1917<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet|Sir Walter H. Cowan]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>11 Jul, 1917{{SMNLAug17|p. 6}} &ndash; 1 Feb, 1919|Succeeded by<br>'''renamed as {{UK-LCS|3}}'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Allen Thomas Hunt|Allen T. Hunt]]'''|'''[[Third Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Third Light Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>1 Feb, 1919<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref><ref>Hunt Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 354.</ref> &ndash; 5 Aug, 1919<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Price Webley Hope|Sir George P. W. Hope]]'''<br><small>as '''Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third Light Cruiser Squadron'''</small>}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Lionel Vaughan-Lee|Sir Charles L. Vaughan-Lee]]'''|'''[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard|Admiral Superintendent, Portsmouth Dockyard]]'''<br>8 Apr, 1920<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 195/42.}}  f. 194.</ref> &ndash; 3 Oct, 1922<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 195/42.}}  f. 194.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edmund Percy Fenwick George Grant|Edmund P. F. G. Grant]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Coldingham Masters Nicholson|Sir William C. M. Nicholson]]'''|'''[[First Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Squadron]]'''<br>3 Oct, 1922<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  p. 194.</ref> &ndash; 14 Oct, 1924<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 361.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''Renamed as Second Battle Squadron'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Allan Frederic Everett|Sir Allan F. Everett]]'''|'''[[China Station|Commander-in-Chief, China Station]]'''<br>22 Apr, 1925<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 194.</ref> &ndash; 8 Nov, 1926<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 194.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, First Baronet|Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart.]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Edmund Goodenough|Sir William E. Goodenough]]'''|'''[[Nore Station|Commander-in-Chief at the Nore]]'''<br>16 May, 1927{{NLJul27|p. 258}}<ref>Alexander-Sinclair Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  p. 194.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, First Baronet|Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart.]]'''}}
 +
{{TabCourt}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Edmund Goodenough|Sir William E. Goodenough]]'''|'''[[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp|First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp]]'''<br>23 May, 1930{{Gaz|33608|3233|23 May, 1930}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet|Sir Walter H. Cowan, Bart.]]'''}}
 +
{{TabEnd}}
 +
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 +
 +
==Footnotes==
 +
{{reflist}}
  
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{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="center"
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alexander-Sinclair}}
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|-
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| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:#CEDFF2" | '''Command of [[H.M.S. Temeraire (1907)|H.M.S. ''Temeraire'']]'''
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|-
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| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''Captain [[Cresswell John Eyres|C.J. Eyres]]'''
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| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''Captain [[Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair|Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair]]'''<br>[[1 September]], [[1913]] &ndash; ?, [[1916]]
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| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''Captain [[Edwin Veale Underhill|E.V. Underhill]]'''
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|-
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|}
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[[Category:1865 births|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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{{CatPerson|UK|1865|1945}}
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[[Category:1945 deaths|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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{{CatBritannia|January, 1879}}
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[[Category:Personalities|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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{{CatAdm|UK}}
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[[Category:Commanding Officers of the Royal Naval College, Osborne|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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{{CatRN}}
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[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Temeraire (1907)|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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[[Category:Rear-Admirals Commanding, Third Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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[[Category:Vice-Admirals Commanding, First Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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[[Category:Admirals-Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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[[Category:Royal Navy Admirals|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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[[Category:Royal Navy Flag Officers|Alexander-Sinclair]]
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Latest revision as of 17:58, 6 April 2022

Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair, as a Rear-Admiral during the First World War.
Portrait: Francis Dodd.

Admiral THE MUCH HONOURED SIR Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair, G.C.B., M.V.O, Royal Navy (12 December, 1865 – 13 November, 1945) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Early Life & Career

Edwyn Sinclair Alexander was born at Malta on 12 December, 1865, the second son of Captain John Hobhouse Inglis Alexander, C.B., Royal Navy, and Isabella Barbara. He entered the Royal Navy and joined the entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet, being appointed to the training ship Britannia at Dartmouth on 15 January, 1879. He left Britannia on 23 December, 1880, and on 24 December was appointed to the battleship Iron Duke, flagship on the China Station. He was rated Midshipman on 24 August, 1881, and on 19 December, 1882, he was appointed to her sister-ship Audacious. On 25 July, 1884, he was appointed to the battleship Sultan in the Channel Squadron, where he remained until 23 September, 1885, when he joined the corvette Active of the Training Squadron. He was appointed Acting Sub-Lieutenant on 6 January, 1886, and confirmed in the rank on 6 May.[1]

