Admiral of the Fleet
Sir Andrew Browne Cunningham
K.T., G.C.B., O.M., D.S.O. (2 Bars)
Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope
Updated 18-Oct-2007
| Personal Details | ||
| Event | Date / details | Source |
| Date of Birth | 7 January 1883 | 1 |
| Place of Birth | Dublin | 1 |
| Name of father | D.J. Cunningham | 1 |
| Profession of father | M.D., F.R.S., T.C.D. | 1 |
| Wife's Name | Nora Christine Byatt | 1 |
| Date of Marriage | 21 December 1929 | 1 |
| Place of Marriage | All Saints' Church, Hockerill, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire | 1 |
| Date of Death | 12 June 1963 | 3 |
| Place of Burial | ||
| Rank History | ||
| Rank | Date attained | Source |
| Naval Cadet | 15 January 1897 | 1 |
| Midshipman | 15 June 1898 | 1 |
| Sub-Lieutenant | 07 January 1902 | 1 |
| Lieutenant | 31 March 1904 | 1 |
| Lieutenant-Commander | 31 March 1912 | 1 |
| Commander | 30 June 1915 | 1 |
| Captain | 31 December 1919 | 1 |
| Rear-Admiral | 24 September 1932 | 1 |
| Vice-Admiral | 22 July 1936 | 1 |
| Acting Admiral | 01 June 1939 | 1 |
| Admiral | 03 January 1941 | 1 |
| Admiral of the Fleet | ||
| Honours and Knighthoods | |||
| Honour or Knighthood | Date awarded | Date Gazetted | Source |
| Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) | 14 March 1916 | 14 March 1916 | 4 |
| Belgian Croix de Guerre | 17 January 1919 | Not found | 1 |
| Bar to Distinguished Service Order | 18 February 1919 | 18 February 1919 | 4 |
| Second Bar to Distinguished Service Order | 8 March 1920 | 5 March 1920 | 4 |
| Aide de Camp to His Majesty King George V | 13 February 1932 | Not found | 1 |
| Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) | 4 June 1934 | 1 June 1934 | 4 |
| Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) | 2 January 1939 | 30 December 1938 | 4 |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) | 4 March 1941 | 4 March 1941 | 4 |
| Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle (K.T.) | 1 January 1945 | 29 December 1944 | 4 |
| Created Baron (Birthday Honours) | 11 June 1942 | 5 June 1942 | 4 |
| Created Viscount | 1 January 1946 | 28 December 1945 | 4 |
| Order of Merit (O.M.) (Recipient number 79) | 13 June 1946 | 4 June 1946 | 4 |
| Rewards & Distinctions |
| Source: ADM 196/47 - Service History |
| Gained 7 mos time on passing out of Britannia |
| Awarded D.S.O. Gaz 14-Mar-16 |
| Belgian Croix de Guerre Gaz 17-Jan-19 |
| Bar to D.S.O. Gazette 20-Feb-19 |
| 2nd Bar to D.S.O. Gaz 8-Mar-20 |
| CW 3156-31 Awarded G.S.P. £150p.a. 8-Apr-31 |
| Second Class of Order of the Icelandic Falcon Restricted permiossion CW 5838/30 |
| CW1369/32 Apptd A.D.C. 13-Feb-32 |
| C.B. Ldn Gaz of 4-Jun-34 |
| Invalid at B.P. on 9-Jul-35 |
| K.C.B. New Year Honours Jan 1939 Gazette 2-Jan-1939 |
| G.C.B. L Gazette 4-Mar-41 |
| Baronetcy conferred 11-Jun-42 |
| K.T. Gazette 1-Jan-45 |
| Baron - 17-Aug-45 |
| Viscount 1-Jan-46 |
| Order of Merit 13-Jun-46 |
| Gazette 2-Jul-46 The Navy Distinguished Service Medal (U.S.A.) |
