Difference between revisions of "John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet"

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John Michael de Robeck was born at Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland, on 10 June, 1862, one of three surviving sons of the fourth Baron de Robeck. He entered the [[Royal Navy]] as a {{NavCadRN}} on 15 July, 1875, by joining the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth. He left the ship after the usual two years, or four terms, with no time allowed for conduct or study towards promotion to {{MidRN}}, suggesting his academic performance and behaviour had been poor. This is supported by a note in his papers signed by the establishment's captain, Captain [[William Graham]], entitled "Offences of M<sup><u>r</u></sup> De Robeck to Xmas 1875." In five months he had already been given four days No. 7 punishment by the Commander, i.e. "Extra drill one hour, leave stopped, go ashore one hour with Drill Sergeant, No. 4." No. 4 was "Stand on middle deck for one hour after prayers (evening)." For 15 offences he was given No. 3 punishment, "Extra drill for one hour" fifteen times. He was also reported 15 times "for want of attention in Study"!<ref>De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/1.</ref>
 
John Michael de Robeck was born at Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland, on 10 June, 1862, one of three surviving sons of the fourth Baron de Robeck. He entered the [[Royal Navy]] as a {{NavCadRN}} on 15 July, 1875, by joining the training ship [[H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship)|''Britannia'']] at Dartmouth. He left the ship after the usual two years, or four terms, with no time allowed for conduct or study towards promotion to {{MidRN}}, suggesting his academic performance and behaviour had been poor. This is supported by a note in his papers signed by the establishment's captain, Captain [[William Graham]], entitled "Offences of M<sup><u>r</u></sup> De Robeck to Xmas 1875." In five months he had already been given four days No. 7 punishment by the Commander, i.e. "Extra drill one hour, leave stopped, go ashore one hour with Drill Sergeant, No. 4." No. 4 was "Stand on middle deck for one hour after prayers (evening)." For 15 offences he was given No. 3 punishment, "Extra drill for one hour" fifteen times. He was also reported 15 times "for want of attention in Study"!<ref>De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/1.</ref>
  
−
He was appointed to his first ship, the {{UK-1Shannon|f=t}}, on 27 July, 1877, on the [[Pacific Station (Royal Navy)|Pacific Station]]. He was rated Midshipman on 28 July, 1878.  On 19 July, 1881, the ''Shannon'' paid off, and from 20 July to  After the usual three months' leave for such extended foreign service he was appointed to the {{UK-1Minotaur|f=t}} of the [[Channel Squadron]]. On 10 January, 1882, he transferred to the {{UK-Northumberland|f=t}} in the same squadron.<ref>De Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|}} ff. 127, 128.</ref>
+
He was appointed to his first ship, the {{UK-1Shannon|f=t}}, Captain [[William Burley Grant|William B. Grant]], on 27 July, 1877, on the [[Pacific Station (Royal Navy)|Pacific Station]]. He was rated Midshipman on 28 July, 1878.  On 19 July, 1881, the ''Shannon'' paid off, and from 20 July to  After the usual three months' leave for such extended foreign service he was appointed to the {{UK-1Minotaur|f=t}} of the [[Channel Squadron]]. On 10 January, 1882, he transferred to the {{UK-Northumberland|f=t}} in the same squadron.<ref>De Robeck Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/42/123.|}} ff. 127, 128.</ref>
  
 
On 29 April, 1882, de Robeck was appointed to the training ship ''St. Vincent'' at Plymouth for service in the masted brig ''Martin''. From 10 July he was appointed to the ''Royal Adelaide'', flagship at Devonport. On 27 July was examined in Seamanship by Captains William Grant of the ''Royal Adelaide'' and [[Francis Mowbray Prattent|Francis M. Prattent]] of the ''Belleisle'' and Commander Alexander G. McKechnie of the ''Lion''.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 13/218.}} f. 89.</ref> Captain Grant was of course known to him. He obtained a first class certficate with 950 marks out of 1,000. From the same date he was promoted to the rank of Acting {{SubRN}}. He was then borne on the books of ''Excellent'' while studying for the rank of {{LieutRN}}. In March, 1883, he passed his so-called Navigation examination at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]], with a third class and 869 marks. In May he passed in torpedo with a third class and 147 marks, and on 3 August he passed in gunnery with a second class and 570 marks.
 
