The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore, was an operational commander of the

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 ...

. His subordinate units, establishments, and staff were sometimes informally known as the Nore Station or Nore Command.

The Nore The Nore is a long bank of sand and silt running along the south-centre of the final narrowing of the Thames Estuary, England. Its south-west is the very narrow Nore Sand. Just short of the Nore's easternmost point where it fades into the cha ...

is a sandbank at the mouth of the

Thames Estuary The Thames Estuary is where the River Thames meets the waters of the North Sea, in the south-east of Great Britain. Limits An estuary can be defined according to different criteria (e.g. tidal, geographical, navigational or in terms of salini ...

and

River Medway The River Medway is a river in South East England. It rises in the High Weald AONB, High Weald, East Sussex and flows through Tonbridge, Maidstone and the Medway conurbation in Kent, before emptying into the Thames Estuary near Sheerness, a to ...

.Area Combined Headquarters Chatham & HMS Wildfire
/ref>

History

The origins of the Commander-in-Chief's post can be traced to the first area naval commander, then known as the ''Commander-in-Chief, Thames'' from 1695 to 1696. From 1698 to 1699 the appointment was known as ''Commander-in-Chief, Medway''. In 1707 the post holder was known as ''Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway'' and between 1711 and 1745 the office was known as the ''Commander-in-Chief, Thames, Medway and Nore''. In 1745 the post for the first time was simply called the ''Commander-in-Chief, Nore'' established at

Chatham Chatham may refer to: Places and jurisdictions Canada * Chatham Islands (British Columbia) * Chatham Sound, British Columbia * Chatham, New Brunswick, a former town, now a neighbourhood of Miramichi * Chatham (electoral district), New Brunswic ...

and became responsible for sub-commands at

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

less the

Admiralty Admiralty most often refers to: *Admiralty, Hong Kong * Admiralty (United Kingdom), military department in command of the Royal Navy from 1707 to 1964 *The rank of admiral * Admiralty law Admiralty can also refer to: Buildings *Admiralty, Tr ...

Sheerness Sheerness () is a town and civil parish beside the mouth of the River Medway on the north-west corner of the Isle of Sheppey in north Kent, England. With a population of 11,938, it is the second largest town on the island after the nearby town ...

Harwich Harwich is a town in Essex, England, and one of the Haven ports on the North Sea coast. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the north-east, Ipswich to the north-west, Colchester to the south-west and Clacton-on- ...

and

Humber The Humber is a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England. It is formed at Trent Falls, Faxfleet, by the confluence of the tidal rivers Ouse and Trent. From there to the North Sea, it forms part of the boundary between th ...

. A. Cecil Hampshire writes that in 1752

Isaac Townsend Isaac Townsend ( – 21 November 1765) was an admiral in the British Royal Navy and a Member of Parliament. A post-captain from 1720, Townsend commanded various ships. As captain of HMS Shrewsbury he took part in the expedition against Cartage ...

Admiral of the Blue The Admiral of the Blue was a senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, immediately outranked by the rank Admiral of the White (see order of precedence below). From 1688 to 1805 this rank was in order of precedence third; after 1805 ...

, was appointed as "Commander-in-Chief of HM Ships and Naval Vessels in the Rivers Thames and Medway and at the Buoy of the Nore." From 1827 the Commander-in-Chief was accommodated in Admiralty House,

, built as part of the renewal of

Sheerness Dockyard Sheerness Dockyard also known as the Sheerness Station was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the Sheerness peninsula, at the mouth of the River Medway in Kent. It was opened in the 1660s and closed in 1960. Location In the Age of Sail, the R ...

. From 1834 to 1899 his appointment was known as the ''Commander-in-Chief, Sheerness''. After the dissolution of the

Home Fleet The Home Fleet was a fleet of the Royal Navy that operated from the United Kingdom's territorial waters from 1902 with intervals until 1967. In 1967, it was merged with the Mediterranean Fleet creating the new Western Fleet. Before the First ...

in 1905, remaining ships at a lesser state of readiness were split between three reserve divisions:

Nore Division The Commander-in-Chief, The Nore, was an operational commander of the Royal Navy. His subordinate units, establishments, and staff were sometimes informally known as the Nore Station or Nore Command. The Nore is a sandbank at the mouth of the Th ...

plus the

Devonport Division Devonport may refer to: * Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England ** HMNB Devonport, naval base/dockyard ** Plymouth Devonport (UK Parliament constituency), parliamentary constituency formerly known as Devonport * Devonport, New Zealand, a suburb of Au ...

and the

Portsmouth Division Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is administered by Portsmouth City Council. Portsmouth is the most dense ...

