Difference between revisions of "William Milbourne James"

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==Early Life & Career==
 
==Early Life & Career==
When a {{LieutGRN}}, James created the [[James Calculator]], a slide rule and plotting board intended to assist in applying the experimental [[Torpedo Control|torpedo control]] method of [[Deflection Plotting|deflection plotting]].{{ARTS1912|p. 27. (G. Branch No. 518, G. 4009/12).  That "W. M. James" is this James is inferred}}
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When a {{LieutRN}} (G), James created the [[James Calculator]], a slide rule and plotting board intended to assist in applying the experimental [[Torpedo Control|torpedo control]] method of [[Deflection Plotting|deflection plotting]].{{ARTS1912|p. 27. (G. Branch No. 518, G. 4009/12).  That "W. M. James" is this James is inferred}}
  
 +
On the occasion of his retirement as [[First Sea Lord]], Admiral [[Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman|Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman]] wrote to the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]], [[Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill|Winston S. Churchill]] on 8 December, 1912:
 +
 +
<blockquote>This is the cleverest and most accomplished Gunnery Lieutenant in the Navy.  He is responsible for the excellent gunnery efficiency of the "Colossus."  Admiral de Chair would tell you more about him; but I hear on every side that he is quite an exceptional man, and it would be a matter of great satisfaction to the whole of the gunnery branch if recognition of his ability was awarded by promotion at this time.<ref>Bridgeman to Churchill.  Letter of 8 December, 1912.  Copies of Churchill-Bridgeman correspondence.  p. 5.  {{TNA|CAB 37/113.}}  No. 135.</ref></blockquote>
 +
 +
James was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 1 January, 1913.<ref>ADM 196/46.  f. 145.</ref>
 +
 +
==Great War==
 
James's father-in-law noted in his diary:
 
James's father-in-law noted in his diary:
  
<blockquote>It appears that James is getting himself disliked, or rather has a bad name for being constantly onshore.  This failing is of long standing.  he apparently has the young Lieutenants view that days off are days when one must go onshore, a very unfortunate view in the case of a Commander.<ref>Duff diary entry for 11 July, 1915.  National Maritime Museum.  DFF/15.</ref></blockquote>
+
<blockquote>It appears that James is getting himself disliked, or rather has a bad name for being constantly onshore.  This failing is of long standing.  He apparently has the young Lieutenant's view that days off are days when one must go onshore, a very unfortunate view in the case of a Commander.<ref>Duff diary entry for 11 July, 1915.  National Maritime Museum.  DFF/15.</ref></blockquote>
 +
 
 +
In March, 1916, James was appointed Flag Commander to Vice-Admiral [[Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, Bart.]], Vice-Admiral Commanding the {{UK-BS|4}}.  On 1 January, 1917, he was also appointed for War Staff duties.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/46.}}  f. 146.</ref>
 +
 
 +
On 2 June, 1917, he was appointed to ''President'' for service in the [[Intelligence Division (Royal Navy)|Intelligence Division]] of the [[Naval Staff (Royal Navy)|Naval Staff]].  From 7 July he was appointed a II Grade Staff Officer and was to receive a consolidated salary of £600 a year.  He was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 18 October.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/46.}}  f. 146.</ref>  In the Intelligence Division he took responsibility of [[N.I.D. 25|I.D. 25]] (also called "Room 40"), but did not impress one of the codebreakers there, W. F. Clarke:
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>He was a very different type to Hope <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Herbert Willes Webley Hope|Herbert W. W. Hope]]<nowiki>]</nowiki>, very pushing, very self confident.  He had been a remarkable success as a Commander at sea but he came to a job which required other qualifications which, in my opinion, he did not possess.  But luckily by then everything was so organised that we required little but a figurehead and for that he was admirably suited.  For the changes in procedure which took place he was not responsible.  When he came only about three of us were in uniform, within two months we all were.  He vastly increased our numbers, impelled by the so prevalent idea that the larger one's staff the more important one was, a mistake from the efficiency point of view [which] was too often the rule in the last war.  He got his promotion very soon.  He has written the story of his work in Room 40 in a volume of his own reminiscences about which I can only say that I have never seen so many misstatements of fact, not of opinion, on so few pages.<ref>"Room 40 O.B.  Chapter 3.  The Overlords."  f. 6.  {{TNA|HW 3/3.}}</ref></blockquote>
  
