Frank Finnis
Admiral Frank Finnis, C.V.O., Royal Navy, Retired (8 November, 1851 – 17 November, 1918) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Frank Finnis was born in Dover[1] on 8 November, 1851.[2]
On 8 October 1874, he was promoted Lieutenant.[3]
From October 1876 to June 1878, Finnis was at Excellent for various courses. During this time he earned a First Class Certificate in Gunnery from Excellent and an Honorary Certificate from the Royal Naval College.[4]
On 21 April, 1883, he was appointed to the Senior Staff of H.M.S. Cambridge, gunnery ship at Devonport.[5]
Finnis was promoted to the rank of Commander on 1 January, 1886.[6]
Finnis was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1893.[7]
He assumed command of the first class protected cruiser Royal Arthur in May 1895.[8] This was his first permanent command, and indicates that the Admiralty--or at least those responsible for command appointments--thought highly of Finnis, since Royal Arthur was flagship of the Pacific Station. This faith was apparently justified, since Rear-Admiral Henry Stephenson's report upon giving up command of the station described Finnis as "[a]n excellent officer, who has maintained his ship in the highest state of discipline." Stephenson also recommended Finnis for advancement.[9]
He was appointed in command of the second class battleship Collingwood on 27 February, 1900.[10] He may also have been in command of Illustrious from February 1900, but it is not clear which preceded the other, if both occurred.[11]
Having left Illustrious to return to England on 17 April 1902,[12] Finnis was subsequently appointed to the second class protected cruiser Cambrian as Commodore, Second Class on 20 June, 1902.[13]
He was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King dated 30 August, 1903, vice Poore.[14]
Rear-Admiral Finnis married Ann Lake[15] at Kensington Parish Church on 11 July, 1906.[16]
Flag Rank
Finnis was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 16 February, 1905, vice Grenfell.[17]
On the occasion of the King's inspection of the Home Fleet Finnis was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 3 August, 1907.[18]
Finnis was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 15 November, 1908.[19] In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, he was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 9 February, 1909.[20] He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 20 March, 1913.[21]
On 24 April, 1915, he was granted a temporary Commission as a Captain in the Royal Naval Reserve.[22]
Footnotes
- ↑ Malta Family History: THE ROYAL NAVY 1900 - 1979. He entered the Royal Navy on 25 January, 1865.
- ↑ ADM 186/38. f. 387.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ The Navy List (December, 1884). p. 254.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25545. p. 7. 1 January, 1886.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26359. p. 2. 2 January, 1893.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
- ↑ ADM 196/86. f. 118.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Thursday, 8 February, 1900. Issue 36060, col F, p. 10.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
- ↑ ADM 196/38. f. 387.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 2 June, 1902. Issue 36783, col D, p. 9.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27596. p. 5665. 11 September, 1903.
- ↑ The new Mrs. Finnis's full name is given--in the usual cramped and squalid handwriting reserved for historically important records--in Finnis's service record as something close to Ann Hare Shallinor Lake, née Macrobin.
- ↑ ADM 196/38. f. 387.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27766. p. 1279. 21 February, 1905.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28048. p. 5390. 6 August, 1907.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28201. p. 9182. 1 December, 1908.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28223. p. 1111. 12 February, 1909.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28703. p. 2159. 21 March, 1913.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 29145. p. 4061. 27 April, 1915.
Bibliography
- "Fallen Officers" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 20 November, 1918. Issue 41952, col F, p. 8.
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/86.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/38.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/18.
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