Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Donald Kelly (13 July 1871 – 4 November 1936) was a

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by Kingdom of England, English and Kingdom of Scotland, Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were foug ...

officer. He served in 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 fig ...

as commanding officer of the cruiser HMS ''Dublin'' which came close to intercepting the German battlecruiser SMS ''Goeben''. After the War he took charge of a naval force dispatched to strengthen the Mediterranean Fleet during the

Chanak Crisis The Chanak Crisis ( tr, Çanakkale Krizi), also called the Chanak Affair and the Chanak Incident, was a war scare in September 1922 between the United Kingdom and the Government of the Grand National Assembly in Turkey. ''Chanak'' refers to Ç ...

. After serving as

Fourth Sea Lord The Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Supplies originally known as the Fourth Naval Lord was formerly one of the Naval Lords and members of the Board of Admiralty which controlled the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom the post is currently known ...

and then commander of the

1st Battle Squadron The 1st Battle Squadron was a naval squadron of the British Royal Navy consisting of battleships. The 1st Battle Squadron was initially part of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet. After World War I the Grand Fleet was reverted to its original name, ...

, Kelly, known for his skill in personnel matters, was asked to take command of the Atlantic Fleet in the aftermath of the

Invergordon Mutiny The Invergordon Mutiny was an industrial action by around 1,000 sailors in the British Atlantic Fleet that took place on 15–16 September 1931. For two days, ships of the Royal Navy at Invergordon were in open mutiny, in one of the few mi ...

. He rapidly restored discipline and issued a report which was quite critical 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 ...

's handling of the pay cuts issue in the first place. He went on to be

Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. The commanders-in-chief were based at premises in High Street, Portsmouth from the 1790s until the end of Sir Thomas Williams's tenure, his succes ...

Naval career

Early career

Born the second son of Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Holdworth Kelly of the Royal Marine Artillery and Elizabeth Kelly (née Collum), Kelly joined the training ship HMS ''Britannia'' as a

cadet A cadet is an officer trainee or candidate. The term is frequently used to refer to those training to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. Its meaning may vary between countries which can include youths in ...

on 15 January 1884.Heathcote, p. 139 Promoted to

midshipman A midshipman is an officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Canada (Naval Cadet), Australia, Bangladesh, Namibia, New Zealand, South Af ...

on 15 November 1886, he joined the corvette HMS ''Calliope'' in January 1887. He transferred to the armoured frigate HMS ''Agincourt'' in the

Channel Squadron Channel, channels, channeling, etc., may refer to: Geography * Channel (geography), in physical geography, a landform consisting of the outline (banks) of the path of a narrow body of water. Australia * Channel Country, region of outback Austral ...

in August 1888, to the battleship HMS ''Anson'' in the Channel Squadron in May 1889 and then to the corvette HMS ''Volage'' in the Training Squadron in September 1889. Promoted to

sub-lieutenant Sub-lieutenant is usually a junior officer rank, used in armies, navies and air forces. In most armies, sub-lieutenant is the lowest officer rank. However, in Brazil, it is the highest non-commissioned rank, and in Spain, it is the second hig ...

on 14 February 1891 and to

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often ...

on 31 December 1893, he joined the cruiser HMS ''Katoomba'' on the

Australia Station The Australia Station was the British, and later Australian, naval command responsible for the waters around the Australian continent.Dennis et al. 2008, p.53. Australia Station was under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, Australia Station, ...

in February 1894. He transferred to the cruiser HMS ''Royal Arthur'', flagship of the Australia Station, in November 1897 and, after qualifying in gunnery at the gunnery school HMS ''Excellent'' in 1901, he became gunnery officer in HMS ''Forte'' on the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station and saw action in her during the

Second Boer War The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the South ...

. Promoted to

commander Commander (commonly abbreviated as Cmdr.) is a common naval officer rank. Commander is also used as a rank or title in other formal organizations, including several police forces. In several countries this naval rank is termed frigate captain ...

on 30 June 1904, Kelly became Executive Officer in the armoured cruiser HMS ''Sutlej'' on 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 ...

in November 1904, Executive Officer in the cruiser HMS ''Hawke'' in the

Reserve Fleet A reserve fleet is a collection of naval vessels of all types that are fully equipped for service but are not currently needed; they are partially or fully decommissioned. A reserve fleet is informally said to be "in mothballs" or "mothballed"; ...

in 1906 and Executive Officer in the battleship HMS ''Cornwallis'' in the Atlantic Fleet in January 1907.Heathcote, p. 140 He went on to be a member of the teaching staff at the

Royal Naval College, Dartmouth Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a ...

in July 1908 and, having been promoted to

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

on 22 June 1911, he became a member of the teaching staff at the Royal Naval War College in October 1912 and Captain of the School of Physical Training at

Portsmouth Portsmouth ( ) is a port and city status in the United Kingdom, city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire in southern England. The city of Portsmouth has been a Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority since 1 April 1997 and is admi ...

in January 1913. He then became commanding officer of the light cruiser HMS ''Hermione'' in 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 Fi ...

in April 1914 and commanding officer of the cruiser HMS ''Dublin'' in the

Mediterranean Fleet The British Mediterranean Fleet, also known as the Mediterranean Station, was a formation of the Royal Navy. The Fleet was one of the most prestigious commands in the navy for the majority of its history, defending the vital sea link between t ...

in July 1914.