 
==Inter-War Years==
 
==Inter-War Years==
On 12 February, 1919, James was appointed a Companion in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) for his services during the war.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31176/supplements/2237 (Supplement) no. 31176.  p. 2741.]  17 April, 1928.</ref>
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James was appointed Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence on 15 January, 1919.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/46.}}  f. 146.</ref>  On 12 February he was appointed a Companion in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) for his services during the war.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31176/supplements/2237 (Supplement) no. 31176.  p. 2741.]  17 April, 1928.</ref>
  
In April 1920, he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Curlew|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}
+
He was superseded as D.D.N.I. on 20 March, 1920, and briefly served on a committee to consider the position and status of Petty Officers until 26 March.  In April he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Curlew|f=t}} on the [[China Station]] on recommissioning.<ref>ADM 196/46.  f. 146.</ref>
  
In June 1921, he assumed command of the {{UK-Hawkins|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}
+
His father-in-law, Admiral [[Alexander Ludovic Duff|Duff]], then Commander-in-Chief on the [[China Station]], asked him to come as his Chief of Staff and Flag Captain,<ref>James.  ''The Sky was Always Blue''.  pp. 122-123.</ref> and in June, 1921, he assumed command of the {{UK-Hawkins|f=t}}.  He was superseded in command of ''Hawkins'' in September, 1922, and returned to Britain, to be informed that in the following Summer he would be appointed Deputy Director of the Royal Naval Staff College.{{JamesSky|p. 129}} On 5 March, 1923, he was appointed to ''President'' for the Senior Officers' War Course, and on 11 June was appointed to the Staff College, becoming Deputy Director on 28 June.  On 17 July, 1925, he succeeded to the position of Director. <ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/46.}}  f. 146.</ref>
 +
 
 +
He was superseded as Director on 4 January, 1926, and appointed to ''Victory'' for the Senior Officers' Technical Course.  On 1 November he was appointed in command of the battleship {{UK-RoyalSovereign}}, which transferred from the Home Fleet to the Mediterranean on his assuming command and finishing her refit.<ref>"Naval and Military."  ''The Times''.  Friday, 12 November, 1926.  p. 21.</ref>  Shortly afterwards he became Flag Captain and Chief Staff Officer to Rear-Admiral [[David Thomas Norris|David T. Norris]] in the {{UK-BS|1}}, who hoisted his flag in ''Royal Sovereign''.<ref>James.  ''The Sky was Always Blue''.  p. 140.</ref>  He was appointed Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral of the Fleet [[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart.]], on 11 November, 1927.<ref>ADM 196/46.  f. 146.</ref>
  
 
James was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V on 9 April, 1928, vice [[Theodore John Hallett|Hallett]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33376/pages/2741 no. 33376.  p. 2741.]  17 April, 1928.</ref>
 
James was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King George V on 9 April, 1928, vice [[Theodore John Hallett|Hallett]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33376/pages/2741 no. 33376.  p. 2741.]  17 April, 1928.</ref>
  
James was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 1 March, 1929, vice [[Arthur Charles Strutt|Strutt]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33474/pages/1575 no. 33474.  p. 1575.]  5 March, 1929.</ref>
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James was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 1 March, 1929, vice [[Arthur Charles Strutt|Strutt]].<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33474/pages/1575 no. 33474.  p. 1575.]  5 March, 1929.</ref> He was invited by Admiral [[Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, First Baron Chatfield|Sir A. Ernle M. Chatfield]] to go as his Chief of Staff when he became Commander-in-Chief in the Atlantic Fleet.  He was accordingly appointed to ''Nelson'' on Chatfield hoisting his flag in April.<ref>James.  ''The Sky was Always Blue''.  p. 153.</ref>
 +
 