| Supp Gaz 11-Apr-47 Grand Cross of the Royal Order of George I with Swords (1st Cl.) |
| Examinations |
| Source: ADM 196/47 - Service History |
| Rated Mid without exam |
| Passed Seamanship 7-Jan-02 1st Cl. 915 mks |
| Passed Navigation Pt I Mar-02 2nd 902 mks |
| Passed Navigation Pt II Jun-02 2nd 91345/2000 |
| Passed Pilotage Oct-02, 2nd Cl. 860/1000 |
| Passed Gunnery Jan-03, 2nd 830/1000 |
| Passed Torpedo Mar-03, 1st 184/200 |
| Passed (N) for cd. of (T) Craft April 1911 |
| Special Attainments or Qualifications |
| Service / Appointments History | |||||
| Ship | Station | Date of appointment |
Date of discharge |
Cause | Source |
| Britannia | T. Ship | 15-Jan-97 | 1 | ||
| Fox | Cape | 15-May-98 | May 99 | Doris | 1 |
| Doris (by C in C) | Cape | May 99 | Oct 00 | 1 | |
| Hannibal | Channel | 15 Dec 00 | 15 July 01 | Martin | 1 |
| Martin (St. Vincent) | Portsmouth | 15 July 01 | 1 Nov 01 | 1 | |
| Diadem | Ch. S | 1 Nov 01 | 27 Jan 02 | Coll | 1 |
| Implacable | Medn | 27 Mch 03 | 16.9.03 | 1 | |
| Orion add for Locust | Medn | 16.9.03 | 21.12.03 | P.O. | 1 |
| Orion add for Orwell | Medn | 21.12.03 | 31.3.04 | prom | 1 |
| ?Southampton? | 04 | 11.04 | 1 | ||
| Hawke | Tg Ship | 11.04 | 14.4.06 | P.O. | 1 |
| Suffolk | Med | 3.7.06 | 27.4.08 | P.O. | 1 |
| Scylla | ?Maurs? | -----
June 1906----- |
1 | ||
| ?Hecla? for T.B. 14 in cd. | PO | 13.5.08 | 24.1.10 | 1 | |
| ?Toparze? for Vulture in cd | PO | 24.1.10 | 15.8.10 | 1 | |
| Hecla for Roebank in cd. | 15.8.10 | 16.12.10 | P.O. | 1 | |
| Blenheim for Scorpion in cd. | 10.1.00 | 24.7.16 | P.O. | 1 | |
| Reappd in promotion | 30.6.16 | 1 | |||
| Blenheim for Rattlesnake in Cd. | 4.8.16 | 2.10.16 | 1 | ||
| Blenheim for Scorpion in Cd. - by C in C | 2.10.16 | 29.1.18 11-2-18 |
1 | ||
| Hecla for Ophelia | ?Tempy? | 11-2-18 | 29.3-18 | 1 | |
| ???? for ?Tomaquant? in cd. | 29.3.18 | 20.2.19 | 1 | ||
| ????? for Seafire | 20.2.19 | 1 | |||
| "Vivid" addl. for unemployed time not exceeding 6 mos | 1.12.19 | 1 | |||
| President addl as President of Sub Commission "C" of the Naval Inter Allied Commission of Control | 29.9.20 | 4.10.21 | Ceased | 1 | |
| Victory addl for Senior Officers Technical Course | 24/4/22 | 1 | |||
| "Wallace" in command & as Captain (D) 1st Destroyer Flot | 19/12/22 | 1 | |||
| Reappointed on recomg | 1.7.24 | Supd | 1 | ||
| Columbine in cd. & as Capt. in Charge ?Vot? Edgar Base | 15.10.24 | 1 | |||
| & as K.H.M. Rosyth | 1.4.26 | 1 | |||
| Calcutta addl | 9.5.26 | 1 | |||
| Calcutta in comd on recomg & as Flag Capt & Chief of Staff to C in C NH & WI on transfer of Flag | 11.5.26 | 1 | |||
| Despatch in Cd & as Flag Capt & chief of Staff to CinC America & West Indies on transfer of Flag | 1.28 | 7/28 | Supd | 1 | |
| President addl for Senior Offrs Course at Army School Sheerness | 1.10.28 | 1 | |||
| Victory Addl for 2 days | 5.8.28 | 1 | |||
| President addl for Imperial Defence Co | 14.1.29 | 15.12.29 | 1 | ||
| Rodney in Cd. & on recomg | 15.12.29 | 16.12.30 | Supd | 1 | |
| Cancelled | 1 | ||||