First World War

Kelly served in the

: on 4 August 1914 he was assigned, as commanding officer of HMS ''Dublin'', by Sir Berkeley Milne to shadow the German squadron under Rear-Admiral Wilhelm Souchon, consisting of the cruiser SMS ''Breslau'' and the battlecruiser SMS ''Goeben''. Kelly did so, but eventually lost sight of the German ships. Kelly's younger brother

Howard Howard is an English-language given name originating from Old French Huard (or Houard) from a Germanic source similar to Old High German ''*Hugihard'' "heart-brave", or ''*Hoh-ward'', literally "high defender; chief guardian". It is also prob ...

, commanding the cruiser HMS ''Gloucester'', also became involved in the subsequent chase. HMS ''Dublin'' re-encountered the Germans at 1.30 a.m. on 6 August 1914 while sailing to join Rear-Admiral

Ernest Troubridge Admiral Sir Ernest Charles Thomas Troubridge, (15 July 1862 – 28 January 1926) was an officer of the Royal Navy who served during the First World War. Troubridge was born into a family with substantial military connections, with several of hi ...

's squadron, and passed news of the sighting to his brother and to Troubridge, before losing them again. Howard Kelly continued to shadow the Germans, and at 8.30 p.m. Milne ordered HMS ''Dublin'', sailing in company with two destroyers, to launch a torpedo attack that night. Using the reports from HMS ''Gloucester'' of the Germans' speed and course, HMS ''Dublin'' and the destroyers took up position on the Germans' bow, and waited to intercept them. They hoped to make contact at 3.30 a.m. on the morning of 7 August 1914, but the British had been spotted by SMS ''Breslau'', which warned SMS ''Goeben''. The Germans passed unseen to starboard. Kelly became commanding officer of the cruiser HMS ''Devonshire'' in the

Grand Fleet The Grand Fleet was the main battlefleet of the Royal Navy during the First World War. It was established in August 1914 and disbanded in April 1919. Its main base was Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. History Formed in August 1914 from the ...

in March 1916 and was appointed a Commander of the

Order of the Crown of Italy The Order of the Crown of Italy ( it, Ordine della Corona d'Italia, italic=no or OCI) was founded as a national order in 1868 by King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II, to commemorate Italian unification, the unification of Italy ...

on 5 June 1916. He went on to be commanding officer of the cruiser HMS ''Weymouth'' in the Grand Fleet in September 1916 and commanding officer of the battlecruiser HMS ''Princess Royal'' also in the Grand Fleet in July 1917. He was appointed a

Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion may refer to: Relationships Currently * Any of several interpersonal relationships such as friend or acquaintance * A domestic partner, akin to a spouse * Sober companion, an addiction treatment coach * Companion (caregiving), a care ...

on 1 January 1919, appointed an officer of the French

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...

on 27 May 1919 and awarded the French

Croix de Guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...

on 4 May 1920.

Post war

HMS Nelson off Spithead for the Fleet Review

Kelly became Director of Operations at the Admiralty in July 1919 and acquired Greenham Hall at

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by m ...

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for use as a country home in 1920. He was appointed a naval aide-de-camp to the King on 21 March 1921. Promoted to

rear admiral Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star " admiral" rank. It is often rega ...

on 21 November 1921, he became commander of the 4th Battle Squadron in July 1922 and took charge of a naval force dispatched to strengthen the Mediterranean Fleet during the

in September 1922. Kelly became

in April 1924 and, having been promoted to vice-admiral on 25 October 1926, became commander of the

and second-in-command of the Mediterranean Fleet with his flag in the battleship HMS ''Warspite'' in April 1927. He became the admiral commanding the reserves in August 1929 and was advanced to

Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, which involved bathing (as a symbol of purification) as one ...

on 3 June 1929 before being promoted to full admiral on 12 December 1930. In September 1931 the National Government led by Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald decided to reduce the wages of all public sector employees: the wage reduction in the Royal Navy was particularly severe and led directly to the

later that month. In the aftermath of the mutiny Kelly, known for his skill in personnel matters, was asked to take command of the Atlantic Fleet in October 1931.Heathcote, p. 141 He insisted that the mutineers be transferred out of the fleet and his fleet be renamed the

before he took up his new command flying his flag in the battleship HMS ''Nelson''. He rapidly restored discipline and issued a report which was quite critical of the

's handling of the pay cuts issue in the first place. Kelly was appointed a

Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order The Royal Victorian Order (french: Ordre royal de Victoria) is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the British monarch, Canadian monarch, Australian monarch, ...

on 13 July 1932 and also First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp on 31 July 1934. He went on to be

in January 1935, was advanced to

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, which involved bathing (as a symbol of purification) as ...

on 3 June 1935 and attended the funeral of

King George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother Q ...

in January 1936. Promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 12 July 1936, Kelly died at a nursing home at

Marylebone Marylebone (usually , also , ) is a district in the West End of London, in the City of Westminster. Oxford Street, Europe's busiest shopping street, forms its southern boundary. An ancient parish and latterly a metropolitan borough, it m ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, 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 dow ...

on 4 November 1936 and was buried at sea at a ceremony on board the cruiser HMS ''Curacoa'' on 7 November 1936. The destroyer HMS ''Kelly'' was named after him.

Family

In 1915 Kelly married Mary Kelly from Sydney, the sister of the composer and rower Frederick Septimus Kelly; they had a daughter.

References

Sources

* * * *

External links

* , - , - , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, John 1871 births 1936 deaths Royal Navy admirals of the fleet Royal Navy admirals of World War I Burials at sea Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Royal Navy officers of World War I Lords of the Admiralty People from Southsea Royal Navy personnel of the Second Boer War Military personnel from Portsmouth