 +
When Chatfield was appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean on 27 May, 1930, and James went with him as his Chief of Staff in the {{UK-QueenElizabeth}}.  He was superseded on 8 May, 1931.<ref>ADM 196/46.  f. 146.</ref>
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 +
On 15 August, 1932, James was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the {{UK-BCS}}.  He was re-appointed on promotion to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 30 September, 1933.  When Admiral Sir John Kelly gave up command of the Home Fleet that year he reported on James as follows:
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>A straight, loyal and upright character, and a peculiarly sunny and lovable disposition.  A fine brain and a most imaginative mind.<br>He is full of ideas, many of which are sound, and some, in my opinion, definitely the reverse.  He is inclined to be impetuous at times, and to act without sufficient thought.  I think that he is, and is looked upon as being, somewhat of a "bounce".<br>He is immensely keen on whatever he takes up, but I am not sure whether he is able to inspire those around him with his own enthusiasms.  He might, possibly, become tiring.<br>His knowledge of Naval History is exceptional, and he has an unusual faculty for expressing himself on paper - provided that it is typewritten!!<br>He is an indefatigable, but not always concise, conversationalist.  One aspect of his verbiage - which many of us would be glad to share - is the gift of being able to make a speech, and a good one, at any moment and on any subject.<br>Another, and a less desirable one, is that, when presiding at a Meeting or Conference, his conversational lavishness and tangential movements of his mind prolong the meeting to the point of boredom of it's remaining members.<br>He usually handles his squadron well, and will improve in this respect with experience.<br>He keeps himself thoroughly up to date on the subject of modern fighting methods and tactics, and in the developments of armament and equipment.<br>As to whether or not he has the balance, the firmness, the decision and the forcefulness desirable in a First Sea Lord or for the Command of the Main Fleet, I am inclined to doubt, but this will, in all probability, be revealed during his next Command afloat.  In any case, I have no hesitation whatever in recommending most strongly his retention and employment, afloat or ashore, as a Vice Admiral.  I consider that he is exceptionally well fitted for the Appointment as Head of the War College.<br>In "Special Marking" I assess him as 90.<br>His Wife will, I think, be a great help to him socially in any post he may be called upon to occupy.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/90.}}  f. 133.</ref></blockquote>
 +
 
 +
He was superseded in command of the Battle Cruiser Squadron on 14 August, 1934.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/46.}}  f. 146.</ref>
 +
 
 +
On 15 March, 1935, he was appointed President of a Committee on the future training of Officers for war.  He was appointed for duty inside the Admiralty on 1 October, and on 29 October he was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the [[Board of Admiralty|Admiralty]] and [[Deputy Chief of Naval Staff]].  On 21 January, 1938, he was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}}.  He was superseded as D.C.N.S. in November.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 196/46.}}  f. 146.</ref>
 +
 
 +
James succeeded Admiral of the Fleet Lord Cork and Orrery as Commander-in-Chief, [[Portsmouth Station|Portsmouth]], on 30 June, 1939.  He gave up command on 30 September, 1942, and was placed on the Retired List on 29 October.<ref>ADM 196/46.  f. 146.</ref>  On 15 January, 1943, he was invited to stand as Conservative and National Government candidate for Portsmouth North in the by-election caused by the elevation to the peerage of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes.<ref>"Portsmouth By-Election."  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 16 January, 1943.  p. 2.</ref>  He was adopted as the candidate at a meeting on 21 January.<ref>"Labour Vote at Bristol."  ''The Times''.  Friday, 22 January, 1943.  p. 2.</ref>  The result was declared on 17 February, and James won the by-election, obtaining 6,735 votes to his Common Wealth independent opponent, Tom Sargant's, 4,545.<ref>"Admiral M.P. for Portsmouth."  Thursday, 18 February, 1943.  p. 4.</ref>  On 23 February he was appointed Chief of Naval Information at the Admiralty, and was superseded on 29 November, 1944.  He did not seek re-election as Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North in the General Election of 1945.  He reverted to the Retired List on 13 September, 1945.
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Milbourne_James}}
+
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Milbourne_James}}
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
Line 27: Line 54:
 
*James, Admiral Sir W. M. James (1946).  ''The Portsmouth Letters''.  London: Macmillan & Co..
 
