View source for John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet

[[File:De Robeck, NPG x122196.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Admiral of the Fleet Sir John M. de Robeck, Bart., 1923.<br><small>© National Portrait Gallery, London.</small>]]

[[Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)|Admiral]] {{SIR}} '''John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet''', {{Post-Nominals|country=GBR-cats|G.C.B.m|G.C.M.G.|G.C.V.O.}}, R.N. (10 June, 1862 &ndash; 20 January, 1928) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]] during the [[First World War]].  He is perhaps most notable for his command of the [[Eastern Mediterranean Squadron (Royal Navy)|Eastern Mediterranean Squadron]] during the abortive attempts to force the Dardanelles in 1915.  He later commanded a [[Second Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|battle squadron]] in the [[Grand Fleet]], and after the war ended held the commands of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Fleets.

==Early Life & Career==
John Michael de Robeck was born at Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland, on 10 June, 1862, one of three surviving sons of the fourth Baron de Robeck. He entered the [[Royal Navy]] as a {{NavCadRN}} on 15 July, 1875, by joining the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth. He left the ship after the usual two years, or four terms, with no time allowed for conduct or study towards promotion to {{MidRN}}, suggesting his academic performance and behaviour had been poor. This is supported by a note in his papers signed by the establishment's captain, Captain [[William Graham]], entitled "Offences of M<sup><u>r</u></sup> De Robeck to Xmas 1875." In five months he had already been given four days No. 7 punishment by the Commander, i.e. "Extra drill one hour, leave stopped, go ashore one hour with Drill Sergeant, No. 4." No. 4 was "Stand on middle deck for one hour after prayers (evening)." For 15 offences he was given No. 3 punishment, "Extra drill for one hour" fifteen times. He was also reported 15 times "for want of attention in Study"!<ref>De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/1.</ref>

He was appointed to his first ship, the {{UK-1Shannon|f=t}}, Captain [[William Burley Grant|William B. Grant]], on 27 July, 1877, on the [[Pacific Station (Royal Navy)|Pacific Station]]. He was rated Midshipman on 28 July, 1878.  In July, 1881, the ''Shannon'' paid off, and from 10 July to 22 July he was borne on the books of the ''Agincourt'', flagship of the second-in-command of the [[Channel Squadron (Royal Navy)|Channel Squadron]]. After the usual three months' leave for such extended foreign service he was appointed to the {{UK-1Minotaur|f=t}} in the Channel Squadron. On 10 January, 1882, he transferred to the {{UK-Northumberland|f=t}} in the same squadron.<ref>De Robeck Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|}} ff. 127, 128.</ref>

On 29 April, 1882, de Robeck was appointed to the boys' training ship ''St. Vincent'' at Plymouth for service in the masted brig ''Martin''. From 10 July he was appointed to the ''Royal Adelaide'', flagship at Devonport. On 27 July was examined in Seamanship by Captains William Grant of the ''Royal Adelaide'' and [[Francis Mowbray Prattent|Francis M. Prattent]] of the ''Belleisle'' and Commander Alexander G. McKechnie of the ''Lion''.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 13/218.}} f. 89.</ref> Captain Grant was of course known to him. He obtained a first class certficate with 950 marks out of 1,000. From the same date he was promoted to the rank of Acting {{SubRN}}. He was then borne on the books of ''Excellent'' while studying for the rank of {{LieutRN}}. In March, 1883, he passed his so-called Navigation examination at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]], with a third class and 869 marks. In May he passed in torpedo with a third class and 147 marks, and on 3 August he passed in gunnery with a second class and 570 marks.

