Difference between revisions of "William Frederic Wake-Walker"

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{{AdmRN}} '''William Frederic Wake-Walker''', C.B.E., Royal Navy (2 March, 1888 – ) served in the [[Royal Navy]].
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{{AdmRN}} '''William Frederic Wake-Walker''', C.B.E., Royal Navy (2 March, 1888 – 24 September, 1945) served in the [[Royal Navy]].
  
 
==Life & Career==
 
==Life & Career==
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Wake-Walker was appointed in command of the {{UK-Castor|f=t}} in May, 1929.
 
Wake-Walker was appointed in command of the {{UK-Castor|f=t}} in May, 1929.
  
H worked on the W torpedo.  His contributions were such that he was offered a "further and final award of 100 guineas" in the 1930s.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
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He worked on the "W" torpedo.  His contributions were such that he was offered a "further and final award of 100 guineas" in the 1930s.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
 +
 
 +
On 13 August 1934, while Wake-Walker was captain of the {{UK-Dragon|f=t}} and navigating in the harbour of Montreal, the cruiser collided with a moored oil bunkering steamer, ''Maplebranch'', sinking her.  Wake-Walker was found liable for the accident in a civil hearing despite his protestations that he was manoeuvring to avoid a third vessel.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
  
 
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-Revenge|f=t}} in January, 1938.
 
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-Revenge|f=t}} in January, 1938.
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==World War II==
 
==World War II==
Wake-Walker was mentioned in despatches on 20 December, 1940 in recognition of his services in the field in March/June during the evacuation from Dunkirk.  He was awarded his C.B.E. for his role in destroying the battleship ''Bismarck''.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
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Wake-Walker saw considerable service in World War II.  He was mentioned in despatches on 20 December, 1940 in recognition of his services in the field in March/June during the evacuation from Dunkirk.  He was awarded his C.B.E. for his role in destroying the battleship ''Bismarck'' as Rear Admiral Commanding {{UK-CS|1}}.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
  
 
Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 6 April, 1942.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
 
Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 6 April, 1942.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
  
 
Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on 8 May, 1945.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
 
Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on 8 May, 1945.<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>
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He died unexpectedly on 24 September, 1945 after having been appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean just earlier that month.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederic_Wake-Walker Wikipedia].</ref>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Frederic_Wake-Walker}}
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{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederic_Wake-Walker}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Neville Custance|Wilfred N. Custance]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Castor (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Castor'']]'''<br>May, 1929{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lancelot Gordon Ingham|Lancelot G. Ingham]]'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Neville Custance|Wilfred N. Custance]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Castor (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Castor'']]'''<br>17 May, 1929<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref> &ndash; 18 Jul, 1930<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry John Haynes|Henry J. Haynes]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Bowen Mackenzie|William B. Mackenzie]]'''|'''[[Director of Torpedoes and Mining (Royal Navy)|Director of Torpedoes and Mining]]'''<br>Oct, 1935<ref>Rickard, J. [http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_wake_walker.html Sir William Frederic Wake-Walker (1888–1945)]</ref> &ndash; Jan, 1938<ref>Rickard, J. [http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_wake_walker.html Sir William Frederic Wake-Walker (1888–1945)]</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Uniacke Penrose Fitzgerald|John U. P. Fitzgerald]]'''}}
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ernest John Spooner|Ernest J. Spooner]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Dragon (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Dragon'']]'''<br>8 Sep, 1932{{NLJul34|p. 233}} &ndash; Aug, 1935|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Ross Maxwell Johnson|Frederick R. M. Johnson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Arthur Buckley|Frederick A. Buckley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Revenge (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Revenge'']]'''<br>Jan, 1938{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Ernest Russell Archer|Ernest R. Archer]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Beveridge Mackenzie|William B. Mackenzie]]'''|'''[[Director of Torpedoes and Mining (Royal Navy)|Director of Torpedoes and Mining]]'''<br>29 Oct, 1935<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref> &ndash; 3 Jan, 1938<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Uniacke Penrose Fitzgerald|John U. P. Fitzgerald]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Roderick Bruce Tremayne Miles|Roderick B. T. Miles]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Revenge (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Revenge'']]'''<br>3 Jan, 1938<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref> &ndash; 30 Dec, 1938<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Guy L'Estrange Mansfield Sturges|Guy L'E. M. Sturges]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, First Baron Wester Wemyss|Rosslyn E. Wemyss]]'''|'''[[Twelfth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Twelfth Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>9 Sep, 1939<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref> &ndash; 28 Oct, 1939<ref>Wake-Walker Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/51/76.}} 187.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Edward Kennedy-Purvis|Charles E. Kennedy-Purvis]]'''|'''[[First Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>Jan, 1941 &ndash; Feb, 1942|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Louis Henry Keppel Hamilton|Louis H. K. Hamilton]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Bruce Austin Fraser, First Baron Fraser|sir Bruce A. Fraser]]'''|'''[[Third Sea Lord|Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy]]'''<br>1942 &ndash; 1945|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Saumarez Daniel|Sir Charles S. Daniel]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
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{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wake-Walker, William}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wake-Walker, William Frederic}}
  