| Pembroke in Cd. and as Commodore 2nd Cl in Cd. of RN ??? ??????? | 6.7.31 | 30.1.33 | Supd | 1 | |
| Senior Officers Tactical Cse | 8.5.33 | 1 | |||
| Senior Offrs Technical Cse 5/7/33 | 14.8.33 | 1 | |||
| Rear Admiral (D) Cdg Destroyer Flotillas Mediterranean in succession to FF Rose | 2.12.33 | 1 | |||
| (To assume Cd abt. 30/12/33) | 29.4.36 (Date ascertained from P.M. 20/10/38) | 1 | |||
| Assumed Comd | 1.1.34 | 12.35 | Supd (DL 29/6/35) |
1 | |
| Victory addl SO Tech Crse | DL 16/12 | 11.1.37 | 1 | ||
| V.A.C. B.C.S. & 2nd in cd. Medn. tempy vice VA In S Blake (Jul) (DL 3/7/37) | 3.7.37 | 21.8.38 | 1 | ||
| Assumed command | Acqt 100/37 | 15.7.37 | 1 | ||
| (?? DL of 29/12/37) To be a Lord Comr of the Admy & D.C.N.S. (C.W. 5936/38) DL 16/5 |
11.38 | 5.39 | Supd DL 18/5 | 1 | |
| To be Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean with acting rank of Adml in succession to Adl Sir Dudley Pound (CW 9501/39) (DL 18/5) | 1.6.39 | 1 | |||
| Reports | |||||||
| Source: ADM 196/47 - Service History | |||||||
| Date of Report | General Conduct | Ability | Professional knowledge, specifying any particular branch | Whether temperate habits | Special knowledge or acquirements (Languages, Drawing, & c.) | Remarks, mentioning any special defects or high qualifications as regards Zeal, Judgment, Physical Qualities, & c., and if specially recommended for advancement. | Remarks |
| Jan 99 | VGI | VG | Yes | Capt. Henderson | |||
| ?July? 05 | VGI | VGI | VGI | Yes | Gd. comd. Recd for TBD | Capt Horsley | |
| May 06 | VGI | VG | VG | Yes | Zealous and tactful. Is a promising officer. | Capt. Miller | |
| Ap 08 | VGI | VG | VG | Yes | Zealous and active | Capt Wemyss | |
| 12/09 | Most capable TB Offr | Capt. Tyrwhitt | |||||
| 8/10 | VG | VGI | Yes | Zealous. Full of common sense & good judgment. Strongly recd for Running Flotilla. | Capt. Tyrwhitt | ||
| 2/11 | VGI | VG | VGI | Yes | Very zealous officer. Excellent Destroyer Officer | Capt. Silver | |
| 8/12 | VGI | VGI | VGI | Yes | Zealous & capable. Handles ship well. Recd. | Cdre Arbuthnot | |
| 2/13 | VGI | VGI | VGI | Yes | First rate destroyer Offr. Splendid zeal & judgt. Strongly recd. | Capt. Carrey | |
| 11.13 | All VGI | Great zeal. Sd Judgt. Ship in excellent order. Srongly recd. | Capt. Fox | ||||
| 11.16 | Sat | Expl | a | Exceptional Destroyer Offr - every neessary qualification. | Capt. Coode | ||
| 3.5.19 | Sat | Ex | (b) | Exceedingly sealous & capable C.O. Has brought his vessel highly efficient. Fine personality. G. Leader & disciplinarian. G. judgement. Ex capable ship handler. | V/A Keyes | ||
| Special Reports or Service |
| Source: ADM 196/47 - Service History |
| Landed at Cape - to accompany Major Peile RML as ??? (Tel 17 Mch/00) |
| Left for England 15 Oct 00 in SS "Lake Erie" |
| Arrived in England 10 Nov 00 |
| A.L.N. 18142/01 of 2.1.02 - Excused writing up log & journal for period 28 Feb 00 to 15 Dec 00, whilst landed with Naval Brigade & on passage home. |
| NH 26/02 Joined R.N. College for study 21 Jan 1902 |
