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[[Admiral of the Fleet]] {{SIR}} '''George Astley Callaghan''', G.C.B., G.C.V.O., Royal Navy (21 December, 1852 – 23 November, 1920) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].
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[[File:Callaghan, NPG x65163.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Admiral of the Fleet Sir George A. Callaghan, 1918.<br><small>© National Portrait Gallery, London.</small>]]
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[[Admiral of the Fleet]] {{SIR}} '''George Astley Callaghan''', {{Post-Nominals|country=GBR-cats|G.C.B.m|G.C.V.O.}}, R.N. (21 December, 1852 &ndash; 23 November, 1920) was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]].  He commanded the [[Home Fleets (Royal Navy)|main British fleet]] from 1911 until being relieved on the eve of the Great War in 1914. As the Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful British fleet yet assembled in "home waters", Callaghan was arguably as important an influence on Royal Navy war planning in the last years of peace as the Sea Lords.
  
 
==Early Life & Career==
 
==Early Life & Career==
George Astley Callaghan was born in London 21 December 1852, the third son of Captain Frederic Marcus Callaghan, J.P., of Lotabeg, co. Cork, by his wife, Georgina Frances, daughter of Captain James Hodgson, of the East India Company's service.  He entered the [[Royal Navy]] in 23 January, 1866, being appointed to the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|H.M.S. ''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth as a {{NavCadRN}}.  He left ''Britannia'' on 16 April, 1877, with a Second Class Certificate and obtained six months' sea time. He was appointed to the ironclad ''Caledonia'' on 17 April and to the battleship ''Lord Warden'' on 26 May.  On 16 October he was rated {{MidRN}}.  He remained in ''Lord Warden'' until 25 September, 1870, when he was appointed to the corvette ''Wolverine''.  On 15 April, 1872, he was promoted Acting {{SubRN}}, having passed his seamanship examination for the rank of {{LieutRN}}.  He returned home and was borne on the books of [[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|''Excellent'']] from 16 May, 1874, to 23 April, 1875, while studying for and taking the various examinations for the rank of Lieutenant.<ref>ADM 196/18.  f. 380.</ref> He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 April, 1875.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/24204/pages/2342 no. 24204.  p. 2342.]  30 April, 1875.</ref> From 24 April to 3 May he was appointed to ''Royal Adelaide'' at Devonport before going on half pay.  His first appointment as lieutenant was to the ''Ruby'', East Indies station. During this commission one of the ship's boats capsized in the Irrawady, and Callaghan earned the commendation of the Admiralty by his gallant behaviour, which saved the lives of several of the crew. In 1880 he returned home in order to qualify in gunnery, and was afterwards on the staff of the port gunnery schools. In 1885 he was again appointed to the ''Ruby'', this time as first and gunnery lieutenant on the South-East coast of America station. He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 31 December, 1887,<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/25772/pages/15 no. 25772.  p. 15.]  3 January, 1888.</ref> and in 1888 was appointed to the ''Bellerophon'', the flagship on the North American station, in which ship he returned home in 1892. In the same year he was given the command of the ''Alacrity'', yacht of the commander-in-chief, China station. On 1 January, 1894, he was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}}.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26471/pages/7580 no. 26471.  p. 7580.]  29 December, 1893.</ref>
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George Astley Callaghan was born in London 21 December 1852, the third son of Captain Frederic Marcus Callaghan, J.P., of Lotabeg, co. Cork, by his wife, Georgina Frances, daughter of Captain James Hodgson, of the East India Company's service.  He entered the [[Royal Navy]] in 23 January, 1866, being appointed to the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|H.M.S. ''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth as a {{NavCadRN}}.  He left ''Britannia'' on 16 April, 1877, with a Second Class Certificate and obtained six months' sea time.
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He was appointed to the ironclad ''Caledonia'' on 17 April and to the battleship ''Lord Warden'' on 26 May.  On 16 October he was rated {{MidRN}}.  He remained in ''Lord Warden'' until 25 September, 1870, when he was appointed to the corvette ''Wolverine''.  On 15 April, 1872, he was promoted to the rank of Acting {{SubRN}}, having passed his seamanship examination for the rank of {{LieutRN}}.  He returned home and was borne on the books of [[H.M.S. Excellent (Gunnery Training School)|''Excellent'']] from 16 May, 1874, to 23 April, 1875, while studying for and taking the various examinations for the rank of Lieutenant.<ref>ADM 196/18.  f. 380.</ref>
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He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 April, 1875.{{Gaz|24204|2342|30 April, 1875}} From 24 April to 3 May he was appointed to ''Royal Adelaide'' at Devonport before going on half pay.  From 2 December, 1876, to 14 March, 1877, he was appointed to ''Excellent'' for a short course in gunnery, and for a torpedo course in ''Vernon'' from 15 March to 27 April.  He was appointed to ''Ruby'' on the East Indies station on 14 June. During this commission one of the ship's boats capsized in the Irrawady, and Callaghan earned the commendation of the Admiralty by his gallant behaviour, which saved the lives of several of the crew.
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He qualified as an Interpreter in Hindustani.
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His son, [[Cyril Callaghan]], whom would also become a Royal Navy officer in the Great War, was born on 16 June, 1881.
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On 30 September he was appointed to ''Excellent'' to qualify in gunnery duties.  He completed the course on 31 May, 1883, and on 9 June went on half pay.  On 18 July he was appointed to ''Cambridge'' at Devonport as Junior Staff Officer.  He left ''Cambridge'' on 3 September, 1884, and on 16 September was appointed to ''Duncan'', additional, for ''Trent'', for gunnery duties at the naval barracks. On 16 April, 1885, he was again appointed to the ''Ruby'', this time as first and gunnery lieutenant on the South-East coast of America station. He was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 31 December, 1887,{{Gaz|25772|15|3 January, 1888}} and in 1888 was appointed to the ''Bellerophon'', the flagship on the North American station, in which ship he returned home in 1892. In the same year he was given the command of the ''Alacrity'', yacht of the commander-in-chief, China station.
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On 1 January, 1894, he was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}}.{{Gaz|26471|7580|29 December, 1893}}
  
