The 8th Destroyer Flotilla, also styled as the Eighth Destroyer Flotilla, was a

military formation Military organization or military organisation is the structuring of the armed forces of a state so as to offer such military capability as a national defense policy may require. In some countries paramilitary forces are included in a nation ...

of the British

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against F ...

from 1911 to 1939.

History

The flotilla was established in August 1911. In 1912 was assigned to the

Admiral of Patrols The Admiral of Patrols was a former command appointment within the Admiralty during world war one usually held by a junior flag officer the post was established from 1912 to 1916. History In the preceding years before world war the Admiralty wer ...

command and was based at

Chatham Dockyard Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. Established in Chatham in the mid-16th century, the dockyard subsequently expanded into neighbouring Gillingham (at its most extensive, in the early 20th century, ...

. For the duration

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

it was on patrol duties. Post first world war it was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet from 1921 to 1924. In 1925 it was reassigned to the

China Station The Commander-in-Chief, China was the admiral in command of what was usually known as the China Station, at once both a British Royal Navy naval formation and its admiral in command. It was created in 1865 and deactivated in 1941. From 1831 to 18 ...

where it remained just before the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

in May 1939 when it was renamed 21st Destroyer Flotilla. It was first commanded by Commander Charles Wills and last commanded by Captain Harold Hickling.

Administration

Captains (D) afloat, 8th Destroyer Flotilla

Captain (D) afloat is a Royal Navy appointment of an operational commander of a destroyer flotilla or squadron.

References

Sources

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External links

Destroyer flotillas of the Royal Navy Military units and formations established in 1911 Military units and formations disestablished in 1939 {{UK-navy-stub