{{CatPerson|UK||}}
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{{CatPerson|UK|1888|1945}}
 
{{CatBritannia|January, 1903}}
 
{{CatBritannia|January, 1903}}
{{CatAdmiral|UK}}
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{{CatAdm|UK}}
 
{{CatTorpedoOfficer|UK}}
 
{{CatTorpedoOfficer|UK}}

Revision as of 08:40, 4 May 2020

Admiral William Frederic Wake-Walker, C.B.E., Royal Navy (2 March, 1888 – 24 September, 1945) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 July, 1908.[1]

He qualified for torpedo duties on 25 August, 1911 with 1724 of 2000 marks awarded. On 28 June, 1912, he qualified as Lieutenant (T).[2]

Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 July, 1916. On 11 July, he was appointed to Ramillies to be her torpedo officer upon commissioning. He'd remain her torpedo officer until 7 April, 1919.[3]

Post-War

Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1920.[4]

In 1922 he was thanked for his zeal and contributions in developing the W torpedo and for creating a modified Torpedo Control Disc.[5] These were perhaps the Torpedo Control Disc Mark II** and Torpedo Control Disc Mark III* mentioned in the Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1922.[6]

Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1927.[7]

Wake-Walker was appointed in command of the light cruiser Castor in May, 1929.

He worked on the "W" torpedo. His contributions were such that he was offered a "further and final award of 100 guineas" in the 1930s.[8]

On 13 August 1934, while Wake-Walker was captain of the light cruiser Dragon and navigating in the harbour of Montreal, the cruiser collided with a moored oil bunkering steamer, Maplebranch, sinking her. Wake-Walker was found liable for the accident in a civil hearing despite his protestations that he was manoeuvring to avoid a third vessel.[9]

He was appointed in command of the battleship Revenge in January, 1938.

Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 10 January, 1939.[10]

World War II

Wake-Walker saw considerable service in World War II. He was mentioned in despatches on 20 December, 1940 in recognition of his services in the field in March/June during the evacuation from Dunkirk. He was awarded his C.B.E. for his role in destroying the battleship Bismarck as Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron.[11]

Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 6 April, 1942.[12]

Wake-Walker was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 8 May, 1945.[13]

He died unexpectedly on 24 September, 1945 after having been appointed as Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean just earlier that month.[14]

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Wilfred N. Custance
Captain of H.M.S. Castor
17 May, 1929[15] – 18 Jul, 1930[16]
Succeeded by
Henry J. Haynes
Preceded by
Ernest J. Spooner
Captain of H.M.S. Dragon
8 Sep, 1932[17] – Aug, 1935
Succeeded by
Frederick R. M. Johnson
Preceded by
William B. Mackenzie
Director of Torpedoes and Mining
29 Oct, 1935[18] – 3 Jan, 1938[19]
Succeeded by
John U. P. Fitzgerald
Preceded by
Roderick B. T. Miles
Captain of H.M.S. Revenge
3 Jan, 1938[20] – 30 Dec, 1938[21]
Succeeded by
Guy L'E. M. Sturges
Preceded by
Rosslyn E. Wemyss
Rear-Admiral Commanding, Twelfth Cruiser Squadron
9 Sep, 1939[22] – 28 Oct, 1939[23]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Charles E. Kennedy-Purvis
Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron
Jan, 1941 – Feb, 1942
Succeeded by
Louis H. K. Hamilton
Preceded by
sir Bruce A. Fraser
Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy
1942 – 1945
Succeeded by
Sir Charles S. Daniel

Footnotes

  1. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  2. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  3. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  4. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  5. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  6. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1922. p. 160.
  7. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  8. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  9. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  10. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  11. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  12. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  13. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  14. Wikipedia.
  15. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  16. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  17. The Navy List. (July, 1934). p. 233.
  18. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  19. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  20. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  21. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  22. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.
  23. Wake-Walker Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/76. 187.