. In 1909 the division was brought out of reserve status, and became operational as part of the 3rd and 4th Division of the Home Fleet. In 1907 the Commander-in-Chief moved to a new Admiralty House alongside the naval barracks ( HMS ''Pembroke'') in Chatham, the Sheerness house being given over to the Commander-in-Chief,

. The

Dover Patrol The Dover Patrol and later known as the Dover Patrol Force was a Royal Navy command of the First World War, notable for its involvement in the Zeebrugge Raid on 22 April 1918. The Dover Patrol formed a discrete unit of the Royal Navy based at Dove ...

Harwich Force The Harwich Force originally called Harwich Striking Force was a squadron of the Royal Navy, formed during the First World War and based in Harwich. It played a significant role in the war. History After the outbreak of the First World War, a p ...

, and

Humber Force The Humber is a large tidal estuary on the east coast of Northern England. It is formed at Trent Falls, Faxfleet, by the confluence of the tidal rivers Ouse and Trent. From there to the North Sea, it forms part of the boundary between the ...

operated in the Channel during the

First World War 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 ...

, but were responsible to the Admiralty in London; the Nore was effectively a provider of shore support rather than a command with operational responsibilities. In 1938 an underground Area Combined Headquarters was built close to Admiralty House to accommodate the Commander-in-Chief together with the Air Officer Commanding

No. 16 Group RAF No. 16 Group RAF was a Royal Air Force groups. It has existed over two periods in to different roles. First, No. 16 Group was a training group from 1918 to 1920 that had been transferred from the Royal Flying Corps. Secondly, it was a reconnai ...

, Coastal Command, and their respective staffs; similar headquarters were built close to the other

Royal Dockyard Royal Navy Dockyards (more usually termed Royal Dockyards) were state-owned harbour facilities where ships of the Royal Navy were built, based, repaired and refitted. Until the mid-19th century the Royal Dockyards were the largest industrial ...

s. During 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 ...

, the Nore assumed great importance: it was used to guard the east coast convoys supplying the ports of North Eastern England. During the Second World War, the Commander-in-Chief at the Nore, at

, included eight sub commands, each of which usually commanded by a Flag Officer either a Rear Admiral or Vice Admiral. They included

Brightlingsea station Brighlingsea Naval Base was an installation of the British Royal Navy located at Brightlingsea, Essex, on the East Coast of England. It was a sub-area command under the Commander-in-Chief, The Nore from 1914 to 1921 and again from 1939 to 1945. ...

, Humber, London (not including the Admiralty), Lowestoft,

, Southend and Yarmouth. These sub-commands were then sub-divided into Base areas usually commanded by a ''Naval Officer in Charge (NOIC)'' or a ''Residential Naval Officer (RNO)'' these included HM Naval Bases at Boston, Burnham-on-Crouch, Felixstowe, Gravesend, Grimsby, Immingham, and Queensborough. With the onset of the

Cold War The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because the ...

, the Nore diminished in importance as the navy decreased in size. Between 1952 and 1961 the Commander-in-Chief, The Nore was double-hatted as Commander, Nore Sub-Area, of NATO's

Allied Command Channel Allied Command Channel (ACCHAN) was one of three major North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) commands from 1952 to 1994. Commander-in-Chief Channel was a Major NATO Commander (MNC). The Command was established in 1952 to defend the sea areas a ...

. Cecil Hampshire writes that the appointment of Commander-in-Chief finally lapsed as part of the "Way Ahead" economies. The closing ceremony took place on 24 March 1961, when the station's Queen's Colour was formally laid up in the presence of members of the

Admiralty Board The Admiralty Board is the body established under the Defence Council of the United Kingdom for the administration of the Naval Service of the United Kingdom. It meets formally only once a year, and the day-to-day running of the Royal Navy is ...