*James, Admiral Sir W. M. James (1946).  ''The Portsmouth Letters''.  London: Macmillan & Co..
 
*James, Admiral Sir William (1956).  ''The Eyes of the Navy: A Biographical Study of Admiral Sir Reginald Hall''.  London: Methuen & Co..
 
*James, Admiral Sir William (1956).  ''The Eyes of the Navy: A Biographical Study of Admiral Sir Reginald Hall''.  London: Methuen & Co..
*James, Admiral Sir William (1951).  ''The Sky was Always Blue''.  London: Methuen & Co..
+
*{{JamesSky}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
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<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Wilfrid Nunn|Wilfrid Nunn]]'''|'''Captain of {{UK-Curlew|f=p}}'''<br>Apr, 1920{{NLDec20|p. 756}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Harold Ernest Sulivan|Harold E. Sulivan]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[Naval Intelligence Division (Royal Navy)|Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence]]'''<br>15 Jan, 1919<ref>James Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46.}}  f. 146.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Geoffrey Hopwood|Geoffrey Hopwood]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Guy Hannam Henderson|Reginald G. H. Henderson]]'''|'''Captain of {{UK-Hawkins|f=p}}'''<br>Jun, 1921{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Argentine Hugh Alington|Argentine H. Alington]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Beauchamp Arbuthnot Francis|Beauchamp A. Francis]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Curlew (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Curlew'']]'''<br>Apr, 1920{{NLJan21|p. 756}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Harold Ernest Sulivan|Harold E. Sulivan]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Tomkinson|Wilfred Tomkinson]]'''|'''[[Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Command of Battle Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>15 Aug, 1932<ref>"The Services" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 13 August, 1932.  Issue '''46211''', col E, p. 13.</ref> &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Sidney Robert Bailey|Sidney R. Bailey]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Guy Hannam Henderson|Reginald G. H. Henderson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hawkins (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hawkins'']]'''<br>Jun, 1921{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Argentine Hugh Alington|Argentine H. Alington]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles James Colebrooke Little|Charles J. C. Little]]'''|'''[[Deputy Chief of Naval Staff]]'''<br>29 Oct, 1935<ref>"Flag Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 12 August, 1935.  Issue '''47140''', col F, p. 10.</ref> &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Andrew Browne Cunningham, First Viscount Cunningham|Andrew B. Cunningham]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Barry Edward Domvile|Barry E. Domvile]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Royal Sovereign (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Royal Sovereign'']]'''<br>Nov, 1926{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; Dec, 1927{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Gerard Aylmer Wells|Gerard A. Wells]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Henry Dudley Boyle, Twelfth Earl of Cork and Orrery|William H. D. Boyle]]'''|'''Commander-in-Chief, [[Portsmouth Station]]'''<br>30 Jun, 1939<ref>"Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 17 February, 1939.  Issue '''48232''', col F, p. 4.</ref> &ndash; ?|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles James Colebrooke Little|Charles J. C. Little]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Tomkinson|Wilfred Tomkinson]]'''|'''[[Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>15 Aug, 1932<ref>"The Services" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 13 August, 1932.  Issue '''46211''', col E, p. 13.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Sidney Robert Bailey|Sidney R. Bailey]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles James Colebrooke Little|Sir Charles J. C. Little]]'''|'''[[Deputy Chief of Naval Staff|Deputy Chief of Naval Staff]]'''<br>29 Oct, 1935<ref>"Flag Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 12 August, 1935.  Issue '''47140''', col F, p. 10.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Andrew Browne Cunningham, First Viscount Cunningham|Sir Andrew B. Cunningham]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Henry Dudley Boyle, Twelfth Earl of Cork and Orrery|The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cork and Orrery]]'''|'''[[Portsmouth Station|Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Station]]'''<br>30 Jun, 1939<ref>"Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Friday, 17 February, 1939.  Issue '''48232''', col F, p. 4.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles James Colebrooke Little|Sir Charles J. C. Little]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
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{{CatBritannia|January, 1896}}
 