An appointment to the ''Agincourt'' on 9 August was cancelled, and on 14 August de Robeck returned to sea and was appointed to the gunboat ''Espoir'' on the [[China Station]]. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1885.{{Gaz|25516|4599|2 October, 1885}} From 27 July to 15 October, 1886, he was borne on the books of the receiving ship ''Victor Emanuel'' at Hong Kong, taking passage home to the United Kingdom in a mail steamer on 11 September. His records indicate that he never served in the flagship ''Audacious'' as claimed by T. A. Heathcote.<ref>Heathcote. ''British Admirals of the Fleet: 1734-1995''. p. 66.</ref> He was on foreign service leave from 16 October to 26 November, and then went on half pay. On 5 January he returned to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, for study, before being appointed to the ''Boscawen'', boys' training ship at Portland, for service in the brig ''Seaflower'' on 25 March. On 2 November he returned to the ''Agincourt'', now flagship of the Channel Squadron. He returned to the ''Britannia'' from 4 September, 1888, to 29 December, 1890, except for the period 22 July to 21 August, 1890, when he served in Torpedo Boat 86 for the annual man&oelig;uvres.

On 27 January, 1891, he was appointed to the ''Imperieuse'', flagship on the China Station, taking passage in the troopship ''Tamar'' until joining the ship on 29 March. He took watchkeeping duties in the ''Tamar'' on the way. On 27 January, 1893, he was invalided home on account of diarrhoea, and took passage in the ''Tamar''. He wasn't found fit until 15 May. He served in the ''Brilliant'' from 11 July to 24 August for the annual man&oelig;uvres, and on 25 August was again appointed to the ''Britannia'', this time as First Lieutenant, where he would remain for the next 20 months.

He was superseded in the ''Britannia'' on 19 April, 1895, at his own request. After a short period on half pay he was appointed to ''Excellent'' for a short course of gunnery on 4 May, which he passed in July with a first class and 548 marks. During the man&oelig;uvres of 1895 he served as First Lieutenant of the [[H.M.S. Indefatigable (1891)|''Indefatigable'']], before being appointed to ''Vernon'' for a short course in torpedo, which he passed in November with a first class and 316 marks. On 12 November he was appointed to the ''Cordelia'' on the [[North America and West Indies Station]] as First and Gunnery Lieutenant. In March 1896 Commodore [[Maurice Archibald Bourke|The Honourable Maurice A. Bourke]] wrote to the effect that "I cannot speak too highly of the admirable tact & judgement he displayed on occasion of riots at Basseterre [Guadeloupe] in command of landing party". In May, 1897, the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral [[James Elphinstone Erskine|James E. Erskine]], specially recommended de Robeck for promotion, and he was accordingly promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 22 June.{{Gaz|26865|3443|22 June, 1897}}

==Commander==
After the usual period of half pay upon promotion he was appointed to ''Wildfire'' for command of the {{UK-Haughty|f=t}} on 20 November, then over the next two years the destroyers {{UK-Desperate}}, {{UK-Angler}} and the {{UK-Mermaid}}, as well as commanding the [[Medway Torpedo Flotilla]]. [[Gilbert Owen Stephenson|Sir Gilbert O. Stephenson]] served under him in the ''Mermaid'' as a Sub-Lieutenant, and recalled that the destroyers used to go up and down the Thames at speed, forcing the civilian traffic to cover their hatches to stop the destroyers' wash flooding their holds. The master of a vessel with an advert for Beecham's Pills on the sail started shouting at the passing destroyer and de Robeck roared back, "Go and lick your &mdash;&mdash; mainsail and give your liver a chance."<ref>Baker. ''The Terror of Tobermory''. p. 12.</ref>

On giving up command in November, 1899, he was specifically recommended for early promotion by the Commander-in-Chief at the Nore, [[Charles Frederick Hotham|Sir Charles F. Hotham]], an opinion concurred in by the late [[First Naval Lord]], Admiral of the Fleet [[Frederick William Richards|Sir Frederick W. Richards]], who had been Commander-in-Chief in the ''Imperieuse'' at the beginning of the 1890s.