| L. 15212 5 Nov 02 Reported for having with other created a disturbance in Tea Room of RN Coll Ports causing damage to extent of £7-10/0 |
| NL 4292 Mch 03 Conduct to compln of courses generally satisfactory. Cap. Barrow |
| Watchkeeping certificate granted March 04 |
| Return to England |
| 1/05 Noted to qual in G duties |
| NL12210/08 Blame due in connection with dangerous night firing of TB 14, shots falling ashore at Bembridge. Cautioned. |
| NL 6308/09 Very sat Inspn of TB 14 Nov 08 |
| Very sat inspn TB14 by Capt Tyrwhitt N.L. 10752/9/09 |
| To exchange tempy with Lt. Callaghan of Racehorse 7/9/10 |
| NL 11168 Sep 10 Very satis Inspn of Vulture TL apprecn expressed |
| Subject to passing necy exams within 3 mths |
| Ct. of Inquiry to investigate punishment of a leading signalman of "Scorpion" - informed that T.L.s are highly displeased with his conduct (losing his temper and making use of improper and exasperating language to a subordinate); warned to be more careful of his language in future. N.L. 3733/11 |
| N.L. 9882/11 Satis inspn of Scorpion |
| NL 7614 July 12 Vy Satis Inspn of Scorpion excpr drill |
| NL 6633 Jan 13 Satis Inspn of Scorpion |
| Recd addl by Adl Callaghan Oct 13 |
| Recd by V Adl Carden Oct 14 |
| Approached within 1000 yards of E. 15 wne grounded in an attempt to destroy her under heavy fire at close range (operations 19.3.15 24.4.15 M. 03928/15) |
| MO 1332/16 An officer of the Destroyer Flotilla specially recommended for good services performed |
| Commended for service in action. Dardinelles to 20/26 April 1915. Ran his destroyer close in shore after dark on night of 4th March 1915 & sent whalers ashore to bring off officers & men after landing operations in a skilful manner. ?Gazette? 16.8.15 (MO 2657/15) |
| Mentioned for service during Gallipoli landing. 20/26 April 1915 |
| Carried out minesweeping operations inside Dardinelles in saty manner, frequently under heavy fire. Gazette 16.8.15 MO 533/15 |
| Recd. for promotion 6.16 VA de Robeck |
| CW 56852/18 Granted Belgian Croix de Guerre Gaz. 17.1.19 |
| C.W. 2174/19 Awarded Bar to D.S.O. for services in Destroyers of the Dover Patrol between 1.7 & 11.11.18 Gazette 20.2.19 |
| For details see Gazette of 2.5.9 |
| Invested by the King with Bar to D.S.O. at Buckingham Palace on 31.7.19 |
N.L. 2980/19 Report of ????? of H.M.S. Seafire on 15.7.19 speed combined with shallow water direct cause. Cautioned as to care when in difficult navaigational waters; no further disciplinary action |
| CW 1259/20 Awarded a Second Bar to D.S.O. for distinguished services in Command of H.M.S. Seafire in the Baltic 1919 Gaz 8.3.20 |
| Recd for promotion Dec 1919 - Cdre Tweedie & R/Ad Cowan |
| 19/8/20 Noted for S.O.'s Technical Course |
| Tel to Naval Control Berlin 1.10.20 Leaving Grimsby for Hamburg & Heligoland p.m. 2.10.20 |
| Mentioned in Despatches Gaz 14.3.16 |
| 4.10.21 Admtd Chatham, Haemordoids, 1 month |
| 18.10.21 Placed on Victory 28 days ??? 4.10.21 to 31.10.21 incl |
| 21.11.21 Dischgd fit |
| Appln for SO courses 1922 noted 26.11.21 |