{{CatBritannia|January, 1896}}
 
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
 
{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
[[Category:Deputy Chiefs of the Naval Staff]]
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{{CatAdm|UK}}
[[Category:Commanders-in-Chief, Portsmouth]]
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{{CatAdmiral|UK}}
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Revision as of 20:54, 13 August 2017

Admiral SIR William Milbourne James, G.C.B., Royal Navy (22 December, 1881 – 17 August, 1973) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Early Life & Career

When a Lieutenant (G), James created the James Calculator, a slide rule and plotting board intended to assist in applying the experimental torpedo control method of deflection plotting.[1]

On the occasion of his retirement as First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman wrote to the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston S. Churchill on 8 December, 1912:

This is the cleverest and most accomplished Gunnery Lieutenant in the Navy. He is responsible for the excellent gunnery efficiency of the "Colossus." Admiral de Chair would tell you more about him; but I hear on every side that he is quite an exceptional man, and it would be a matter of great satisfaction to the whole of the gunnery branch if recognition of his ability was awarded by promotion at this time.[2]

James was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 January, 1913.[3]

Great War

James's father-in-law noted in his diary:

It appears that James is getting himself disliked, or rather has a bad name for being constantly onshore. This failing is of long standing. He apparently has the young Lieutenant's view that days off are days when one must go onshore, a very unfortunate view in the case of a Commander.[4]

In March, 1916, James was appointed Flag Commander to Vice-Admiral Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, Bart., Vice-Admiral Commanding the Fourth Battle Squadron. On 1 January, 1917, he was also appointed for War Staff duties.[5]

On 2 June, 1917, he was appointed to President for service in the Intelligence Division of the Naval Staff. From 7 July he was appointed a II Grade Staff Officer and was to receive a consolidated salary of £600 a year. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 18 October.[6] In the Intelligence Division he took responsibility of I.D. 25 (also called "Room 40"), but did not impress one of the codebreakers there, W. F. Clarke:

He was a very different type to Hope [Herbert W. W. Hope], very pushing, very self confident. He had been a remarkable success as a Commander at sea but he came to a job which required other qualifications which, in my opinion, he did not possess. But luckily by then everything was so organised that we required little but a figurehead and for that he was admirably suited. For the changes in procedure which took place he was not responsible. When he came only about three of us were in uniform, within two months we all were. He vastly increased our numbers, impelled by the so prevalent idea that the larger one's staff the more important one was, a mistake from the efficiency point of view [which] was too often the rule in the last war. He got his promotion very soon. He has written the story of his work in Room 40 in a volume of his own reminiscences about which I can only say that I have never seen so many misstatements of fact, not of opinion, on so few pages.[7]

Inter-War Years

James was appointed Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence on 15 January, 1919.[8] On 12 February he was appointed a Companion in the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) for his services during the war.[9]

He was superseded as D.D.N.I. on 20 March, 1920, and briefly served on a committee to consider the position and status of Petty Officers until 26 March. In April he was appointed in command of the light cruiser Curlew on the China Station on recommissioning.[10]