On 29 April, 1882, de Robeck was appointed to the training ship ''St. Vincent'' at Plymouth for service in the masted brig ''Martin''. From 10 July he was appointed to the ''Royal Adelaide'', flagship at Devonport. On 27 July was examined in Seamanship by Captains William Grant of the ''Royal Adelaide'' and [[Francis Mowbray Prattent|Francis M. Prattent]] of the ''Belleisle'' and Commander Alexander G. McKechnie of the ''Lion''.<ref>{{TNA|ADM 13/218.}} f. 89.</ref> Captain Grant was of course known to him. He obtained a first class certficate with 950 marks out of 1,000. From the same date he was promoted to the rank of Acting {{SubRN}}. He was then borne on the books of ''Excellent'' while studying for the rank of {{LieutRN}}. In March, 1883, he passed his so-called Navigation examination at the [[Royal Naval College, Greenwich]], with a third class and 869 marks. In May he passed in torpedo with a third class and 147 marks, and on 3 August he passed in gunnery with a second class and 570 marks.
  
−
De Robeck was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 30 September, 1885.{{Gaz|25516|4599|2 October, 1885}}
+
On 14 August, 1883, de Robeck returned to sea and was appointed to the gunboat ''Espoir'' on the [[China Station]]. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1885.{{Gaz|25516|4599|2 October, 1885}}
  
 
He returned to the ''Britannia'' from 4 September, 1888, to 29 December, 1890, except for the period 22 July to 21 August, 1890, when he served in Torpedo Boat 86 for the annual man&oelig;uvres.
 
He returned to the ''Britannia'' from 4 September, 1888, to 29 December, 1890, except for the period 22 July to 21 August, 1890, when he served in Torpedo Boat 86 for the annual man&oelig;uvres.

Revision as of 16:33, 5 May 2024

Admiral of the Fleet Sir John M. de Robeck, Bart., 1923.
© National Portrait Gallery, London.

Admiral SIR John Michael de Robeck, First Baronet, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., R.N. (10 June, 1862 – 20 January, 1928) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the First World War. He is perhaps most notable for his command of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron during the abortive attempts to force the Dardanelles in 1915. He later commanded a battle squadron in the Grand Fleet, and after the war ended held the commands of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Fleets.

Early Life & Career

John Michael de Robeck was born at Gowran Grange, Naas, Ireland, on 10 June, 1862, one of three surviving sons of the fourth Baron de Robeck. He entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet on 15 July, 1875, by joining the training ship Britannia at Dartmouth. He left the ship after the usual two years, or four terms, with no time allowed for conduct or study towards promotion to Midshipman, suggesting his academic performance and behaviour had been poor. This is supported by a note in his papers signed by the establishment's captain, Captain William Graham, entitled "Offences of Mr De Robeck to Xmas 1875." In five months he had already been given four days No. 7 punishment by the Commander, i.e. "Extra drill one hour, leave stopped, go ashore one hour with Drill Sergeant, No. 4." No. 4 was "Stand on middle deck for one hour after prayers (evening)." For 15 offences he was given No. 3 punishment, "Extra drill for one hour" fifteen times. He was also reported 15 times "for want of attention in Study"![1]

He was appointed to his first ship, the armoured cruiser Shannon, Captain William B. Grant, on 27 July, 1877, on the Pacific Station. He was rated Midshipman on 28 July, 1878. On 19 July, 1881, the Shannon paid off, and from 20 July to After the usual three months' leave for such extended foreign service he was appointed to the ironclad battleship Minotaur of the Channel Squadron. On 10 January, 1882, he transferred to the ironclad battleship Northumberland in the same squadron.[2]

On 29 April, 1882, de Robeck was appointed to the training ship St. Vincent at Plymouth for service in the masted brig Martin. From 10 July he was appointed to the Royal Adelaide, flagship at Devonport. On 27 July was examined in Seamanship by Captains William Grant of the Royal Adelaide and Francis M. Prattent of the Belleisle and Commander Alexander G. McKechnie of the Lion.[3] Captain Grant was of course known to him. He obtained a first class certficate with 950 marks out of 1,000. From the same date he was promoted to the rank of Acting Sub-Lieutenant. He was then borne on the books of Excellent while studying for the rank of Lieutenant. In March, 1883, he passed his so-called Navigation examination at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, with a third class and 869 marks. In May he passed in torpedo with a third class and 147 marks, and on 3 August he passed in gunnery with a second class and 570 marks.