 
==Captain==
 
==Captain==
He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Division, or Companion, of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 9 November, 1900, "in recognition of services rendered during the recent disturbance in China."<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27245/pages/6853 no. 27245.  p. 6853.]  9 November, 1900.</ref>
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He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Division, or Companion, of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 9 November, 1900, "in recognition of services rendered during the recent disturbance in China."{{Gaz|27245|6853|9 November, 1900}}
  
He was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King Edward VII on 25 April, 1904, vice [[Archibald Berkeley Milne, Second Baronet|Milne]].<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27676/pages/3081 no. 27676.  p. 3081.]  13 May, 1904.</ref>
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He was appointed a [[Naval Aide-de-Camp]] to King Edward VII on 25 April, 1904, vice [[Archibald Berkeley Milne, Second Baronet|Milne]].{{Gaz|27676|3081|13 May, 1904}}
  
He was appointed to command the battleship [[H.M.S. Prince of Wales (1902)|''Prince of Wales'']] on 18 May, 1904.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 16 May, 1904.  Issue '''37395''', col A, pg. 7.</ref>
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He assumed command of the {{UK-Edgar|f=t}} on 16 July, 1901.<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38}}.  f. 202.</ref>
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He was appointed in command the battleship {{UK-Caesar}} on 21 December, 1901.<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}.  f. 535.</ref>
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He was appointed to command the {{UK-PrinceOfWales|f=t}} on 18 May, 1904.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 16 May, 1904.  Issue '''37395''', col A, p. 7.</ref>
  
 
==Flag Rank==
 
==Flag Rank==
Callaghan was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 29 June, 1905.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27814/pages/4700 no. 27814.  p. 4700.]  7 July, 1905.</ref>
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Callaghan was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 29 June, 1905.{{Gaz|27814|4700|7 July, 1905}}
  
 
He was appointed Rear-Admiral in the [[Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Channel Fleet]] on 16 November, 1906.
 
He was appointed Rear-Admiral in the [[Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Channel Fleet]] on 16 November, 1906.
  
Callaghan was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the [[Fifth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Fifth Cruiser Squadron]] on 5 April, 1907,
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Callaghan was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the [[Fifth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Fifth Cruiser Squadron]] on 5 April, 1907, thus beginning an association with the Home Fleet which continue almost without interruption until the outbreak of the First World War.
  
On the occasion of the King's inspection of the Home Fleet Callaghan was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 3 August, 1907.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28048/pages/5390 no. 28048.  p. 5390.]  6 August, 1907.</ref>
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On the occasion of the King's inspection of the Home Fleet Callaghan was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 3 August, 1907.{{Gaz|28048|5390|6 August, 1907}}
  
 
He struck his flag in [[H.M.S. Shannon (1906)|''Shannon'']] as Rear-Admiral Commanding in the morning of 16 November, 1908.  On 27 November he was appointed Second-in-Command in the [[Mediterranean Station|Mediterranean]].
 
He struck his flag in [[H.M.S. Shannon (1906)|''Shannon'']] as Rear-Admiral Commanding in the morning of 16 November, 1908.  On 27 November he was appointed Second-in-Command in the [[Mediterranean Station|Mediterranean]].
  
On the occasion of the visit of the King to Malta Callaghan was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (K.C.V.O.) on 24 April, 1909.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28246/pages/3277 no. 28246.  p. 3277.]  30 April, 1909.</ref>
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On the occasion of the visit of the King to Malta Callaghan was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (K.C.V.O.) on 24 April, 1909.{{Gaz|28246|3277|30 April, 1909}}
  
Callaghan was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 27 April, 1910, vice [[Harry Seawell Frank Niblett|Niblett]].<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28362/pages/3063 no. 28362.  p. 3063.]  3 May, 1910.</ref> He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 24 June.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28388/supplements/4475 (Supplement) no. 28388.  p. 4475.]  24 June, 1910.</ref> He struck his flag in ''Duncan'' as Second-in-Command, Mediterranean, on 8 August, and was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding the Second Division of the Home Fleet on 9 August.<ref>ADM 196/38.  f. 202.</ref>
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Callaghan was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}} on 27 April, 1910, vice [[Harry Seawell Frank Niblett|Niblett]].{{Gaz|28362|3063|3 May, 1910}} He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 24 June.{{GazSup|28388|4475|24 June, 1910}} He struck his flag in ''Duncan'' as Second-in-Command, Mediterranean, on 8 August, and was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding the Second Division of the Home Fleet on 9 August.<ref>ADM 196/38.  f. 202.</ref>
  
On 24 July, 1911 he transferred his flag to the dreadnought [[H.M.S. Hercules (1910)|''Hercules'']].<ref>"Exchange of Flagships" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 27 June, 1911.  Issue '''39622''', col G, pg. 16.</ref>
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On 24 July, 1911 he transferred his flag to the dreadnought [[H.M.S. Hercules (1910)|''Hercules'']].<ref>"Exchange of Flagships" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 27 June, 1911.  Issue '''39622''', col G, p. 16.</ref>
  
 
==Commander-in-Chief==
 
==Commander-in-Chief==
The new [[First Lord of the Admiralty]], [[Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill|Winston S. Churchill]], wrote to the Prime Minister, Herbert Asquith, on 16 November, 1911, about succeeding Sir Francis Bridgeman, who was to leave the Home Fleet to become First Sea Lord:
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The new [[First Lord of the Admiralty]], [[Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill|Winston S. Churchill]], wrote to the Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, on 16 November, 1911, about succeeding Sir Francis Bridgeman, who was to leave the Home Fleet to become First Sea Lord:
  
