Richard Purefoy FitzGerald Purefoy
Admiral Richard Purefoy FitzGerald Purefoy, C.B.E., M.V.O., Royal Navy, Retired (26 May, 1862 – 19 December, 1943) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War.
Early Life & Career
Richard Purefoy FitzGerald was born on 26 May, 1862, the eldest son of Mr. Richard Purefoy, of North Hall, Preston Candover, Hants., and Henrietta Mary, only child of the Reverend Anthony Chester, of Chicheley, Bucks.
FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1884.[1]
FitzGerald was appointed to the Victory to act as Flag Lieutenant to the Board of Admiralty for the Spithead naval review, dated 26 June, 1897.[2]
FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Commander on 22 June, 1897.[3]
On 21 December, 1906, he was appointed in command of H.M.S. Black Prince.[4]
Captain
FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Captain [from the Royal Yacht] on 11 April, 1902.[5] He was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 2 May.[6]
FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 30 January, 1912, vice Story.[7]
Great War
On 12 August, 1914, Purefoy was appointed to take charge of Loch Ewe as a secondary coaling base for the Grand Fleet, flying his flag in the Assistance.[8][9]
Retirement
In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, Purefoy was placed on the Retired List on 15 February, 1916.[10] On the same day he was appointed naval attaché to The Hague.[11] He was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 2 July, 1917.[12] Having been succeeded at The Hague on 28 December of that year,[13] on 27 April, 1918, he was given command of the Discoverer,[14] uniquely without being given a lower rank in the Royal Naval Reserve. For his service in command of Discoverer he was appointed a Commander of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.) on 27 May, 1919.[15] He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired list on 7 October, 1920.[16]
Footnotes
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 25432. p. 185. 13 January, 1885.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 17 June, 1897. Issue 35232, col C, pg. 9.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 26865. p. 3443. 22 June, 1897.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Saturday, 10 November, 1906. Issue 38174, col B, pg. 13.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 27424. p. 2420. 11 April, 1902.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 27430. p. 2933. 2 May, 1902.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 28577. p. 800. 2 February, 1912.
- ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List (September, 1914). p. 3.
- ↑ Jellicoe. The Grand Fleet. p. 96.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 29478. p. 1805. 18 February, 1916.
- ↑ The Navy List (October, 1917). p. 535a.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 30161. p. 6550. 3 July, 1917.
- ↑ The Navy List (December, 1918). p. 1817a.
- ↑ The Navy List (December, 1918). p. 991.
- ↑ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31360. p. 6503. 27 May, 1919.
- ↑ London Gazette: no. 32081. p. 9891. 12 October, 1920.
Bibliography
- "Admiral R. P. F. Purefoy" (Obituaries). The Times. Thursday, 23 December, 1943. Issue 49736, col D, pg. 7.
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/87.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/20.
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