Alexander Edward Bethell

Admiral THE HONOURABLE SIR Alexander Edward Bethell, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., Royal Navy (28 August, 1855 – 13 June, 1932) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War.

Early Life & Career

Bethell was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1898.

Home Fleet and Flag Rank

On 10 January, 1908 Bethell was appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, Vice-Admiral Francis C. B. Bridgeman.

Director of Naval Intelligence

Bethell was appointed to the Naval Intelligence Department, additional, on 17 February, 1909, and became Director of Naval Intelligence in succession to Rear-Admiral Edmond J. W. Slade on 3 March.

East Indies

Bethell relieved Vice-Admiral Sir Edmond J. W. Slade as Commander-in-Chief on the East Indies Station on 5 February, 1912.

War College

Having submitted Bethell's name for the King's approval, on 20 November, 1912, Churchill elaborated for the King's benefit on Bethell's suitability for the position:

Sir Alexander Bethell is specially qualified for the presidency of the War College from the fact that he has filled for a considerable period the position of Director of Naval Intelligence, which under the old system corresponded as nearly as possible to that of Chief of the War Staff. It is proposed that a very close connection shall exist between the War College and the War Staff in London. We do not want unnecessarily to widen the circle of officers who are privy to Admiralty secrets. Sir A. Bethell knows everything and can therefore guide the College in the right directions in tactical and strategic teaching without disclosing anything that ought to be kept secret. it is desirable to know everything in order to understand what to conceal. It is also desirable that the heads of the War Staff and War College should be able mutually to help each other.

I was agreeably surprised by the readiness of Sir A. Bethell to give up his lucrative East Indian command and know he is willing to do so, subject to the King's approval, only to get nearer the front line in case of trouble. In spite of his unimpressive manner he is an officer of first-rate ability. I am quite sure no better appointment is within reach at the present time.

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 10 May, 1913, vice Adair.

Great War

On 17 January, 1915, Bethell was appointed in command of the Channel Fleet in succession to Vice-Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly. He was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 10 June, 1916. He was placed on the Retired List ostensibly at his own request on 1 September, 1918.

Bibliography

• "Admiral Sir Alexander Bethell" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 15 June, 1932. Issue 46160, col C, pg. 9.

Papers

• Papers in the possession of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/38.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/19.

Naval Offices
Preceded by Henry B. Jackson	Assistant Director of Torpedoes 1903 – 1906	Succeeded by Bernard Currey
Preceded by Sir Edmond J. W. Slade	Commander-in-Chief on the East Indies Station 1912	Succeeded by Sir Richard Henry Peirse
Preceded by Sir Henry B. Jackson	President of the Royal Naval War College 1913 – 1914	Succeeded by College Suspended
Preceded by Sir Frederic W. Fisher	President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich 1914 – 1915	Succeeded by Sir Lewis Bayly
Preceded by Sir Arthur M. Farquhar	Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves 1909 – 1913	Succeeded by The Hon. Sir Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe
Preceded by Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart.	Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth 1916 – 1918	Succeeded by Sir Cecil F. Thursby