An appointment to the {{UK-Powerful|f=t}} was cancelled in November. From 7 January to 3 April, 1900, he was on sick leave. At the same time he began to try and establish what his future in the Navy would be, corresponding and meeting with Captain Bourke, now [[Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty]], and Bourke's temporary replacement, Captain [[Louis Alexander Mountbatten, First Marquess of Milford Haven|Prince Louis of Battenberg]]. According to de Robeck, Bourke informed him that the Admiralty wanted to recognise his services, to which he replied that the only way they could do that would be to promote him, "as I was already old for my standing & that I had no desire or wish to be promoted to Captain unless I was absolutely certain of becoming an Admiral on the Active List &mdash; otherwise I should prefer to have a quiet appointment to finish my time".<ref name="DRBK 3/2">De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/2.</ref> In April he was offered the command of the {{UK-Pyramus|f=t}} in the Mediterranean, and from this "I could but infer that I was to receive early promotion". He was appointed to the ''Pyramus'' on 1 June. He was superseded in command in August, 1901, at his own request, on account of "private affairs", and went on half pay from 19 August. At this point he seriously considered resigning from the Navy according to a draft letter to the Admiralty in his papers. He considered that a "deep wrong" had been done to him in not granting him early promotion to the rank of Captain, that "I have received nothing more substantial than their Lordships thanks", and that less deserving officers had been promoted over his head. Whether he ever sent this letter is unknown.<ref name="DRBK 3/2"/> Regardless, he was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1902, at the age of 39.{{Gaz|27393|3|3 January, 1902}} The average age of officers promoted to Captain in 1901 had been 41 years and 1 month. In 1902 it would be 40 years and 7 months.<ref>''Report of the Conference on the Executive Lists of the Royal Navy''. p. 21. {{TNA|ADM 1/8370/65.}}</ref>

==Captain==
After a few months on half pay on 16 July, 1902, de Robeck was appointed in command of the the ''Warrior'', depot ship for torpedo boats and destroyers at Portsmouth. In May, 1903, the Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, now Hotham, wrote "Excellent officer, thorough knowledge of Destroyer work. Great zeal & very good physique." On 30 May, 1903, he was appointed to the ''Orion'' for duty with destroyers in the Mediterranean, and on 21 January, 1904, transferred to {{UK-Leander|f=t}} for the same duty. Apparently not long afterwards he sent in a letter "re unseaworthy state of Leander". In July the Admiralty replied that they "regret he sh<sup><u>d</u></sup> have allowed himself to make reckless & unsubstantiated charges about 'Leander'", and he was directed to be more circumspect in future. In August, 1904, the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, [[Compton Edward Domvile|Sir Compton E. Domvile]], wrote that de Robeck was "a most excellent officer, thoroughly au fait at his work with destroyers & made great improvements in his time. Physically very strong. Strongly recommended for advancement". The same month he applied for his ''Leander'' letter to be reviewed, which request was refused. On 1 June he was relieved at his own request and after leave went on half pay.

In December, 1905, he again applied for a review of the ''Leander'' rebuke. The Admiralty again refused, but informed him "T.L.s [their Lordships] do not consider any stigma of the nature he refers to rests on his character but they are of opinion still that his letter of Feb. 04 was ill considered & more circumspection should have been used". Perhaps as a result of the change of government at the end of 1905, he was appointed Captain of the {{UK-Carnarvon|f=t}} on 1 August 1906. Captain [[Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, First Baron Wester Wemyss|Rosslyn E. Wemyss]] of the {{UK-Suffolk|f=t}}, wrote to his wife on 20 August "he is a very nice fellow".<ref>Wester Wemyss. ''The Life and Letters of Lord Wester Wemyss''. p. 86.</ref> The 1907 performance of the ship's 6-inch guns was poor enough to warrant the Admiralty writing to him in February, 1908 that "T.L. look for considerable improvement in the future." By this time he had been appointed in command of the battleship {{UK-Dominion}} on 25 January, 1908, in the [[Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Channel Fleet]]. On giving up command of the fleet in March, 1909, the Commander-in-Chief, [[Charles William de la Poer Beresford, First Baron Beresford|Lord Charles Beresford]], reported:

<blockquote>No defect, very high qualifications in both zeal and judgment. Strongly recommended for advancement as one of the best officers in the Service. Splendid physique. A brilliant officer with great all round knowledge of the Service, exceptionally good in the management and command of T. flotillas. Has all the qualifications of an Admiral, and is certain to make a brilliant Commander-in-Chief.</blockquote>

After two years in the ship he was superseded in command on 25 January, 1910. Vice-Admiral [[Archibald Berkeley Milne, Second Baronet|Sir A. Berkley Milne, Bart.]], commanding the {{UK-BS|2}} of the [[Home Fleet (Royal Navy)|Home Fleet]] (as the Channel Fleet had become), reported "A very zealous & efficient officer. Handles his ship very well. Ship in first rate order. Very reliable. Will make a very good Flag Officer in command of a squadron."

In early 1910 he received what he considered to be verbal assurances from [[Ernest Charles Thomas Troubridge|Ernest C. T. Troubridge]], Private Secretary to the First Lord, now [[Reginald McKenna]], that he would be appointed as Commodore of the [[Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth]]. In the event the appointment went to [[Alexander Ludovic Duff|Alexander L. Duff]] in October, which prompted yet another paper trail of pique, this time at being "passed over". He immediately requested to be appointed to courses, telling Admiral Milne, that it was "more to prevent him [McKenna] saying that I had no desire to serve".<ref>De Robeck to Milne, copy of letter of 13 September, 1910. De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/28. De Robeck to Troubridge, copy of letter of 29 August, 1910. De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/29. De Robeck to Troubridge, copy of letter of 13 September, 1910. De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/29.</ref> In an attempt to mollify him, Troubridge offered to recommend him for "The next good appointment for a senior Captain", [[Inspecting Captain of Boys' Training Ships]] which would fall vacant on [[Herbert Whitmore Savory|Herbert W. Savory]]'s promotion to Rear-Admiral early the following year.<ref>Troubridge to de Robeck, letter of 6 September, 1910. De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/29.</ref> Eventually de Robeck agreed, and on 15 February, 1911, he took up the appointment, after taking gunnery, torpedo, and navigation courses at Portsmouth at the end of 1910. As Inspecting Captain he also had command of the training ship ''Impregnable''. In April the outgoing Commander-in-Chief, [[Wilmot Hawkesworth Fawkes|Sir Wilmot H. Fawkes]], reported that de Robeck was "Physically strong. Has shown a good grasp of the work of the training service in the short time he has served here. Strongly recommended for advancement."

==Flag Rank==
De Robeck was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 1 December, 1911, vice Savory.{{Gaz|28562|9446|15 December, 1911}} On 21 December he was superseded in charge of the boys' training ships. He returned to half pay until 15 March, 1912, when he was appointed to the new appointment of [[Admiral of Patrols]], with charge of four patrol flotillas on the East Coast. He asked Captain [[Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet|Walter H. Cowan]] to go as his Assistant, who later recalled:

<blockquote>It meant working from the Admiralty and a lot of travelling. What we had to do was, to organise for war, the defence of the whole East Coast from Balta Sound in the Shetlands down to the Thames Estuary, with a force of Destroyers and Submarines and to settle bases for them, all up that line and from time to time, go out to sea with them to drill them up.<br>We had an old Cruiser for Flagship 'St. George' I think it was late Flagship at the Cape [of Good Hope] in the days when I was in the 'Barrosa' but we were very seldom in her except when John de Robeck wanted to give a dinner-party. We soon learnt to combine business with pleasure - we were both very fond of playing gold and hunting the FOX.<br>There was golf almost everywhere we went, especially Edinburgh way where our duties took us a good deal. Barnton, Bruntisfield, Gullane, North Berwick, Dumfermline [sic] and even once, we practised on May Island where the lighthouse keepers had a miniature course and a challenge cup.<br>The hunting took rather more arranging, John de Robeck had his horses at Farnborough near Banbury, and mine were at Kineton and a typical example of how, now and then we managed it was from Grimsby. We were out half the night exercising our Destroyers there, then landed and caught the train for Banbury where our horses met us; got there in time for breakfast and to change our clothes at the 'White Lion', hunted that day and then back to London in time for dinner and working at the Admiralty the next morning. I think on the whole we spent more time travelling about and seafaring than in London, and it was a good sort of 'full up' life and no one had any say about our movements. John de Robeck had superlatively good, heavy weight horses, he rode about 17 stone and often I had the riding of them when he was otherwise engaged.<ref>Cowan. ''The Wheel of Fortune''. pp. 252-253.</ref></blockquote>

He was superseded as Admiral of Patrols on 30 April, 1914, and went on half pay. On 13 July he hoisted his flag in the {{UK-Aboukir|f=t}} in command of the [[Eighth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Eighth Cruiser Squadron]] for the Test Mobilisation. He struck his flag at Chatham on 26 July, 1914.{{NMI|Monday, 27 July, 1914.  Issue '''40586''', col B, p. 4}}

==Great War==
He hoisted his flag in the {{UK-Amphitrite|f=t}} as Rear-Admiral Commanding [[Cruiser Force I]] from 1 August. According to one service record he served in {{UK-Argonaut|f=t}} from 27 July to 8 September, apart from a period from 2 to 12 August in the {{UK-Vindictive|f=t}}. Then ''Amphitrite'' from 8 September to 18 September, ''Argonaut'' from 19 September to 19 October, ''Amphitrite'' again from 20 October to 19 December apart from two days in {{UK-Warrior|f=t}} on 18 and 19 November. That he changed flagship a lot was commented upon by Vice-Admiral [[Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee]], who wrote to him on 18 November, "I have admired very much the way you have changed your Flag, it must have been a great inconvenience".<ref>Sturdee to de Robeck. Letter of 18 November, 1914. De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/34.</ref>

On 7 February, 1915, de Robeck was appointed Rear-Admiral Second-in-Command of the [[Eastern Mediterranean Squadron (Royal Navy)|Eastern Mediterranean Squadron]] off the Dardanelles, with his flag in the {{UK-Vengeance|f=t}}.

On 1 January, 1916, he was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.).{{GazSup|29423|80|31 December, 1915}}

[[File:Goodenough de Robeck.jpg|thumb|300px|right|De Robeck and his second-in-command in the Second Battle Squadron, Rear-Admiral [[William Edmund Goodenough|William E. Goodenough]].]]

He was placed in command of the {{UK-BS|2}} on 3 December, 1916.

He was confirmed in the rank of Vice-Admiral on 17 May, 1917, vice [[Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|Sturdee]].{{Gaz|30084|4942|22 May, 1917}}

He was chastised for sending a telegram protesting the appointment of his navigating Cdr. [[John Sharpey Schäfer|Schäfer]] to the {{UK-Gaillardia|f=t}} in November 1917.<ref>De Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|}} f. 285.</ref>

==Post-War & Retirement==
On 1 January, 1919, de Robeck was appointed an Additional Member of the First Class, or Knight Grand Cross, of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (G.C.M.G.).{{GazSup|31099|109|1 January, 1919}} He struck his flag in the Second Battle Squadron on 22 March. On 26 July he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, and on 26 August was also appointed High Commissioner at Constantinople. On 29 December he was granted a Baronetcy, of Naas, in the County of Kildare.{{Gaz|31708|15988|30 December, 1919}} On 24 March, 1920, he was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}}, vice [[William Lowther Grant|Grant]],{{Gaz|3186|4474|16 April, 1920}} and on 17 November he relinquished his position as High Commissioner. He 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.) on 1 January, 1921.{{GazSup|32178|4|1 January, 1921}}