, several former Commanders-in-Chief, other civilian and military figures, "..and the Commander-in-Chief of the Netherlands Home Station flying his flag in the new Dutch destroyer ''Limburg'' who had been invited to attend." The Commander-in-Chief's appointment was finally discontinued on 31 March 1961. Cecil Hampshire writes that from 1 April 1961, the area was divided between the Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth and the

Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland The Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland (FOSNI) was a senior post in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It was based at HMNB Clyde, HM Naval Base Clyde, and the holder of the post was the Royal Navy’s senior officer in Scotland. The ...

, the demarcation line being "roughly at

The Wash The Wash is a rectangular bay and multiple estuary at the north-west corner of East Anglia on the East coast of England, where Norfolk, England, Norfolk meets Lincolnshire and both border the North Sea. One of Britain's broadest estuaries, it i ...

." For purposes of administration from that date onward, the Admiral Superintendent Chatham also took the title of Flag Officer Medway. The underground headquarters went on to serve as HMS ''Wildfire'', a Royal Naval Reserve training and communications centre, from 1964 to 1994.

Installations

Chatham

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, ...

was a Dockyard located on the

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, two-thirds of the dockyard lay in Gillingham, one-third in Chatham. The senior officer was a

Captain-Superintendent, 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, ...

or the

Admiral-superintendent Chatham 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, ...

In the early 20th century the Rear Admiral Commanding, Chatham Sheerness Reserve Division, was established and became responsible eventually to the Commander-in-Chief,

(s). Post holders included Rear Admirals

Walter Hodgson Bevan Graham Admiral Walter Hodgson Bevan Graham (13 October 1849 – August 1931) was a British Royal Navy officer who was Captain Superintendent of Sheerness Dockyard from 1902 until 1904. Naval career Graham joined the Royal Navy in the 1860s. He was promot ...

, 3 January 1905 – 3 January 1906;

Charles H. Adair Admiral Charles Henry Adair (2 July 1851 – 9 March 1920) was a Royal Navy officer in mid-late 19th century and the early 20th century. He retired just prior to the outbreak of World War I. Royal Navy service Adair entered the Royal Navy, and ...

3 January 1906 – 3 January 1907; and

Frank Finnis Admiral Frank Finnis (8 November 1851 – 17 November 1918FINNIS, Adm. Frank’, Who Was Who, A & C Black, online edition, Oxford University Press, 2014) was a British Royal Navy admiral before the First World War. Early life Finnis was born ...

3 January 1907 – 4 January 1909. The

Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham The Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham, also known as HMS ''Pembroke'', was a UK naval barracks that was built between the Victorian Steam Yard and Brompton Barracks from 1897 to 1902. It was built on the site of a prison built in 1853 to house ove ...

were purpose-built to provide accommodation and training facilities for the men of the reserve fleet who were waiting to be appointed to ships. Designed by Colonel Henry Pilkington, construction of the barracks began in 1897 and completed in December 1902.

Sheerness Dockyard

was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the Sheerness peninsula, at the mouth of the River Medway in Kent. It was opened in the 1660s and closed in 1960. It was directed by the Admiral-Superintendent, Sheerness.

Sub-areas during First and Second World Wars

At various times during the First and Second World Wars, up to nine sub-areas were established. These were usually administered by either a retired vice or rear admiral, or an active captain, who were appointed as Senior Naval Officers or Flag Officers.

Seagoing formations

Various units that served in this command included:

Commanders-in-Chief

Commanders-in-Chief have included:
= died in post

Commander-in-Chief Thames (1695–1696)

* Commodore

Stafford Fairborne Admiral of the Fleet Sir Stafford Fairborne (1666 – 11 November 1742) was a Royal Navy officer and Whig politician. As a captain he saw action in command of various ships at the Battle of Beachy Head, at the Battle of Barfleur and at the Batt ...

1695 * Commodore

James Gother Commodore James Gother (died 1696) was a Royal Navy officer who briefly served as Commander-in-Chief, The Thames from 7 April 1696 to 15 April 1696. Naval career Promoted to captain in May 1689, Gother commanded, successively, the fourth-rate , ...