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 January, 1890.[2] On 18 February he was appointed Flag Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Tracey, Rear-Admiral Second-in-Command of the Channel Squadron.[3] On 12 September he was reappointed to the Alexandra as Flag Lieutenant to Tracey's successor, Rear-Admiral Loftus F. Jones.[4]

He was appointed to Victory on 3 August, 1897, as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, Bart.[5]

Alexander-Sinclair was promoted to the rank of Commander on 11 January, 1901.[6]

Captain

Alexander-Sinclair was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1905.[7]

He was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) dated 1 October, 1908.[8]

In February 1910, he assumed command of the scout cruiser Bellona.[9] With her as his flagship, he was acting as Captain (D) of the Second Destroyer Flotilla later that year.[10]

On 1 September, 1913, he was appointed in command of Temeraire.[11]

Great War

Although he was accorded blame in the affair, Alexander-Sinclair was able to live down the loss of confidential books from Temeraire some time in 1914 and remained in command until 8 February, 1915, when he was appointed Commodore, Second Class Commanding the First Light Cruiser Squadron, hoisting his broad pendant in the Galatea on 16 February.[12]

The Admiralty expressed "surprise and displeasure" that a Court of Enquiry of which Alexander-Sinclair was president did not assign blame for an explosion which occurred aboard H.M.S. Cordelia on 1 March, 1915.

Alexander-Sinclair commanded 1 L.C.S. at the Battle of Jutland, one of three such squadrons screening the Battle Cruiser Fleet.

In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June, 1916, Alexander-Sinclair 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.).[13]

On 5 December 1916, he was reappointed in command of First Light Cruiser Squadron, now as a Commodore, First Class.

On 26 April, 1917, he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral,[14] and on 7 July he was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding, Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron with his flag in Cardiff.

The Admiralty issued the following: "Credit is due for the successful results of operations on the 31st October, to the 2nd November, 1917, when a German Auxiliary Cruiser and several Trawlers were sunk in the Kattegat. Their Lordships' appreciation expressed."[15]

Post-War Commands

Alexander-Sinclair was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 1 January, 1919.[16]

Alexander-Sinclair was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 4 April, 1922, vice Phipps Hornby.[17]

On 4 October, 1926, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral, vice Browning.[18]

Alexander-Sinclair was appointed First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V on 23 May, 1930.[19] He was placed on the Retired List on 12 December.[20] In the King's Birthday Honours of 3 June of that year, Alexander-Sinclair was appointed an Ordinary member of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (G.C.B.).[21]

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 14 November, 1945. Issue 50299, col E, p. 7.