On 14 August, 1883, de Robeck returned to sea and was appointed to the gunboat Espoir on the China Station. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1885.[4]

He returned to the Britannia from 4 September, 1888, to 29 December, 1890, except for the period 22 July to 21 August, 1890, when he served in Torpedo Boat 86 for the annual manœuvres.

From 25 August, 1893, to 19 April, 1895, he served in the Britannia, before being superseded at his own request. After a short period on half pay he was appointed to Excellent for a short course of gunnery on 4 May, which he passed in July with a first class and 548 marks. During the manœuvres of 1895 he served as First Lieutenant of the Indefatigable, before being appointed to Vernon for a short course in torpedo, which he passed in November with a first class and 316 marks. On 12 November he was appointed to the Cordelia on the North America and West Indies Station as First and Gunnery Lieutenant. In March 1896 Commodore The Honourable Maurice A. Bourke wrote to the effect that "I cannot speak too highly of the admirable tact & judgement he displayed on occasion of riots at Basseterre [Guadeloupe] in command of landing party". In May, 1897, the Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral James E. Erskine, specially recommended de Robeck for promotion, and he was accordingly promoted to the rank of Commander on 22 June.[5]

In mid-1899, he was in command of the destroyer Angler and commanding the destroyers of the Chatham Flotilla.[6]

Captain

De Robeck was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January, 1902.[7]

He was appointed Captain of the armoured cruiser Carnarvon in August 1906.

He was appointed in command of the battleship Dominion on 25 January, 1908.[8]

Flag Rank

De Robeck was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 1 December, 1911, vice Savory.[9]

He struck his flag in the armoured cruiser Aboukir at Chatham on 26 July, 1914.[10]

Great War

He hoisted his flag in the first class protected cruiser Amphitrite of Cruiser Force I in August.

On 1 January, 1916, he was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.).[11]

He was placed in command of the Second Battle Squadron on 3 December, 1916 and commanded this formation through 22 March, 1919.[12]

He was confirmed in the rank of Vice-Admiral on 17 May, 1917, vice Sturdee.[13]

He was chastised for sending a telegram protesting the appointment of his navigating Cdr. Schäfer to the convoy sloop Gaillardia in November 1917.[14]

Post-War & Retirement

On 24 March, 1920, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral, vice Grant.[15]

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 1 January, 1921.[16]

He was advanced to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on 24 November, 1925, vice Burney.[17] He died in London on 20 January, 1928 at his residence at 5 Southwick Crescent.[18]

There is a portrait-drawing of de Robeck by Francis Dodd in the Imperial War Museum, South Kensington.

Bibliography

  • "Sir John de Robeck" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 21 January, 1928. Issue 44796, col B, p. 12.