His father-in-law, Admiral Duff, then Commander-in-Chief on the China Station, asked him to come as his Chief of Staff and Flag Captain,[11] and in June, 1921, he assumed command of the cruiser Hawkins. He was superseded in command of Hawkins in September, 1922, and returned to Britain, to be informed that in the following Summer he would be appointed Deputy Director of the Royal Naval Staff College.[12] On 5 March, 1923, he was appointed to President for the Senior Officers' War Course, and on 11 June was appointed to the Staff College, becoming Deputy Director on 28 June. On 17 July, 1925, he succeeded to the position of Director. [13]

He was superseded as Director on 4 January, 1926, and appointed to Victory for the Senior Officers' Technical Course. On 1 November he was appointed in command of the battleship Royal Sovereign, which transferred from the Home Fleet to the Mediterranean on his assuming command and finishing her refit.[14] Shortly afterwards he became Flag Captain and Chief Staff Officer to Rear-Admiral David T. Norris in the First Battle Squadron, who hoisted his flag in Royal Sovereign.[15] He was appointed Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles E. Madden, Bart., on 11 November, 1927.[16]

James was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V on 9 April, 1928, vice Hallett.[17]

James was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 1 March, 1929, vice Strutt.[18] He was invited by Admiral Sir A. Ernle M. Chatfield to go as his Chief of Staff when he became Commander-in-Chief in the Atlantic Fleet. He was accordingly appointed to Nelson on Chatfield hoisting his flag in April.[19]

When Chatfield was appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean on 27 May, 1930, and James went with him as his Chief of Staff in the Queen Elizabeth. He was superseded on 8 May, 1931.[20]

On 15 August, 1932, James was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the Battle Cruiser Squadron. He was re-appointed on promotion to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 30 September, 1933. When Admiral Sir John Kelly gave up command of the Home Fleet that year he reported on James as follows:

A straight, loyal and upright character, and a peculiarly sunny and lovable disposition. A fine brain and a most imaginative mind.
He is full of ideas, many of which are sound, and some, in my opinion, definitely the reverse. He is inclined to be impetuous at times, and to act without sufficient thought. I think that he is, and is looked upon as being, somewhat of a "bounce".
He is immensely keen on whatever he takes up, but I am not sure whether he is able to inspire those around him with his own enthusiasms. He might, possibly, become tiring.
His knowledge of Naval History is exceptional, and he has an unusual faculty for expressing himself on paper - provided that it is typewritten!!
He is an indefatigable, but not always concise, conversationalist. One aspect of his verbiage - which many of us would be glad to share - is the gift of being able to make a speech, and a good one, at any moment and on any subject.
Another, and a less desirable one, is that, when presiding at a Meeting or Conference, his conversational lavishness and tangential movements of his mind prolong the meeting to the point of boredom of it's remaining members.
He usually handles his squadron well, and will improve in this respect with experience.
He keeps himself thoroughly up to date on the subject of modern fighting methods and tactics, and in the developments of armament and equipment.
As to whether or not he has the balance, the firmness, the decision and the forcefulness desirable in a First Sea Lord or for the Command of the Main Fleet, I am inclined to doubt, but this will, in all probability, be revealed during his next Command afloat. In any case, I have no hesitation whatever in recommending most strongly his retention and employment, afloat or ashore, as a Vice Admiral. I consider that he is exceptionally well fitted for the Appointment as Head of the War College.
In "Special Marking" I assess him as 90.
His Wife will, I think, be a great help to him socially in any post he may be called upon to occupy.[21]

He was superseded in command of the Battle Cruiser Squadron on 14 August, 1934.[22]

On 15 March, 1935, he was appointed President of a Committee on the future training of Officers for war. He was appointed for duty inside the Admiralty on 1 October, and on 29 October he was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. On 21 January, 1938, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral. He was superseded as D.C.N.S. in November.[23]

James succeeded Admiral of the Fleet Lord Cork and Orrery as Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, on 30 June, 1939. He gave up command on 30 September, 1942, and was placed on the Retired List on 29 October.[24] On 15 January, 1943, he was invited to stand as Conservative and National Government candidate for Portsmouth North in the by-election caused by the elevation to the peerage of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes.[25] He was adopted as the candidate at a meeting on 21 January.[26] The result was declared on 17 February, and James won the by-election, obtaining 6,735 votes to his Common Wealth independent opponent, Tom Sargant's, 4,545.[27] On 23 February he was appointed Chief of Naval Information at the Admiralty, and was superseded on 29 November, 1944. He did not seek re-election as Member of Parliament for Portsmouth North in the General Election of 1945. He reverted to the Retired List on 13 September, 1945.