 
<blockquote>The Home Fleet, wh [which] becomes vacant, has not, unhappily, any candidate of clear & pre-eminent qualifications.  Admiral Jellicoe is not yet sufficiently practised in the handling of fleets or sufficiently in command of the confidence of the Sea Service, to justify what wd seemingly be a vy startling promotion.  I shall therefore be taking the perfectly straightforward & unexceptionable course in placing Vice-Admiral Sir George Callaghan, the present 2nd in command, who has been in almost daily control of the largest manoevres in the Home Fleet, and who has previously been second in command in the Mediterranean, in the place of Sir F. Bridgeman.  Admiral Sir John Jellicoe will be his 2nd in command, & we will thus be able to see what fitness he will develop for the succession.<ref>Churchill.  ''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II.  Part 2''.  p. 1336.</ref></blockquote>
 
<blockquote>The Home Fleet, wh [which] becomes vacant, has not, unhappily, any candidate of clear & pre-eminent qualifications.  Admiral Jellicoe is not yet sufficiently practised in the handling of fleets or sufficiently in command of the confidence of the Sea Service, to justify what wd seemingly be a vy startling promotion.  I shall therefore be taking the perfectly straightforward & unexceptionable course in placing Vice-Admiral Sir George Callaghan, the present 2nd in command, who has been in almost daily control of the largest manoevres in the Home Fleet, and who has previously been second in command in the Mediterranean, in the place of Sir F. Bridgeman.  Admiral Sir John Jellicoe will be his 2nd in command, & we will thus be able to see what fitness he will develop for the succession.<ref>Churchill.  ''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II.  Part 2''.  p. 1336.</ref></blockquote>
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Churchill wrote to offer the post to Callaghan on 20 November. In reply on 22 November, Callaghan wrote that "In accepting your very flattering offer I need not assure you that it will be my earnest endeavour to carry out the important duties to the best of my ability."<ref>Callaghan to Churchill, 22 November 1911, CHAR 13/1, f. 28, Chartwell MSS, Churchill Archive Centre, Churchill College.</ref> Callaghan was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet on 5 December with the rank of Acting {{AdmRN}}.  He assumed command on the same day.<ref>ADM 196/38.  f. 202.</ref>
 
Churchill wrote to offer the post to Callaghan on 20 November. In reply on 22 November, Callaghan wrote that "In accepting your very flattering offer I need not assure you that it will be my earnest endeavour to carry out the important duties to the best of my ability."<ref>Callaghan to Churchill, 22 November 1911, CHAR 13/1, f. 28, Chartwell MSS, Churchill Archive Centre, Churchill College.</ref> Callaghan was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet on 5 December with the rank of Acting {{AdmRN}}.  He assumed command on the same day.<ref>ADM 196/38.  f. 202.</ref>
  
Visiting Callaghan at Portland, Churchill noted in a letter to his wife on 24 March, 1912: "They are vy simple these sailors; but this one &mdash; Callaghan &mdash; is sensible."<ref>Churchill.  ''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II.  Part 2.  p. 1529.</ref>  He was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (G.C.V.O.) on 11 May.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28607/pages/3475 no. 28607. p. 3475.]  14 May, 1912.</ref>
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Andrew Gordon, with his usual mordancy, describes Callaghan as "an intriguing figure of whom little is known, but who stands apart from his contemporaries in that he appears to have eschewed both technocracy and slavish centralization".<ref>Gordon. p. 382.</ref>  By all accounts, Callaghan was a conscientious and practical-minded Commander-in-Chief who was receptive to new ideas and vigorous in getting his views heard by the Admiralty.  Certainly he developed a positive reputation within months.  Visiting Callaghan at Portland, Churchill noted in a letter to his wife on 24 March, 1912: "They are vy simple these sailors; but this one &mdash; Callaghan &mdash; is sensible."<ref>Churchill.  ''Winston S. Churchill.  Companion Volume II.'' Part 2.  p. 1529.</ref>  He was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (G.C.V.O.) on 11 May.{{Gaz|28607|3475|14 May, 1912}}
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In the [[Annual Manoeuvres of 1912]], Callaghan commanded the smaller Red Force, which played the part of an attacker intent on landing troops at an unfortified east coast port. The larger defending Blue Force was commanded by [[Prince Louis of Battenberg]].{{ToL|The Naval Manoeuvres|Monday, July 15, 1912, Issue 39951, p.8}}
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He was confirmed in the rank of Admiral on 17 May, 1913.{{Gaz|28722|3753|27 May, 1913}}
  
He was confirmed in the rank of Admiral on 17 May, 1913.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28722/pages/3753 no. 28722.  p. 3753.]  27 May, 1913.</ref>
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In his memoirs, Admiral [[Sydney Robert Fremantle|Sir Sydney Fremantle]] described something of Callaghan's character as Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets:
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<blockquote>He was no brilliant innovator, he had not graduated in the scientific branches of the service, and would not have pretended to judge the merits of the details of continuous advances in material of all descriptions except by the results which they achieved in practice.<ref>Fremantle. p. 163.</ref></blockquote>
  
 
Although he never knew Callaghan closely, Admiral [[Reginald Aylmer Ranfurly Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax|The Hon. Sir Reginald A. R. P.-E.-E.-Drax]] (a Commander on the staff of the [[First Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|First Battle Cruiser Squadron]] from 1913) later recalled him to [[Arthur Marder (Naval Historian)|Arthur Marder]] as being "of the old sea-dog type like [[Charles William de la Poer Beresford, First Baron Beresford|Charlie Beresford]] and [[Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|A.K. Wilson]]."<ref>Notes on Marder's draft of chapter 14 of ''From the Dreadnought to Scapa Flow'', 11 November 1959, DRAX 6/18, Drax MSS., Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College.</ref>
 