1696

Commander-in-Chief, Medway, (1698–1699)

* Vice-Admiral Sir

John Jennings John Jennings may refer to: Politicians * John Jenyns (1660–1717), MP * John Jennings (Burton MP) (1903–1990), British Conservative Party politician * John Jennings (American politician) (1880–1956), U.S. Representative from Tennessee, 1939 ...

, 1698–1699

Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway, (1707–1711)

* Vice-Admiral Sir

, (1707–1711) (promoted to Admiral 1708)

Commander-in-Chief, Thames, Medway and Nore, (1711–1747)

* Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, 1711–1712 * Rear-Admiral William Caldwell 1717 * Vice Admiral Sir

Chaloner Ogle Admiral of the Fleet Sir Chaloner Ogle KB (1681 – 11 April 1750) was a Royal Navy officer and politician. After serving as a junior officer during the Nine Years' War, a ship he was commanding was captured by three French ships off Ostend in ...

1745–1747

Commander-in-Chief, Medway and at the Nore, (1747–1797)

* Rear-Admiral Henry Osborn (1747–1748) (V.Adm May 1748) * Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Geary (1757–1758) * Commodore William Boys (1760–1761) * Commodore William Gordon (1762–1765) * Commodore Christopher Hill (1770–1771) * Vice-Admiral Sir Peter Denis (1771–1775) * Vice-Admiral

Edward Vernon Admiral Edward Vernon (12 November 1684 – 30 October 1757) was an English naval officer. He had a long and distinguished career, rising to the rank of admiral after 46 years service. As a vice admiral during the War of Jenkins' Ear, in 1 ...

(1775–1776) * Vice-Admiral

Robert Roddam Robert Roddam (1719 – 31 March 1808) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the American War of Independence. He survived to see the French Revolutionary and Na ...

(1778–1783) * Vice-Admiral Sir Walter Stirling (1783–1785) * Vice-Admiral Sir Andrew Hammond (1785–1788) * Vice-Admiral Richard Edwards (1788–1792) * Vice-Admiral

William Locker William Locker (16 February 1866 – 15 August 1952) was an English association football, footballer and cricketer. He played first-class cricket for Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derbyshire between 1894 and 1903 and football for Stoke F.C., ...

(1792–1794) * Rear-Admiral John Dalrymple (1794–1795) * Vice-Admiral Sir

George Collier Vice Admiral Sir George Collier (11 May 1732 – 6 April 1795) was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the Seven Years' War, the American War of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars. As commander of the fourth-rate shi ...

(1795) * Vice-Admiral

Charles Buckner Admiral Charles Buckner (c. 1735–1811) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. He was the brother of John Buckner, Bishop of Chichester, and grandfather of portraitist Richard Buckner. Early life Charles Buckner was ...

(1795–1797)

Commander-in-Chief, Nore, (1797–1834)

Post holders included: * Vice-Admiral

Skeffington Lutwidge Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge (13 March 1737 – 15/16 August 1814) was an officer of the Royal Navy, who saw service during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He had a particular connection wi ...

(1797–1798) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Thomas Pasley Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, 1st Baronet (2 March 1734 – 29 November 1808) was a senior and highly experienced British Royal Navy officer of the eighteenth century, who served with distinction at numerous actions of the Seven Years' War, America ...

(1798–1799) * Vice-Admiral

Alexander Graeme Admiral Alexander Graeme (9 December 1741 – 5 August 1818) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Born at ''Graemeshall'' in Orkney, Graeme became commanding officer of the sloop HMS ''Kingfisher'' in F ...

(1799–1803) * Vice-Admiral

Lord Keith Baron Keith was a title that was created three times in British history, with all three creations in favour of the same person, Admiral the Honourable Sir George Keith Elphinstone. He was the fifth son of Charles Elphinstone, 10th Lord Elphinsto ...

(1803–1807) (formed part of North Sea Command) * Vice-Admiral Thomas Wells (1807–1810) * Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Stanhope (1810–1811) * Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Williams (1811–1814) * Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Rowley (1815–1818) * Vice-Admiral Sir John Gore (1818–1821) * Vice-Admiral Sir Benjamin Hallowell (1821–1824) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Robert Moorsom Admiral Sir Robert Moorsom KCB (8 June 1760 – 14 April 1835) was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the American War of Independence, the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. His very active service career was especial ...

