William Frederic Wake-Walker

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.

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

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.

Post-War

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

In 1922 he was thanked for his zeal and contributions in developing the W torpedo and for creating a modified Torpedo Control Disc. 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

See Also

• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Wilfred N. Custance	Captain of H.M.S. Castor 17 May, 1929 – 18 Jul, 1930	Succeeded by Henry J. Haynes
Preceded by Lachlan D. I. MacKinnon	Deputy Director of Training and Staff Duties 1 Aug, 1930 – 22 Aug, 1932	Succeeded by Frederic N. Attwood
Preceded by Ernest J. Spooner	Captain of H.M.S. Dragon 8 Sep, 1932 – Aug, 1935	Succeeded by Frederick R. M. Johnson
Preceded by William B. Mackenzie	Director of Torpedoes and Mining 29 Oct, 1935 – 3 Jan, 1938	Succeeded by Gervase B. Middleton
Preceded by Roderick B. T. Miles	Captain of H.M.S. Revenge 3 Jan, 1938 – 30 Dec, 1938	Succeeded by Guy L'E. M. Sturges
Preceded by Rosslyn E. Wemyss	Rear-Admiral Commanding, Twelfth Cruiser Squadron 9 Sep, 1939 – 28 Oct, 1939	Succeeded by Cecil H. J. Harcourt
Preceded by John H. D. Cunningham as Vice-Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron	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