Although he never knew Callaghan closely, Admiral [[Reginald Aylmer Ranfurly Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax|The Hon. Sir Reginald A. R. P.-E.-E.-Drax]] (a Commander on the staff of the [[First Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|First Battle Cruiser Squadron]] from 1913) later recalled him to [[Arthur Marder (Naval Historian)|Arthur Marder]] as being "of the old sea-dog type like [[Charles William de la Poer Beresford, First Baron Beresford|Charlie Beresford]] and [[Arthur Knyvet Wilson, Third Baronet|A.K. Wilson]]."<ref>Notes on Marder's draft of chapter 14 of ''From the Dreadnought to Scapa Flow'', 11 November 1959, DRAX 6/18, Drax MSS., Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College.</ref>
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An amusing anecdote of an incident during the Home Fleet's 1914 Spring Cruise involving Callaghan and his Captain of the Fleet, [[Allan Frederic Everett|Allan Everett]], comes from Vice-Admiral [[Humphrey Hugh Smith]]. It can perhaps be taken as confirming Drax's "old sea-dog" characterization:
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<blockquote>About half-past two in the middle watch the Captain of the Fleet came out of the fleet flagship's chart-house and leaned wearily against the rails of the fore bridge.  Suddenly the sound of a merrily whistled tune struck him in the ear.  This sound seemed to come up from down below the fore bridge.  The Captain of the Fleet peered down into the inky blackness benath him and shouted out: "Dry up, you noisy son of a bitch!"  The whistling promptly ceased.  A few minutes later the Commander-in-Chief came up on to the fore bridge, stood alongside the Captain of the Fleet, and discussed the general situation.  After a while he remarked:  "I am sorry, Captain of the Fleet, that you do not like music."  "But I am very fond of music, sir," protested the Captain of the Fleet.  "Well, if you are really fond of music," continued the Commander-in-Chief, "you would not have been so rude to me just now when I was trying to whistle."<ref>Smith.  pp. 257-258.</ref></blockquote>
  
 
==Supersession and the Great War==
 
==Supersession and the Great War==
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:Yrs Very Sincerely,
 
:Yrs Very Sincerely,
  
:<u>George A. Callaghan</u><ref>Letter of 27 August, 1914.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/3.</ref>
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:<u>George A. Callaghan</u><ref>Callaghan to Egerton, 27 August, 1914.  Liddle Collection.  University of Leeds.  Egerton Papers.  RNMN/EGERTON/3.</ref>
  
Callaghan was immediately appointed for special service at the Admiralty and on 11 September, 1914 was appointed [[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp]], vice Admiral [[Edmund Samuel Poë|Sir Edmund Poë]].<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28902/pages/7293 no. 28902p. 7293.]  15 September, 1914.</ref> This was followed on 1 January, 1915 by his appointment as [[Commander-in-Chief at the Nore]].<ref>''Supplement to the Monthly Navy List'' (March, 1915). p. 3.</ref>  On the occasion of the King's birthday 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 3 June, 1916.<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29608/supplements/5553 (Supplement) no. 29608.  p. 5553.] 2 June, 1916.</ref>  On 2 April, 1917 he was promoted to the rank of {{FleetRN}} in the place of [[Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe|Sir Arthur D. Fanshawe]].<ref>''London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30008/pages/3206 no. 30008.  p. 3206.]  3 April, 1917.</ref>
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Callaghan's supersession was a great shock, and aroused surprise among many naval officers, his successor included.<ref>"I hope never to live again through such a time as I had from Friday to Tuesday. My position was horrible. I did my best but could not stop what I believe is a grave error. I trust sincerely it won't prove to be so." Jellicoe to Admiral Sir Frederick Hamilton, 7 August, 1914.  In Temple Patterson. ii. p. 48.</ref>  The gunnery officer in ''Iron Duke'', Commander (later Admiral Sir) [[Geoffrey Blake]], later recalled: "However, after a hectic month of sorties, coalings, firings, exercises and consolidating our base at Scapa, we all
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realised that it would have been too much for Admiral Callaghan and that the decision was the right one."<ref>"Correspondence."  ''The Naval Review''. Vol. XLVIII. No. 4.  p. 511.</ref>
  
His funeral took place on Saturday, 27 November at Bathwick Cemetery, Bath.<ref>"Funerals" (Deaths)''The Times''Monday, 29 November, 1920Issue '''42580''', col D, pg. 17.</ref>
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Callaghan was immediately appointed for special service at the Admiralty, and on 11 September, 1914 was appointed [[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp]], vice Admiral [[Edmund Samuel Poë|Sir Edmund Poë]].{{NLJan15|p. 372}}{{Gaz|28902|7293|15 September, 1914}} This was followed on 1 January, 1915 by his appointment as [[Commander-in-Chief at the Nore]].{{SMNLMar15|p. 3}} On the occasion of the King's birthday 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 3 June, 1916.{{GazSup|29608|5553|2 June, 1916}} On 2 April, 1917 he was promoted to the rank of {{FleetRN}} in the place of [[Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe|Sir Arthur D. Fanshawe]].{{Gaz|30008|3206|3 April, 1917}}
  
==Footnotes==
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His funeral took place on Saturday, 27 November 1920 at Bathwick Cemetery, Bath.<ref>"Funerals" (Deaths).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 29 November, 1920.  Issue '''42580''', col D, p. 17.</ref>
{{reflist}}
 
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
*"Death of Admiral Callaghan" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 24 November, 1920.  Issue '''42576''', col E, pg. 14.
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* "Death of Admiral Callaghan" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 24 November, 1920.  Issue '''42576''', col E, p. 14.
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* Fremantle, Sir Sydney R. (1949)  ''My Naval Career: 1880-1928''.  London: Hutchinson & Co.
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* {{GordonRules2005}}
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* {{SmithAnAdmiralNeverForgets}}
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* {{JellicoePapersI}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
==Service Records==
 
