Gerard Henry Uctred Noel

Admiral of the Fleet SIR Gerard Henry Uctred Noel, G.C.B., K.C.M.G., Royal Navy (5 March, 1845 – 23 May, 1918) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Noel was appointed to H.M.S. Nile in command on 30 June, 1891.

According to his Flag Captain, The Hon. Maurice Bourke, Tryon once pointed to Noel's ship and said, "Oh I wish they were all like that!"

Allegedly, when his Commander, Reginald C. Prothero, wished him a "Good morning, sir" when the ship was weighing anchor at three o'clock one morning, Noel replied, "Captain Prothero, this is no time for frivolous compliments."

Noel was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 8 May, 1896, vice Fisher.

Flag Rank

Noel sent perhaps the most entertaining—and threatening—signal in British Naval History:

If you had reason to find fault with my orders, you should have made an appropriate signal to me, not vented your views on Theseus. I am on my way to see you in my frock coat and sword.

Noel was appointed Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves on 21 May, 1900, in succession to Vice-Admiral Sir Compton E. Domvile.

Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle, who had served under Noel as a Midshipman in Rover, later recalled of him:

He was a fine seaman, and had, as a younger man, shown his cultivated and progressive mentality by publishing an essay which was much discussed, the subject being naval tactics under the title, "The Gun, Ram and Torpedo". He had, unfortunately, a violent temper, was a stern disciplinarian, and was very difficult to please.

On 5 March, 1915, Noel was placed on the Retired List.

Bibliography

• "Death of Sir Gerard Noel" (Obituaries). The Times. Friday, 24 May, 1918. Issue 41798, col B, pg. 8.
• Template:BibFremantleMyNavalCareer
• Template:BibGordonRules2005

Papers

• Papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/37.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/15.

Naval Offices
Preceded by Lord Walter Kerr	Junior Naval Lord 1893 – 1898	Succeeded by Arthur W. Moore
Preceded by Robert Hastings Harris	Second-in-Command, Mediterranean 1898 – 1900	Succeeded by Lord Charles Beresford
Preceded by Sir Compton E. Domvile	Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves 1900 – 1903	Succeeded by Position Abolished
Preceded by Sir Cyprian A. G. Bridge	Commander-in-Chief on the China Station 1904 – 1906	Succeeded by Sir Arthur W. Moore
Preceded by Sir Hugo L. Pearson	Commander-in-Chief at the Nore 1907 – 1908	Succeeded by Charles C. Drury