He gave up command of the Mediterranean on 7 April, 1922. On 3 July he married Hilda Lockhart, widow of Colonel Sir Simon Macdonald Lockhart, Bart.<ref>"Marriage" (Marriages).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 4 July, 1922.  Issue '''43074''', col D, p. 11.</ref> On 15 August he was appointed [[Atlantic Fleet (Royal Navy)|Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet]]. His love of hunting nearly contributed to his premature demise. On 24 August, 1923, he was on his way home to Lee Castle at Lanark from a shooting party near Carnwath, when his car skidded. De Robeck was found by his host with a severe head injury. The injury was so bad that he wasn't fit for command in early November.<ref>"Admiral de Robeck" (News).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 25 August, 1923.  Issue '''43429''', col F, p. 8.<br>"The Navy and the Empire" (News).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 3 November, 1923.  Issue '''43489''', col F, p. 13.</ref>

On 15 August, 1924, he struck his flag for the last time. On the same day he was appointed a Knight Grand Cross in the Royal Victorian Order.

He was advanced to the rank of {{FleetRN}} on 24 November, 1925, vice [[Cecil Burney, First Baronet|Burney]].{{Gaz|33110|7950|1 December, 1925}}  He died in London on 20 January, 1928 at his residence, 5 Southwick Crescent, London.<ref>De Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|}} ff. 285.</ref>

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*"Sir John de Robeck" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Saturday, 21 January, 1928.  Issue '''44796''', col B, p. 12.
*Baker, Richard (2002). ''The Terror of Tobermory: An informal biography of Vice-Admiral Sir Gilbert Stephenson, KBE, CB, CMG''. Edinburgh: Birlinn Limited.
*{{WesterWemyssLife}}
{{refend}}

==Papers==
{{refbegin}}
*[http://janus.lib.cam.ac.uk/db/node.xsp?id=EAD/GBR/0014/DRBK Papers in the possession of Churchill College, Cambridge.]
{{refend}}

==Service Records==
{{refbegin}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/87/135.|D8115362}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|D8112172}}
*{{TNA|ADM 196/20/347.|D7590592}}
{{refend}}