(1824) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Henry Blackwood Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Blackwood, 1st Baronet, GCH, KCB (28 December 1770 – 17 December 1832), whose memorial is in Killyleagh Parish Church, was a British sailor. Early life Blackwood was the fourth son of Sir John Blackwood, 2nd Baronet, ...

(1827–1830) * Vice-Admiral Sir John Beresford (1830–1833) * Vice-Admiral Sir Richard King (1833–1834)

Commander-in-Chief, Sheerness, (1834–1899)

Post holders included: * Vice-Admiral

Charles Elphinstone Fleeming Admiral Hon. Charles Elphinstone Fleeming (18 June 1774 – 30 October 1840) was a British officer of the Royal Navy who served during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He commanded a succession of smaller vessels during the earl ...

(1834–1837) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Robert Otway Admiral Sir Robert Waller Otway, 1st Baronet, GCB (26 April 1770 – 12 May 1846) was a senior Royal Navy officer of the early nineteenth century who served extensively as a sea captain during the Napoleonic War and later supported the Brazilia ...

(1837–1840) * Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Digby (1840–1841) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Edward Brace Vice Admiral Sir Edward Brace (''bap.'' 2 June 1770 – 26 December 1843) was a senior officer of the British Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Most of his career was spent as a successful independent captain, ...

(1841–1843) * Vice-Admiral Sir John White (1844–1845) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Edward Durnford King Admiral Sir Edward Durnford King KCH (1771 – 14 January 1862) was a Royal Navy officer. After taking part in the Glorious First of June he saw action at the blockade of Cadiz before going on to be Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope an ...

(1845–1848) * Vice-Admiral Sir George Elliot (1848–1851) * Vice-Admiral Josceline Percy (1851–1854) * Vice-Admiral William Gordon (1854–1857) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Edward Harvey Admiral Sir Edward Harvey, (1783 – 4 May 1865) was an officer of the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and continued in the service during the first half of the nineteenth century during which he participated ...

(1857–1860) * Vice-Admiral Sir

William Hope-Johnstone William is a male given name of Germanic origin.Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 276. It became very popular in the English language after the Norman conquest of Engl ...

(1860–1863) * Vice-Admiral Sir George Lambert (1863–1864) * Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Talbot (1864–1866) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Baldwin Walker Admiral Sir Baldwin Wake Walker, 1st Baronet, (6 January 1802 – 12 February 1876) was Surveyor of the Navy from 1848 to 1861. and was responsible for the Royal Navy's warship construction programme during the 1850s naval arms race and at th ...

(1866–1869) * Vice-Admiral

Richard Warren Richard Warren (c. 1585c.1628) was one of the passengers on the Pilgrim ship ''Mayflower'' and a signer of the Mayflower Compact. Early life Richard Warren married Elizabeth Walker, at Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, on 14 April 1610. Elizabeth ...

(1869–1870) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Charles Elliot Admiral Sir Charles Elliot (15 August 1801 – 9 September 1875) was a British Royal Navy officer, diplomat, and colonial administrator. He became the first Administrator of Hong Kong in 1841 while serving as both Plenipotentiary and Chief S ...

(1870–1873) * Vice-Admiral George Hastings (1873–1876) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Henry Chads Admiral Sir Henry Chads (27 October 1819 – 29 June 1906) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Born the son of Admiral Sir Henry Ducie Chads, Henry Chads joined the Royal Navy in 1832 and wen ...

(1876–1877) * Vice-Admiral Sir

William King-Hall Admiral Sir William King-Hall, (11 March 1816 – 29 July 1886) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, The Nore from 1877 to 1879. Naval career King-Hall joined the Royal Navy in 1829, and took part in operations off the ...

(1877–1879) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Reginald Macdonald Admiral Sir Reginald John James George Macdonald (19 October 1820 – 15 December 1899) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. Early life Macdonald was born in Westminster, the son of Reginald Ge ...

(1879–1882) * Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Rice (1882–1884) * Vice-Admiral Sir

John Corbett John Joseph Corbett Jr. (born May 9, 1961) is an American actor and country music singer. On television, he is best known for his roles as Chris Stevens on '' Northern Exposure'' (1990–1995), Aidan Shaw on ''Sex and the City'' (2000–2003 ...