Service Records

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Alfred B. Barker 		Captain of H.M.S. Violet
16 Jul, 1901[22] 		Succeeded by
Hugh J. Orr
Preceded by
Frederic W. Dean 		Captain of H.M.S. Albatross
24 Feb, 1902[23] – 19 Jan, 1904[24] 		Succeeded by
Godfrey M. Paine
Preceded by
Heathcoat S. Grant 		Captain of H.M.S. Surprise
19 Jan, 1904[25] – Feb, 1905 		Succeeded by
Edward F. Bruen
Preceded by
Rosslyn E. Wemyss 		Captain of H.M.S. Racer
1 May, 1905[26] – 16 Jul, 1908 		Succeeded by
Arthur H. Christian
Preceded by
Rosslyn E. Wemyss 		Captain of Royal Naval College, Osborne
1 May, 1905[27] – 5 Aug, 1908 		Succeeded by
Arthur H. Christian
Preceded by
Walter H. Cowan 		Captain of H.M.S. Sapphire
5 Jan, 1909[28][29] – 8 Feb, 1910[30] 		Succeeded by
Herbert E. Holmes-à-Court
Preceded by
? 		Captain (D), Second Destroyer Flotilla
5 Jan, 1909[31][32] – 7 Feb, 1911[33] 		Succeeded by
The Hon. Hubert G. Brand
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Bellona
8 Feb, 1910[34] – 7 Feb, 1911[35] 		Succeeded by
The Hon. Hubert G. Brand
Preceded by
John de M. Hutchison 		Flag Captain, Portsmouth Station
24 Mar, 1911[36] – 1 Sep, 1913 		Succeeded by
Richard G. A. W. Stapleton-Cotton
Preceded by
Richard F. Phillimore 		Captain of H.M.S. Victory
28 Mar, 1911[37] 		Succeeded by
Francis A. Marten
Preceded by
Cresswell J. Eyres 		Captain of H.M.S. Temeraire
1 Sep, 1913[38] – 8 Feb, 1915[39] 		Succeeded by
Allen T. Hunt
Preceded by
James R. P. Hawksley 		Captain of H.M.S. Galatea
8 Feb, 1915[40] – 7 Jul, 1917[41] 		Succeeded by
Ernest K. Loring
Preceded by
William E. Goodenough
as Commodore 2nd Class Commanding, First Light Cruiser Squadron 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Light Cruiser Squadron
8 Feb, 1915[42] – 7 Jul, 1917[43] 		Succeeded by
Sir Walter H. Cowan
Preceded by
New Command 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, Sixth Light Cruiser Squadron
11 Jul, 1917[44] – 1 Feb, 1919 		Succeeded by
renamed as Third Light Cruiser Squadron
Preceded by
Allen T. Hunt 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, Third Light Cruiser Squadron
1 Feb, 1919[45][46] – 5 Aug, 1919[47] 		Succeeded by
Sir George P. W. Hope
as Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third Light Cruiser Squadron
Preceded by
Sir Charles L. Vaughan-Lee 		Admiral Superintendent, Portsmouth Dockyard
8 Apr, 1920[48] – 3 Oct, 1922[49] 		Succeeded by
Edmund P. F. G. Grant
Preceded by
Sir William C. M. Nicholson 		Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Battle Squadron
3 Oct, 1922[50] – 14 Oct, 1924[51] 		Succeeded by
Renamed as Second Battle Squadron
Preceded by
Sir Allan F. Everett 		Commander-in-Chief, China Station
22 Apr, 1925[52] – 8 Nov, 1926[53] 		Succeeded by
Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart.
Preceded by
Sir William E. Goodenough 		Commander-in-Chief at the Nore
16 May, 1927[54][55] 		Succeeded by
Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart.
Court Appointments
Preceded by
Sir William E. Goodenough 		First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp
23 May, 1930[56] 		Succeeded by
Sir Walter H. Cowan, Bart.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26007. p. 7553. 31 December, 1889.
  3. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 8 February, 1890. Issue 32930, col B, p. 6.
  4. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 10 September, 1890. Issue 33113, col E, p. 7.
  5. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 27 July, 1897. Issue 35266, col F, p. 10.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27266. p. 310. 15 January, 1901.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27812. p. 4557. 30 June, 1905.
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28184. p. 7295. 9 October, 1908.
  9. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  10. ↑ "The Mobilization of the Fleet" The Times. Monday, 27 June, 1910.
  11. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 384.
  12. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (March, 1915). p. 6.
  13. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29608. p. 5553. 2 June, 1916.
  14. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 30037. p. 3955. 27 April, 1917.
  15. ↑ User Sadsac.
  16. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31099. p. 106. 1 January, 1919.
  17. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 32668. p. 2934. 11 April, 1922.
  18. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33209. p. 6440. 8 October, 1926.
  19. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33608. p. 3233. 23 May, 1930.
  20. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33670. p. 8076. 16 December, 1930.
  21. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 33611. p. 3475. 3 June, 1918.
  22. ↑ "The Naval Manœuvres". The Times. Thursday, 11 July, 1901. Issue 36504, col C, p. 8.
  23. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  24. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  25. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1904). p. 380.
  26. ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1907). p. 364.
  27. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  28. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  29. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1909). p. 372.
  30. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  31. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  32. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1909). p. 372.
  33. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  34. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  35. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  36. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  37. ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1912). p. 393.
  38. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 384.
  39. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  40. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 394o.
  41. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  42. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (July, 1917). p. 6.
  43. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  44. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (August, 1917). p. 6.
  45. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  46. ↑ Hunt Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 354.
  47. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  48. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 195/42. f. 194.
  49. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 195/42. f. 194.
  50. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 194.
  51. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 361.
  52. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 194.
  53. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 194.
  54. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 258.
  55. ↑ Alexander-Sinclair Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. p. 194.
  56. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33608. p. 3233. 23 May, 1930.

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