==Service Records==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
*The National Archives[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=8556616&queryType=1&resultcount=3 ADM 196/86.]
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*{{ADM196|86|D8115210}}  Volume 1f. 134.
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7916407&queryType=1&resultcount=4 ADM 196/38.] Book 2.  ff. 195, 202.
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*{{ADM196|38|D7600926}} Volume 2.  ff. 195, 202.
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7905156&queryType=1&resultcount=4 ADM 196/18.] Book 6.  ff. 380, 535, 542.
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*{{ADM196|18|D7589684}} Volume 6.  ff. 380, 535, 542.
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
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{{TabAppts}}
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="center"
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{{Appt
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|[[Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral in the Channel Fleet]]|[[Robert Leonard Groome|Robert L. Groome]]|1906 &ndash; 1907|[[Robert Swinburne Lowry|Robert S. Lowry]]
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}}
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{{Appt
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|[[Home Fleet (Royal Navy)|Vice-Admiral Commanding, Second Division, Home Fleet]]|[[Archibald Berkeley Milne, Second Baronet|Sir A. Berkeley Milne, Bart.]]|1910 &ndash; 1911|[[John Rushworth Jellicoe, First Earl Jellicoe|Sir John R. Jellicoe]]
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}}
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="3" align="center" style="background:#CEDFF2" | '''Naval Appointments'''
+
| rowspan="2" width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman|Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman]]'''
 +
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''Commander-in-Chief,<br>Home Fleet'''<br>1911 &ndash; 1912
 +
| rowspan="2" width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''Sir John R. Jellicoe'''
 
|-
 
|-
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Francis Charles Bridgeman Bridgeman|Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman]]'''
+
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Home Fleets (Royal Navy)|Commander-in-Chief,<br>Home Fleets]]'''<br>1912 &ndash; 1914
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Home Fleets (Royal Navy)|Commander-in-Chief,<br>Home Fleets]]'''<br>1911 &ndash; 1914
 
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Rushworth Jellicoe, First Earl Jellicoe|Sir John R. Jellicoe]]'''
 
 
|-
 
|-
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Edmund Samuel Poë|Sir Edmund S. Poë]]'''
+
{{TabEnd}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" align="center"| '''[[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp|First and Principal<br>Naval Aide-de-Camp]]'''<br>1914 &ndash; 1917
+
[[Category:People with old TabAppts]]
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Sir Henry B. Jackson]]'''
+
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
|-
+
{{TabNaval}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;" align="center"| Preceded by<br>'''[[Richard Poore, Fourth Baronet|Sir Richard Poore, Bart.]]'''
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Louis Alexander Mountbatten, First Marquess of Milford Haven|H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg]]'''|'''[[Naval Adviser to the Inspector-General of Fortifications|Naval Adviser to the Inspector-General of Fortifications]]'''<br>22 Oct, 1894<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38/187.}}</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Stanley Cecil James Colville|The Hon. Stanley C. J. Colville]]'''}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| '''[[Commander-in-Chief at the Nore]]'''<br>1915 &ndash; 1918
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Ramsay Arbuthnot|Charles R. Arbuthnot]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hermione (1893)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hermione'']]'''<br>19 Jul, 1897<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}.  f. 535.</ref> &ndash; 26 Jan, 1898<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}. f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Astley Callaghan|George A. Callaghan]]'''}}
| width="220" style="border-bottom:1px solid grey;"  align="center"| Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, Bart.]]'''
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George Astley Callaghan|George A. Callaghan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hermione (1893)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hermione'']]'''<br>7 Apr, 1898{{NLOct98|p. 257}}<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}.  f. 535.</ref> &ndash; 1 Sep, 1899<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}.  f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert Stevenson Dalton Cuming|Robert S. D. Cuming]]'''}}
|-
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Stevenson Dalton Cuming|Robert S. D. Cuming]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Endymion (1891)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Endymion'']]'''<br>2 Sep, 1899<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18.}}  f. 535.</ref> &ndash; 9 May, 1901<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}. f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Alfred Wyndham Paget|Alfred W. Paget]]'''}}
|}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ernest James Fleet|Ernest J. Fleet]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Edgar (1890)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Edgar'']]'''<br>16 Jul, 1901{{ToL|The Naval Manoeuvres|Thursday, July 11, 1901, Issue 36504, p.8}}<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38}}.  f. 202.</ref> &ndash; 27 Aug, 1901<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}.  f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Bernard Currey|Bernard Currey]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Ferris|John Ferris]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cæsar (1896)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cæsar'']]'''<br>21 Dec, 1901<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18.}}  f. 535.</ref> &ndash; 5 Apr, 1903<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}. f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Henry B. Jackson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alfred Arthur Chase Parr|Alfred A. C. Parr]]'''|'''[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard|Captain of Portsmouth Dockyard Reserve]]'''<br>2 May, 1903<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 202.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[Portsmouth Royal Dockyard|Captain of Portsmouth Dockyard]]'''<br>21 Oct, 1903<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  f. 202.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis Raymond Pelly|Francis R. Pelly]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Prince of Wales (1902)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Prince of Wales'']]'''<br>18 May, 1904<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18.}}  f. 535.</ref> &ndash; 22 Jul, 1905<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18}}.  f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Godfrey Otway Tupper|Reginald G. O. Tupper]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[Fifth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, Fifth Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>5 Apr, 1907<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18.}} f. 535.</ref> &ndash; 26 Nov, 1908<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18.}} f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Tower Hamilton|Frederick T. Hamilton]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Louis Alexander Mountbatten, First Marquess of Milford Haven|H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg]]'''|'''[[Mediterranean Station|Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Station]]'''<br>27 Nov, 1908{{UKCeased|Unnumbered Folio}} &ndash; 8 Nov, 1910<ref>Callaghan Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/18.}} f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Thomas Henry Martyn Jerram|T. H. Martyn Jerram]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Richard Poore, Fourth Baronet|Sir Richard Poore, Bart.]]'''|'''[[Nore Station|Commander-in-Chief at the Nore]]'''<br>1 Jan, 1915<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/38.}}  p. 202.</ref> &ndash; 1 Mar, 1918<ref>Callaghan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/18.}} f. 535.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, First Baronet|Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, Bart.]]'''}}
 +
{{TabCourt}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edmund Samuel Poë|Sir Edmund S. Poë]]'''|'''[[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp|First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp]]'''<br>11 Sep, 1914{{Gaz|28902|7293|15 September, 1914}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Bradwardine Jackson|Sir Henry B. Jackson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabEnd}}
 +
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 +
 