<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 86 (1889)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 86]]'''<br>22 Jul, 1890<ref>"Naval Intelligence".  ''The Times''.  Friday, 19 July, 1890.  Issue '''33068''', col C, p. 12.</ref> &ndash; 21 Aug, 1890<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/20.}} f. 346.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Derwent Allen|John D. Allen]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Fane De Salis|William F. De Salis]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Haughty (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Haughty'']]'''<br>20 Nov, 1897<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Marcus Rowley Hill|Marcus R. Hill]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Angler (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Angler'']]'''<br>20 Nov, 1897{{NLOct98|p. 224}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Tibbits|Charles Tibbits]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Fane De Salis|William F. De Salis]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Desperate (1896)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Desperate'']]'''<br>before 9 Mar, 1898{{NMI|8 Oct. 1897, p. 9}} &ndash; 1898|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cuthbert Godfrey Chapman|Cuthbert G. Chapman]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mermaid (1898)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mermaid'']]'''<br>? &ndash; 28 Nov, 1899<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Mark Edward Frederic Kerr|Mark E. F. Kerr]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.S. Pyramus (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Pyramus'']]'''<br>1 Jun, 1900<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 64/128.</ref>{{NLJan01|p. 296}} &ndash; 1901{{NLJan01|p. 296}}<ref>Grant Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.|}} f. 31.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Alfred Ernest Albert Grant|Alfred E. A. Grant]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Stanley Adeane|Edward S. Adeane]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Warrior (1860)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Warrior'']]'''<br>16 Jul, 1902<ref>De Robeck Service Record ADM 196/42.</ref> &ndash; 30 May, 1903<ref>De Robeck Service Record ADM 196/42.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Fogarty Fegen|Frederick F. Fegen]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Leander (1882)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Leander'']]'''<br>21 Jan, 1904<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 64/128.</ref> &ndash; 1 Jun, 1904<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}}  f. 64/128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Seymour Elphinstone Erskine|Seymour E. Erskine]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George John Scott Warrender, Seventh Baronet|Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart.]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Carnarvon (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Carnarvon'']]'''<br>1 Aug, 1906{{NLJan08|p. 291}}<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref> &ndash; 25 Jan, 1908<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert John Prendergast|Robert J. Prendergast]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Thomas Stuart|Arthur T. Stuart]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Dominion (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Dominion'']]'''<br>25 Jan, 1908{{NLJan10|p. 301}}<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref> &ndash; 25 Jan, 1910<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Morgan Singer|Morgan Singer]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert Whitmore Savory|Herbert W. Savory]]'''|'''[[Training Service (Royal Navy)|Inspecting Captain of Boys' Training Ships]]'''<br>15 Feb, 1911<ref>"Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 11 January, 1911.  Issue '''39496''', col B, p. 8.</ref> &ndash; 21 Dec, 1911<ref>de Robeck service record. {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edmund Radcliffe Pears|Edmund R. Pears]]'''<br><small>as '''Inspecting Captain of Boys' Training Establishments'''</small>}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Appointment'''|'''[[Admiral of Patrols|Admiral of Patrols]]'''<br>8 Apr, 1912<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref> &ndash; 1 May, 1914<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Alexander Ballard|George A. Ballard]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[Eighth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Eighth Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>26 Jul, 1914<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 27 July, 1914.  Issue '''40586''', col B, p. 4.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[Ninth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Cruiser Force I]]'''<br>1 Aug, 1914{{SMNLSep14|p. 5}} &ndash; 7 Feb, 1915<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Archibald Gordon Henry Wilson Moore|Sir A. Gordon H. W. Moore]]'''<br><small>as '''Rear-Admiral Commanding, Ninth Cruiser Squadron'''</small>}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Sackville Hamilton Carden|Sackville H. Carden]]'''|'''[[Eastern Mediterranean Squadron (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral Commanding, Eastern Mediterranean Squadron]]'''<br>17 Mar, 1915{{UKCeased|f. 32}} &ndash; 19 Jun, 1916<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cecil Fiennes Thursby|Sir Cecil F. Thursby]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Eden Bradford|Sir Edward E. Bradford]]'''|'''[[Third Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third Battle Squadron]]'''<br>19 Jul, 1916{{UKCeased|p. 4}} &ndash; 1 Dec, 1916<ref>De Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|}} f. 285.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Herbert Leopold Heath|Sir Herbert L. Heath]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram|Sir T. H. Martyn Jerram]]'''|'''[[Second Battle Squadron (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral Commanding, Second Battle Squadron]]'''<br>3 Dec, 1916{{UKCeased|f. 3}} &ndash; 22 Mar, 1919<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 128.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Somerset Arthur Gough-Calthorpe|The Hon. Sir Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe]]'''|'''[[Mediterranean Station|Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station]]'''<br>26 Jul, 1919{{UKCeased|p. 32}} &ndash; 15 May, 1922<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 285.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Osmond de Beauvoir Brock|Sir Osmond de B. Brock]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Edward Madden, First Baronet|Sir Charles E. Madden]]'''|'''[[Atlantic Fleet (Royal Navy)|Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet]]'''<br>15 Aug, 1922<ref>"Flag Command Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 21 December, 1921.  Issue '''42909''', col D, p. 14.</ref> &ndash; 15 Aug, 1924<ref>de Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42.}} f. 285.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Francis Oliver|Sir Henry F. Oliver]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:De Robeck, John Michael}}

{{CatPerson|UK|1862|1928}}
{{CatBritannia|July, 1875}}
{{CatAdmOfTheFleet|UK}}
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George]]
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]]
{{CatRN}}