1st Division (Royal Navy)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1st Division
ActiveMarch 1909–April 1912
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Navy
TypeDivision

The 1st Division was a formation of the Home Fleet of the Royal Navy.[1] It briefly existed before the First World War from 1909 to 1912.

History[edit]

In March 1909 following a Navy re-organisation, the Home Fleet absorbed the Channel Fleet,[2] which became its First and Second divisions. Each division consisted of A battle squadron that had eight ships.[3] This was essentially a reserve force allocated to major home commands.[4] The new Dreadnought class battleships were allocated to the 1st Battle Squadron - 1st Division, Home Fleet.[4] The Royal Navy's Battle Cruisers were posted to the 1st Cruiser Squadron. The Atlantic Fleet managed to survive the organisational changes. The first division existed until 1912 when it re-styled 1st Battle Squadron.[4]

Rear-Admirals in the 1st Division[edit]

Post holders included:[5]
Rank Flag Name Term
Rear-Admirals in the First Division
1 Rear-Admiral Charles J. Briggs March, 1909 - 5 January, 1910
2 Rear-Admiral F. C. Doveton Sturdee 5 January, 1910 - 5 January, 1911
3 Rear-Admiral Richard H. Peirse 5 January, 1911 - 5 January, 1912
4 Rear-Admiral Charles E. Madden 5 January, 1912 -May 1912

Components[edit]

Included [6]
Unit Notes
1 1st Battle Squadron, 1st Division 8 (dreadnoughts)
2 1st Cruiser Squadron (6 battle cruisers)
3 1st Destroyer Flotilla (4 cruiser leaders & 19 destroyers )

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ Burt, R. A. (2012). British Battleships of World War One: New Revised Edition. Seaforth Publishing. p. 99. ISBN 9781848321472.
  2. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1900-1914". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 8 August 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  3. ^ Friedman, Norman (2014). Fighting the Great War at Sea: Strategy, Tactic and Technology. Seaforth Publishing. p. 118. ISBN 9781473849709.
  4. ^ a b c Friedman.p.118.
  5. ^ Mackie, Gordon. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Gordon Mackie, p.199. December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  6. ^ Smith, Gordon. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1900-1914". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 8 August 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2017.

References[edit]

  • Friedman, Norman (2014). Fighting the Great War at Sea: Strategy, Tactic and Technology. Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 9781473849709.
  • Mackie, Gordon. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Gordon Mackie, p.199. December 2017.
  • Marder, Arthur J. (2013) [1961]. From Dreadnought to Scapa Flow: The Royal Navy in the Fisher Era. Vol. I: The Road to War 1904–1914. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 9781-59114-259-1.
  • Smith, Gordon. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1900-1914". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 8 August 2015.