 +
==Footnotes==
 +
{{reflist}}
  
[[Category:1852 births|Callaghan]]
+
{{DEFAULTSORT:Callaghan, George Astley}}
[[Category:1920 deaths|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Personalities|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship) Entrants of January, 1866|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Naval Advisers to the Inspector-General of Fortifications|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Rear-Admirals in the Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Rear-Admirals Commanding, Fifth Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Seconds-in-Command, Mediterranean Station|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Vice-Admirals Commanding, Second Division, Home Fleet (Royal Navy)|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Commanders-in-Chief, Home Fleets|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:First and Principal Naval Aides-de-Camp to King George V|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Commanders-in-Chief at the Nore|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Royal Navy Admirals of the Fleet|Callaghan]]
 
[[Category:Royal Navy Flag Officers|Callaghan]]
 
  
[[Category:Captains of H.M.S. Prince of Wales (1902)|Callaghan]]
+
{{CatPerson|UK|1852|1920}}
 +
{{CatBritannia|January, 1866}}
 +
{{CatAdmOfTheFleet|UK}}
 +
{{CatInterpreter|UK|Hindustani}}
 +
[[Category:Vice-Admirals Commanding, Second Division, Home Fleet (Royal Navy)]]
 +
[[Category:Commanders-in-Chief, Home Fleet (Royal Navy)]]
 +
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath]]
 +
[[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]]
 +
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 22:22, 6 April 2022

Admiral of the Fleet Sir George A. Callaghan, 1918.
© National Portrait Gallery, London.

Admiral of the Fleet SIR George Astley Callaghan, G.C.B.G.C.V.O., R.N. (21 December, 1852 – 23 November, 1920) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He commanded the main British fleet from 1911 until being relieved on the eve of the Great War in 1914. As the Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful British fleet yet assembled in "home waters", Callaghan was arguably as important an influence on Royal Navy war planning in the last years of peace as the Sea Lords.

Early Life & Career

George Astley Callaghan was born in London 21 December 1852, the third son of Captain Frederic Marcus Callaghan, J.P., of Lotabeg, co. Cork, by his wife, Georgina Frances, daughter of Captain James Hodgson, of the East India Company's service. He entered the Royal Navy in 23 January, 1866, being appointed to the training ship H.M.S. Britannia at Dartmouth as a Naval Cadet. He left Britannia on 16 April, 1877, with a Second Class Certificate and obtained six months' sea time.

He was appointed to the ironclad Caledonia on 17 April and to the battleship Lord Warden on 26 May. On 16 October he was rated Midshipman. He remained in Lord Warden until 25 September, 1870, when he was appointed to the corvette Wolverine. On 15 April, 1872, he was promoted to the rank of Acting Sub-Lieutenant, having passed his seamanship examination for the rank of Lieutenant. He returned home and was borne on the books of Excellent from 16 May, 1874, to 23 April, 1875, while studying for and taking the various examinations for the rank of Lieutenant.[1]

He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 April, 1875.[2] From 24 April to 3 May he was appointed to Royal Adelaide at Devonport before going on half pay. From 2 December, 1876, to 14 March, 1877, he was appointed to Excellent for a short course in gunnery, and for a torpedo course in Vernon from 15 March to 27 April. He was appointed to Ruby on the East Indies station on 14 June. During this commission one of the ship's boats capsized in the Irrawady, and Callaghan earned the commendation of the Admiralty by his gallant behaviour, which saved the lives of several of the crew.

He qualified as an Interpreter in Hindustani.

His son, Cyril Callaghan, whom would also become a Royal Navy officer in the Great War, was born on 16 June, 1881.

On 30 September he was appointed to Excellent to qualify in gunnery duties. He completed the course on 31 May, 1883, and on 9 June went on half pay. On 18 July he was appointed to Cambridge at Devonport as Junior Staff Officer. He left Cambridge on 3 September, 1884, and on 16 September was appointed to Duncan, additional, for Trent, for gunnery duties at the naval barracks. On 16 April, 1885, he was again appointed to the Ruby, this time as first and gunnery lieutenant on the South-East coast of America station. He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1887,[3] and in 1888 was appointed to the Bellerophon, the flagship on the North American station, in which ship he returned home in 1892. In the same year he was given the command of the Alacrity, yacht of the commander-in-chief, China station.

On 1 January, 1894, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.[4]

Captain

He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Division, or Companion, of the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 9 November, 1900, "in recognition of services rendered during the recent disturbance in China."[5]

He was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to King Edward VII on 25 April, 1904, vice Milne.[6]

He assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Edgar on 16 July, 1901.[7]

He was appointed in command the battleship Cæsar on 21 December, 1901.[8]

He was appointed to command the battleship Prince of Wales on 18 May, 1904.[9]

Flag Rank

Callaghan was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 29 June, 1905.[10]

He was appointed Rear-Admiral in the Channel Fleet on 16 November, 1906.

Callaghan was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the Fifth Cruiser Squadron on 5 April, 1907, thus beginning an association with the Home Fleet which continue almost without interruption until the outbreak of the First World War.

On the occasion of the King's inspection of the Home Fleet Callaghan was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 3 August, 1907.[11]

He struck his flag in Shannon as Rear-Admiral Commanding in the morning of 16 November, 1908. On 27 November he was appointed Second-in-Command in the Mediterranean.