(1884–1885) * Vice-Admiral The Prince of Leiningen (1885–1887) * Vice-Admiral

Charles Waddilove Admiral Charles Lodowick Darley Waddilove (13 May 1828 – 17 October 1896) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Born the son of Rev'd. William James Darley Waddilove, Charles Waddilove was appoint ...

(1887–1888) * Vice-Admiral Thomas Lethbridge (1888–1890) * Vice-Admiral

Charles Curme Vice Admiral Charles Thomas Curme (2 August 1827 – 19 February 1892) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Curme joined the Royal Navy in 1841. Promoted to Captain in 1864, he commanded HMS ''R ...

(1890–1892) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Algernon Heneage Admiral Sir Algernon Charles Fieschi Heneage (19 March 1833 – 10 June 1915) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Dubbed "Pompo," he was known for his immaculate dress and his white-glove inspections of the ...

(1892–1894) * Vice-Admiral Sir Richard Wells (1894–1896) * Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Nicholson (1896–1897) * Vice-Admiral Sir

Charles Hotham Sir Charles Hotham, KCB, RN (14 January 180631 December 1855)B. A. Knox,Hotham, Sir Charles (1806–1855), '' Australian Dictionary of Biography'', Volume 4, MUP, 1972, pp 429-430. was Lieutenant-Governor and, later, Governor of Victoria, ...

(1897–1899)

Commander-in-Chief, Nore, (1899–1961)

Post holders included: * Vice-Admiral Sir

Nathaniel Bowden-Smith Admiral (Royal Navy), Admiral Sir Nathaniel Bowden-Smith (21 January 1838 – 28 April 1921) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Bowden-Smith joined the Royal Navy in 1852. He took part in the S ...

(1899–1900) * Vice-Admiral Sir William Kennedy (1900–1901) * Vice-Admiral Sir Albert Markham (1901–1903) * Admiral Sir

Hugo Pearson Admiral (Royal Navy), Admiral Sir Hugo Lewis Pearson, Order of the Bath, KCB (30 June 1843 – 12 June 1912) was a Royal Navy officer who served as both Australia Station, Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station and Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. N ...

(1903–1907) * Admiral Sir Gerard Noel (1907–1908) * Admiral Sir

Charles Drury Brigadier-General Charles Mills "Bud" Drury, (17 May 1912 – 12 January 1991) was a Canadian military officer, lawyer, civil servant, businessman and politician.Richard Poore Richard Poore or Poor (died 15 April 1237) was a medieval English bishop best known for his role in the establishment of Salisbury Cathedral and the City of Salisbury, moved from the nearby fortress of Old Sarum. He served as Bishop of Chic ...

(1911–1915) * Admiral Sir

George Callaghan Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Astley Callaghan (21 December 1852 – 23 November 1920) was an officer in the Royal Navy. During the Boxer Rebellion he served as commander of a naval brigade sent ashore to form an element of a larger expediti ...

(1915–1918) * Admiral Sir

Doveton Sturdee Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy), Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, 1st Baronet (9 June 18597 May 1925) was a Royal Navy officer. After training as a torpedo officer, he commanded two different cruisers and then three d ...

(1918–1921) * Admiral Sir

Hugh Evan-Thomas Admiral (Royal Navy), Admiral Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas, (27 October 1862 – 30 August 1928) was a British Royal Navy officer. During World War I he commanded the 5th Battle Squadron (United Kingdom), 5th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, fly ...

(1921–1924) * Vice Admiral Sir

William Goodenough Admiral Sir William Edmund Goodenough (2 June 1867 – 30 January 1945) was a senior Royal Navy officer of World War I. He was the son of James Graham Goodenough. Naval career Goodenough joined the Royal Navy in 1882. He was appointed Commande ...

(1924–1927) * Admiral Sir

Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair Admiral Sir Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair, (born Alexander; 12 December 1865 – 13 November 1945) was a Scottish Royal Navy officer, notable for firing the first shots of the Battle of Jutland, and for leading a squadron of light cr ...

(1927–1930) * Admiral Sir

Reginald Tyrwhitt Admiral of the Fleet Sir Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, 1st Baronet, (; 10 May 1870 – 30 May 1951) was a Royal Navy officer. During the First World War he served as commander of the Harwich Force. He led a supporting naval force of 31 destroyers a ...