See Also

Bibliography

  • Beesly, Patrick (1982). Room 40: British Naval Intelligence 1914–1918. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0192814680.
  • James, Admiral Sir W. M. James (1946). The Portsmouth Letters. London: Macmillan & Co..
  • James, Admiral Sir William (1956). The Eyes of the Navy: A Biographical Study of Admiral Sir Reginald Hall. London: Methuen & Co..
  • James, Admiral Sir William (1951). The Sky was Always Blue. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd..

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
?
Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence
15 Jan, 1919[28]
Succeeded by
Geoffrey Hopwood
Preceded by
Beauchamp A. Francis
Captain of H.M.S. Curlew
Apr, 1920[29]
Succeeded by
Harold E. Sulivan
Preceded by
Reginald G. H. Henderson
Captain of H.M.S. Hawkins
Jun, 1921[30]
Succeeded by
Argentine H. Alington
Preceded by
Barry E. Domvile
Captain of H.M.S. Royal Sovereign
Nov, 1926[31] – Dec, 1927[32]
Succeeded by
Gerard A. Wells
Preceded by
Wilfred Tomkinson
Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron
15 Aug, 1932[33]
Succeeded by
Sidney R. Bailey
Preceded by
Sir Charles J. C. Little
Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
29 Oct, 1935[34]
Succeeded by
Sir Andrew B. Cunningham
Preceded by
The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Cork and Orrery
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Station
30 Jun, 1939[35]
Succeeded by
Sir Charles J. C. Little

 

Footnotes

  1. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1912. p. 27. (G. Branch No. 518, G. 4009/12). That "W. M. James" is this James is inferred.
  2. Bridgeman to Churchill. Letter of 8 December, 1912. Copies of Churchill-Bridgeman correspondence. p. 5. The National Archives. CAB 37/113. No. 135.
  3. ADM 196/46. f. 145.
  4. Duff diary entry for 11 July, 1915. National Maritime Museum. DFF/15.
  5. The National Archives. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  6. The National Archives. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  7. "Room 40 O.B. Chapter 3. The Overlords." f. 6. The National Archives. HW 3/3.
  8. The National Archives. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  9. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31176. p. 2741. 17 April, 1928.
  10. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  11. James. The Sky was Always Blue. pp. 122-123.
  12. The Sky was Always Blue. p. 129.
  13. The National Archives. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  14. "Naval and Military." The Times. Friday, 12 November, 1926. p. 21.
  15. James. The Sky was Always Blue. p. 140.
  16. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  17. The London Gazette: no. 33376. p. 2741. 17 April, 1928.
  18. The London Gazette: no. 33474. p. 1575. 5 March, 1929.
  19. James. The Sky was Always Blue. p. 153.
  20. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  21. The National Archives. ADM 196/90. f. 133.
  22. The National Archives. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  23. The National Archives. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  24. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  25. "Portsmouth By-Election." The Times. Saturday, 16 January, 1943. p. 2.
  26. "Labour Vote at Bristol." The Times. Friday, 22 January, 1943. p. 2.
  27. "Admiral M.P. for Portsmouth." Thursday, 18 February, 1943. p. 4.
  28. James Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46. f. 146.
  29. The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 756.
  30. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  31. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  32. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  33. "The Services" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 13 August, 1932. Issue 46211, col E, p. 13.
  34. "Flag Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 12 August, 1935. Issue 47140, col F, p. 10.
  35. "Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 17 February, 1939. Issue 48232, col F, p. 4.