On the occasion of the visit of the King to Malta Callaghan was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (K.C.V.O.) on 24 April, 1909.[12]

Callaghan was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 27 April, 1910, vice Niblett.[13] He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 24 June.[14] He struck his flag in Duncan as Second-in-Command, Mediterranean, on 8 August, and was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding the Second Division of the Home Fleet on 9 August.[15]

On 24 July, 1911 he transferred his flag to the dreadnought Hercules.[16]

Commander-in-Chief

The new First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston S. Churchill, wrote to the Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, on 16 November, 1911, about succeeding Sir Francis Bridgeman, who was to leave the Home Fleet to become First Sea Lord:

The Home Fleet, wh [which] becomes vacant, has not, unhappily, any candidate of clear & pre-eminent qualifications. Admiral Jellicoe is not yet sufficiently practised in the handling of fleets or sufficiently in command of the confidence of the Sea Service, to justify what wd seemingly be a vy startling promotion. I shall therefore be taking the perfectly straightforward & unexceptionable course in placing Vice-Admiral Sir George Callaghan, the present 2nd in command, who has been in almost daily control of the largest manoevres in the Home Fleet, and who has previously been second in command in the Mediterranean, in the place of Sir F. Bridgeman. Admiral Sir John Jellicoe will be his 2nd in command, & we will thus be able to see what fitness he will develop for the succession.[17]

Churchill wrote to offer the post to Callaghan on 20 November. In reply on 22 November, Callaghan wrote that "In accepting your very flattering offer I need not assure you that it will be my earnest endeavour to carry out the important duties to the best of my ability."[18] Callaghan was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet on 5 December with the rank of Acting Admiral. He assumed command on the same day.[19]

Andrew Gordon, with his usual mordancy, describes Callaghan as "an intriguing figure of whom little is known, but who stands apart from his contemporaries in that he appears to have eschewed both technocracy and slavish centralization".[20] By all accounts, Callaghan was a conscientious and practical-minded Commander-in-Chief who was receptive to new ideas and vigorous in getting his views heard by the Admiralty. Certainly he developed a positive reputation within months. Visiting Callaghan at Portland, Churchill noted in a letter to his wife on 24 March, 1912: "They are vy simple these sailors; but this one — Callaghan — is sensible."[21] He was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (G.C.V.O.) on 11 May.[22]

In the Annual Manoeuvres of 1912, Callaghan commanded the smaller Red Force, which played the part of an attacker intent on landing troops at an unfortified east coast port. The larger defending Blue Force was commanded by Prince Louis of Battenberg.[23]

He was confirmed in the rank of Admiral on 17 May, 1913.[24]

In his memoirs, Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle described something of Callaghan's character as Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleets:

He was no brilliant innovator, he had not graduated in the scientific branches of the service, and would not have pretended to judge the merits of the details of continuous advances in material of all descriptions except by the results which they achieved in practice.[25]

Although he never knew Callaghan closely, Admiral The Hon. Sir Reginald A. R. P.-E.-E.-Drax (a Commander on the staff of the First Battle Cruiser Squadron from 1913) later recalled him to Arthur Marder as being "of the old sea-dog type like Charlie Beresford and A.K. Wilson."[26]

An amusing anecdote of an incident during the Home Fleet's 1914 Spring Cruise involving Callaghan and his Captain of the Fleet, Allan Everett, comes from Vice-Admiral Humphrey Hugh Smith. It can perhaps be taken as confirming Drax's "old sea-dog" characterization:

About half-past two in the middle watch the Captain of the Fleet came out of the fleet flagship's chart-house and leaned wearily against the rails of the fore bridge. Suddenly the sound of a merrily whistled tune struck him in the ear. This sound seemed to come up from down below the fore bridge. The Captain of the Fleet peered down into the inky blackness benath him and shouted out: "Dry up, you noisy son of a bitch!" The whistling promptly ceased. A few minutes later the Commander-in-Chief came up on to the fore bridge, stood alongside the Captain of the Fleet, and discussed the general situation. After a while he remarked: "I am sorry, Captain of the Fleet, that you do not like music." "But I am very fond of music, sir," protested the Captain of the Fleet. "Well, if you are really fond of music," continued the Commander-in-Chief, "you would not have been so rude to me just now when I was trying to whistle."[27]

Supersession and the Great War

Callaghan was ordered to strike his flag and hand over to Jellicoe on 4 August.

On 27 August he wrote to Sir George Egerton, Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth:

My dear Egerton,
Thankyou very much for your letter & sympathy.
As you say I was treated abominally.
However, one must not let personal grievances come to the front just now.
I have a clear conscience in having left the Home Fleet ready —
Meanwhile I am doing what I can to help here.
Please remember me very kindly to Lady Egerton.
Yrs Very Sincerely,
George A. Callaghan[28]

Callaghan's supersession was a great shock, and aroused surprise among many naval officers, his successor included.[29] The gunnery officer in Iron Duke, Commander (later Admiral Sir) Geoffrey Blake, later recalled: "However, after a hectic month of sorties, coalings, firings, exercises and consolidating our base at Scapa, we all realised that it would have been too much for Admiral Callaghan and that the decision was the right one."[30]

Callaghan was immediately appointed for special service at the Admiralty, and on 11 September, 1914 was appointed First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp, vice Admiral Sir Edmund Poë.[31][32] This was followed on 1 January, 1915 by his appointment as Commander-in-Chief at the Nore.[33] On the occasion of the King's birthday 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 3 June, 1916.[34] On 2 April, 1917 he was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet in the place of Sir Arthur D. Fanshawe.[35]

His funeral took place on Saturday, 27 November 1920 at Bathwick Cemetery, Bath.[36]

Bibliography

  • "Death of Admiral Callaghan" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 24 November, 1920. Issue 42576, col E, p. 14.
  • Fremantle, Sir Sydney R. (1949) My Naval Career: 1880-1928. London: Hutchinson & Co.
  • Gordon, Andrew (2005). The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Command. London: John Murray (Publishers). ISBN 0719561310. (on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk).
  • Smith, Vice-Admiral Humphrey Hugh, D.S.O. (1936). An Admiral Never Forgets: Reminiscences of thirty-seven years on the active list of the Royal Navy. London: Seeley, Service & Co. Limited.
  • Jellicoe, Admiral of the Fleet John Rushworth, First Earl Jellicoe (1966). Patterson, Arthur Temple. ed. The Jellicoe Papers. Volume I. London: Navy Records Society.