(1930–1933) * Vice Admiral Sir

Hugh Tweedie Admiral Sir Hugh Justin Tweedie KCB (5 April 1877 – 20 August 1951) was an officer in the Royal Navy who served in the First and Second World War. Naval career Tweedie was born at Charlton, Kent, the son of General Michael Tweedie of the Ro ...

(1933–1935) * Vice Admiral Sir Edward Evans (1935–1939) * Admiral Sir

Studholme Brownrigg Admiral Sir Henry John Studholme Brownrigg, KBE, CB, DSO (3 September 1882 – 24 January 1943) was a Royal Navy officer who was Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Brownrigg joined the Royal Navy, was promoted to acting sub-lieutenant ...

(January 1939 – December 1939) * Admiral Sir

Reginald Plunkett Admiral Sir Reginald Aylmer Ranfurly Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax, KCB, DSO, JP, DL ( Plunkett; 28 August 1880 – 16 October 1967), commonly known as Reginald Plunkett or Reginald Drax, was an Anglo-Irish admiral. The younger son of the 17th Ba ...

(1939–1941) * Admiral Sir George Lyon (1941–1943) * Admiral Sir

John Tovey Admiral of the Fleet John Cronyn Tovey, 1st Baron Tovey, (7 March 1885 – 12 January 1971), sometimes known as Jack Tovey, was a Royal Navy officer. During the First World War he commanded the destroyer at the Battle of Jutland and then co ...

(1943–1946) * Admiral Sir

Harold Burrough Admiral Sir Harold Martin Burrough (4 July 1889 – 22 October 1977) was a senior Royal Navy officer and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff to the Royal Navy during World War II. Early career Born the tenth son of Rev. Charles Burrough and his wif ...

(1946–1948) * Admiral Sir

Henry Moore Henry Spencer Moore (30 July 1898 – 31 August 1986) was an English artist. He is best known for his semi- abstract monumental bronze sculptures which are located around the world as public works of art. As well as sculpture, Moore produced ...

(1948–1950) * Admiral Sir

Cecil Harcourt Admiral Sir Cecil Halliday Jepson Harcourt (translated to Chinese as zh , t= 夏慤 , j=haa6 kok3 , labels=no; 11 April 1892 – 19 December 1959) was a British naval officer. He was the ''de facto'' governor of Hong Kong as commander-in-chie ...

(1950–1952) * Admiral Sir

Cyril Douglas-Pennant Admiral The Honourable Sir Cyril Eustace Douglas-Pennant KCB CBE DSO DSC (7 April 1894 – 3 April 1961) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Born the son of Frank Douglas-Pennant, 5th Baron Pe ...

(1952–1953) * Admiral Sir

Geoffrey Oliver Admiral (Royal Navy), Admiral Sir Geoffrey Nigel Oliver (22 January 1898 – 26 May 1980) was a Royal Navy officer during the Second World War. Early career The oldest son of a botanist, Professor Francis Wall Oliver, Geoffrey Oliver was educat ...

(1953–1955) * Admiral Sir

Frederick Parham Admiral Sir Frederick Robertson Parham, GBE, KCB, DSO (9 January 1901 – 20 March 1991) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Naval career Educated at the Royal Naval College, Osborne, and the Royal Naval Co ...

(1955–1958) * Admiral Sir

Robin Durnford-Slater Admiral Sir Robin Leonard Francis Durnford-Slater KCB (born Leonard Francis Slater; 9 July 1902 – 28 June 1984) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be the last Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. Early life Born as Leonard Francis Slater in 190 ...

(1958–1961)