Papers

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M. T.B. 86
22 Jul, 1890[19] – 21 Aug, 1890[20] 		Succeeded by
John D. Allen
Preceded by
William F. De Salis 		Captain of H.M.S. Haughty
20 Nov, 1897[21] 		Succeeded by
Marcus R. Hill
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Angler
20 Nov, 1897[22] 		Succeeded by
Charles Tibbits
Preceded by
William F. De Salis 		Captain of H.M.S. Desperate
before 9 Mar, 1898[23] – 1898 		Succeeded by
Cuthbert G. Chapman
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M.S. Mermaid
? – 28 Nov, 1899[24] 		Succeeded by
Mark E. F. Kerr
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M.S. Pyramus
1 Jun, 1900[25][26] – 1901[27][28] 		Succeeded by
Alfred E. A. Grant
Preceded by
Edward S. Adeane 		Captain of H.M.S. Warrior
16 Jul, 1902[29] – 30 May, 1903[30] 		Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Frederick F. Fegen 		Captain of H.M.S. Leander
21 Jan, 1904[31] – 1 Jun, 1904[32] 		Succeeded by
Seymour E. Erskine
Preceded by
Sir George J. S. Warrender, Bart. 		Captain of H.M.S. Carnarvon
1 Aug, 1906[33][34] – 25 Jan, 1908[35] 		Succeeded by
Robert J. Prendergast
Preceded by
Arthur T. Stuart 		Captain of H.M.S. Dominion
25 Jan, 1908[36][37] – 25 Jan, 1910[38] 		Succeeded by
Morgan Singer
Preceded by
Herbert W. Savory 		Inspecting Captain of Boys' Training Ships
15 Feb, 1911[39] – 21 Dec, 1911[40] 		Succeeded by
Edmund R. Pears
as Inspecting Captain of Boys' Training Establishments
Preceded by
New Appointment 		Admiral of Patrols
8 Apr, 1912[41] – 1 May, 1914[42] 		Succeeded by
George A. Ballard
Preceded by
? 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, Eighth Cruiser Squadron
26 Jul, 1914[43] 		Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
New Command 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, Cruiser Force I
1 Aug, 1914[44] – 7 Feb, 1915[45] 		Succeeded by
Sir A. Gordon H. W. Moore
as Rear-Admiral Commanding, Ninth Cruiser Squadron
Preceded by
Sackville H. Carden 		Vice-Admiral Commanding, Eastern Mediterranean Squadron
17 Mar, 1915[46] – 19 Jun, 1916[47] 		Succeeded by
Sir Cecil F. Thursby
Preceded by
Sir Edward E. Bradford 		Vice-Admiral Commanding, Third Battle Squadron
19 Jul, 1916[48] – 1 Dec, 1916 		Succeeded by
Sir Herbert L. Heath
Preceded by
Sir T. H. Martyn Jerram 		Vice-Admiral Commanding, Second Battle Squadron
3 Dec, 1916[49] – 22 Mar, 1919[50] 		Succeeded by
Sir Henry F. Oliver
Preceded by
The Hon. Sir Somerset A. Gough-Calthorpe 		Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station
26 Jul, 1919[51] – 15 May, 1922[52] 		Succeeded by
Sir Osmond de B. Brock
Preceded by
Sir Charles E. Madden 		Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet
15 Aug, 1922[53] – 15 Aug, 1924[54] 		Succeeded by
Sir Henry F. Oliver

Footnotes

  1. ↑ De Robeck papers, Churchill Archives Centre, DRBK 3/1.
  2. ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. ff. 127, 128.
  3. ↑ The National Archives. ADM 13/218. f. 89.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 25516. p. 4599. 2 October, 1885.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26865. p. 3443. 22 June, 1897.
  6. ↑ Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1899. p. 63.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27393. p. 3. 3 January, 1902.
  8. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1908). p. 301.
  9. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28562. p. 9446. 15 December, 1911.
  10. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Monday, 27 July, 1914. Issue 40586, col B, p. 4.
  11. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29423. p. 80. 31 December, 1915.
  12. ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. ff. 285.
  13. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 30084. p. 4942. 22 May, 1917.
  14. ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. f. 285.
  15. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 3186. p. 4474. 16 April, 1920.
  16. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 32178. p. 4. 1 January, 1921.
  17. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33110. p. 7950. 1 December, 1925.
  18. ↑ De Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42/123. ff. 285.
  19. ↑ "Naval Intelligence". The Times. Friday, 19 July, 1890. Issue 33068, col C, p. 12.
  20. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/20. f. 346.
  21. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  22. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1898). p. 224.
  23. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), 8 Oct. 1897, p. 9.
  24. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  25. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64/128.
  26. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1901). p. 296.
  27. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1901). p. 296.
  28. ↑ Grant Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 31.
  29. ↑ De Robeck Service Record ADM 196/42.
  30. ↑ De Robeck Service Record ADM 196/42.
  31. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64/128.
  32. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 64/128.
  33. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1908). p. 291.
  34. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  35. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  36. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 301.
  37. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  38. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  39. ↑ "Naval Appointments" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 11 January, 1911. Issue 39496, col B, p. 8.
  40. ↑ de Robeck service record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  41. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  42. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  43. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 27 July, 1914. Issue 40586, col B, p. 4.
  44. ↑ Supplement to the Monthly Navy List. (September 1914). p. 5.
  45. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  46. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 32.
  47. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  48. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 4.
  49. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. f. 3.
  50. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 128.
  51. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. p. 32.
  52. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 285.
  53. ↑ "Flag Command Changes" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 21 December, 1921. Issue 42909, col D, p. 14.
  54. ↑ de Robeck Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 285.

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