Service Records

  • The National Archives. ADM 196/86. Volume 1. f. 134.
  • The National Archives. ADM 196/38. Volume 2. ff. 195, 202.
  • The National Archives. ADM 196/18. Volume 6. ff. 380, 535, 542.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Robert L. Groome
Rear-Admiral in the Channel Fleet
1906 – 1907
Succeeded by
Robert S. Lowry

Preceded by
Sir A. Berkeley Milne, Bart.
Vice-Admiral Commanding, Second Division, Home Fleet
1910 – 1911
Succeeded by
Sir John R. Jellicoe

Preceded by
Sir Francis C. B. Bridgeman
Commander-in-Chief,
Home Fleet

1911 – 1912
Succeeded by
Sir John R. Jellicoe
Commander-in-Chief,
Home Fleets

1912 – 1914
Naval Appointments
Preceded by
H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg
Naval Adviser to the Inspector-General of Fortifications
22 Oct, 1894[37]
Succeeded by
The Hon. Stanley C. J. Colville
Preceded by
Charles R. Arbuthnot
Captain of H.M.S. Hermione
19 Jul, 1897[38] – 26 Jan, 1898[39]
Succeeded by
George A. Callaghan
Preceded by
George A. Callaghan
Captain of H.M.S. Hermione
7 Apr, 1898[40][41] – 1 Sep, 1899[42]
Succeeded by
Robert S. D. Cuming
Preceded by
Robert S. D. Cuming
Captain of H.M.S. Endymion
2 Sep, 1899[43] – 9 May, 1901[44]
Succeeded by
Alfred W. Paget
Preceded by
Ernest J. Fleet
Captain of H.M.S. Edgar
16 Jul, 1901[45][46] – 27 Aug, 1901[47]
Succeeded by
Bernard Currey
Preceded by
John Ferris
Captain of H.M.S. Cæsar
21 Dec, 1901[48] – 5 Apr, 1903[49]
Succeeded by
Henry B. Jackson
Preceded by
Alfred A. C. Parr
Captain of Portsmouth Dockyard Reserve
2 May, 1903[50]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
?
Captain of Portsmouth Dockyard
21 Oct, 1903[51]
Succeeded by
Francis R. Pelly
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Prince of Wales
18 May, 1904[52] – 22 Jul, 1905[53]
Succeeded by
Reginald G. O. Tupper
Preceded by
New Command
Rear-Admiral Commanding, Fifth Cruiser Squadron
5 Apr, 1907[54] – 26 Nov, 1908[55]
Succeeded by
Frederick T. Hamilton
Preceded by
H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg
Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Station
27 Nov, 1908[56] – 8 Nov, 1910[57]
Succeeded by
T. H. Martyn Jerram
Preceded by
Sir Richard Poore, Bart.
Commander-in-Chief at the Nore
1 Jan, 1915[58] – 1 Mar, 1918[59]
Succeeded by
Sir F. C. Doveton Sturdee, Bart.
Court Appointments
Preceded by
Sir Edmund S. Poë
First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp
11 Sep, 1914[60]
Succeeded by
Sir Henry B. Jackson

Footnotes

  1. ADM 196/18. f. 380.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 24204. p. 2342. 30 April, 1875.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 25772. p. 15. 3 January, 1888.
  4. The London Gazette: no. 26471. p. 7580. 29 December, 1893.
  5. The London Gazette: no. 27245. p. 6853. 9 November, 1900.
  6. The London Gazette: no. 27676. p. 3081. 13 May, 1904.
  7. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 202.
  8. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  9. "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 16 May, 1904. Issue 37395, col A, p. 7.
  10. The London Gazette: no. 27814. p. 4700. 7 July, 1905.
  11. The London Gazette: no. 28048. p. 5390. 6 August, 1907.
  12. The London Gazette: no. 28246. p. 3277. 30 April, 1909.
  13. The London Gazette: no. 28362. p. 3063. 3 May, 1910.
  14. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28388. p. 4475. 24 June, 1910.
  15. ADM 196/38. f. 202.
  16. "Exchange of Flagships" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 27 June, 1911. Issue 39622, col G, p. 16.
  17. Churchill. Winston S. Churchill. Companion Volume II. Part 2. p. 1336.
  18. Callaghan to Churchill, 22 November 1911, CHAR 13/1, f. 28, Chartwell MSS, Churchill Archive Centre, Churchill College.
  19. ADM 196/38. f. 202.
  20. Gordon. p. 382.
  21. Churchill. Winston S. Churchill. Companion Volume II. Part 2. p. 1529.
  22. The London Gazette: no. 28607. p. 3475. 14 May, 1912.
  23. "The Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), Monday, July 15, 1912, Issue 39951, p.8.
  24. The London Gazette: no. 28722. p. 3753. 27 May, 1913.
  25. Fremantle. p. 163.
  26. Notes on Marder's draft of chapter 14 of From the Dreadnought to Scapa Flow, 11 November 1959, DRAX 6/18, Drax MSS., Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College.
  27. Smith. pp. 257-258.
  28. Callaghan to Egerton, 27 August, 1914. Liddle Collection. University of Leeds. Egerton Papers. RNMN/EGERTON/3.
  29. "I hope never to live again through such a time as I had from Friday to Tuesday. My position was horrible. I did my best but could not stop what I believe is a grave error. I trust sincerely it won't prove to be so." Jellicoe to Admiral Sir Frederick Hamilton, 7 August, 1914. In Temple Patterson. ii. p. 48.
  30. "Correspondence." The Naval Review. Vol. XLVIII. No. 4. p. 511.
  31. The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 372.
  32. The London Gazette: no. 28902. p. 7293. 15 September, 1914.
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  34. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29608. p. 5553. 2 June, 1916.
  35. The London Gazette: no. 30008. p. 3206. 3 April, 1917.
  36. "Funerals" (Deaths). The Times. Monday, 29 November, 1920. Issue 42580, col D, p. 17.
  37. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38/187.
  38. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  39. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
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  44. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  45. "The Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), Thursday, July 11, 1901, Issue 36504, p.8.
  46. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 202.
  47. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  48. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  49. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  50. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 202.
  51. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. f. 202.
  52. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  53. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  54. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  55. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  56. Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. Unnumbered Folio.
  57. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  58. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/38. p. 202.
  59. Callaghan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/18. f. 535.
  60. The London Gazette: no. 28902. p. 7293. 15 September, 1914.