Senior staff officers

Flag Captain, the Nore

Post holders supporting the senior naval officer at the Nore included: * Captain William G. Luard: July 1860 – July 1863 * Captain John Fulford: July 1863 – April 1866 * Captain Donald McL. Mackenzie: April 1866 – June 1869 * Captain Thomas Miller: June 1869 – June 1870 * Captain John C. Wilson: June 1870 – January 1872 * Captain George W. Watson: January 1872 – January 1875 * Captain Charles T. Curme: January 1875 – February 1876 * Captain St. George C. D'Arcy-Irvine: February 1876 – September 1877 * Captain Thomas B. Lethbridge: September 1877 – January 1879 * Captain Thomas B.M. Sulivan: January 1879 – July 1881 * Captain John D’Arcy: July 1881 – September 1883 * Captain James A. Poland: September 1883 – September 1886 * Captain Frederick C.B. Robinson: September 1886 – July 1887 * Captain Arthur C. Curtis: July 1887 – July 1890 * Captain Leicester C. Keppel: July 1890 – August 1892 * Captain Henry H. Boys: August 1892 – October 1894 * Captain William H.C. St.Clair: October 1894 – February 1896 * Captain James L. Hammet: February 1896 – January 1898 * Captain William F.S. Mann: January 1898 – July 1899 * Captain Charles Campbell: July–October 1899 * Captain Henry C. Bigge: October 1899 – February 1901 * Captain Archibald Y. Pocklington: February 1901 – December 1902 * Captain Arthur Y. Moggridge: January 1907 – April 1908 * Captain

Clement Greatorex Admiral Clement Greatorex (7 January 1869 – 21 March 1937) was a Royal Navy officer. Naval career Promoted to captain on 31 December 1905, Greatorex was given command of the protected cruiser HMS ''Eclipse'' in January 1906 and the armoured c ...

: April–December 1908 * Captain Henry J. L. Clarke: December 1908 – August 1911 * Captain

Philip H. Colomb Vice-Admiral Philip Howard Colomb, Royal Navy, RN (29 May 1831 – 13 October 1899). Born in Knockbrex, near Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, he was a Royal Navy officer, historian, critic and inventor. He was the son of Gen ...

: August 1911 – January 1915 * Captain Ernest A. Taylor: January 1915 – May 1916 * Captain William Bowden-Smith: May–July 1916 * Captain Alexander V. Campbell: July 1916 – April 1918 * Captain Cecil M. Staveley: April–October 1918

Chief of Staff, the Nore

Post holders supporting the CINC, Nore included: * Captain Theobald W.B. Kennedy: October 1918 – May 1921 * Captain

Wilfred Tomkinson Vice Admiral Wilfred Tomkinson, (15 November 1877 – 7 October 1971) was a Royal Navy officer who served as commander of the Battlecruiser Squadron from 1931 to 1934. Naval career Tomkinson joined the Royal Navy in 1891 and served in the destr ...

: May 1921 – June 1923 * Captain Herbert W.W. Hope: June 1923 – December 1924 * Captain the Hon. William S. Leveson-Gower: December 1924 – May 1927 * Captain the Hon. E. Barry S. Bingham: May 1927 – May 1929 * Captain Douglas B. Le Mottee: May 1929 – May 1931 * Captain Reginald V. Holt: May 1931 – August 1933 * Captain

Hector Boyes Rear Admiral Hector George Boyes, (20 February 1881 – 23 October 1960) was an officer of the Royal Navy. Background, early career, and World War I Boyes was born in 1881 at Plymouth, the son of a naval officer, Sir George Boyes; he entered t ...

: August 1933 – November 1934 * Captain Robert B. Ramsay: November 1934 – December 1935 * Captain Reginald B. Darke: December 1935 – August 1937 * Captain Philip Esmonde Phillips: August 1937 – July 1938 * Captain the Hon. George Fraser: July 1938 – May 1940 * Rear-Admiral Alfred H. Taylor: May 1940 – March 1943 * Commodore George H. Creswell: March–October 1943 * Commodore Robert G.H. Linzee: October 1943 – April 1946 * Captain Albert L. Poland: April 1946 – July 1948 * Captain Lennox A. K. Boswell: July 1948 – May 1949 * Captain Arthur M. Knapp: May 1949 – June 1951 * Captain Herbert F.H. Layman: June 1951 – January 1953 * Captain Ronald E. Portlock: January 1953 – December 1954 * Captain John A. W. Tothill: December 1954 – July 1956 * Captain William A.F. Hawkins: July 1956 – December 1957 * Captain Roger B.N. Hicks: December 1957 – April 1960 * Captain Barry J. Anderson: April 1960 – March 1961

Offices under the Chief of Staff

Included:

Notes

External links

* Unit Histories
RN Nore

{{Royal Navy fleets N Military units and formations established in 1752 Military units and formations disestablished in 1961 Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War I Military units and formations of the Royal Navy in World War II