| 28.11.21 Contd on Victory 20 days ???? from 1.11.21 to 20.11.21 incl |
| for ????? 2 months from 21.11.21 (date of discharge) at Chatham |
| 12.12.21 Contd on Victory 43 days ???? 21.11.21 to 2.1.22 |
| 30.1.22 ?Survey? ??? at Queensferry forthwith |
| 6.2.22 Resurveyed at South Queensferry & found fit |
| 17/2/22 Contd on ??? Victory for 34 days ???? 3/1/22 - 5.2.22 Incl |
| ?NIACC? ALCW / M 42301/22 of 2.9.22 |
| 8 days leave from 14/4/24 approved |
| NL 5754/23 Wallace inspection Report 19/10/23 by RA (D) Brand. Great credit for the efficiency, cleanliness & good order in all depts. is due to C.O. |
| CW2465/26 Sick on shore 6.3.26- in nursing home in Edinburgh - 3 weeks |
| Resumed duty 3/4/26 |
| N>1131/26 apptd Admy representative on Dundee Harbour Trust & ?Forth? Conservancy Board vice Captain A Cochrane 1/4/26 |
| NL1419/26 succeeded by Rear Adl ?Bowing? 2/6/26 |
| Joined Army School Sheerness 1/10/28 |
| CW 5838/30 FO infd no ?? to acceptance of Icelandic Decoration (Order of Icelandic Falcon) provided King granted permisson to accept & wear it. |
| CW 10900/30 - Admitted Plymouth Hospital 15/12/30 Discharged for 10 weeks sick leave on 16/12/30 for treaatment (at ?????????) |
| Resurvey AT Haslar 24/2/31 |
| CW 1959/31 Found fit 24/2/31 |
| CW 1959/31 Placed on Victory for ?fpsl? for the period 27/1/31 to 23/2/31 incl |
| CW 2343/31 - ??? on Victory for ??? for the period 24/2/31 to 27/5/31 incl |
| Resume? at ?Stanlie? on 28/5/31 |
| CW 5756/31 - Found fit 28/5/31 |
| M. 02266/36 Mentioned by C in C Med. for exceptional services during the emergency 1935/3 |
| M.F./M.D.0/10376/35 Secret. O.A. G./37 To be chairman of Committee to consider various questions of ventilation in warships |
| CW 2101/37 To be paid ??? & ??? expenses while at SOTC, and afterwards Comttee pay & allcs for duty with Ventilation Cmttee |
| See Daily List of 29.12.37 as to cessation of "temporary" command |
| Invested with K.C.B. at B. Palace 14.2.1939 |
| Awarded G.C.B. for the powerful supporting and offensive operations conducted by the Fleet in the operations under his able leadership without which the brilliant victories of the Imperial Armies in North Africa could never have been won. |
| Gazette 11.6.42 Baronetcy conferred |
| Gazette 1.1.45 Knight of the most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle |
| Gazette 17.8.45 Created Baron |
| Gazette 1.1.46 Created Viscount |
| Gazette 13.6.46 Awarded Order of Merit (Birthday Honours) |
| Supp Gaz 11/4/47 Citation on Book 26/217 |
| Captain's Confidential Reports | ||
| Source: ADM 196/91 -Captain's Confidential Report | ||
Date |
Remarks | Reporting Officer |
| Gaz 13:8:15 | Commended for service in action between 19:2:15 & 24:4:15 Dardinelles | V/A De Robeck 14:3:16 |
| Jan 16 | Destructn of sunken vessels at "V" & "IO" Beaches Gallipoli Peninsula. Mentd for taking part in the opern wh was carried out wityh the highest precision & good judgmt. | |
| June 1916 | V/A de Robeck recd fot promtn (*) | |
| Nov 1916 | Sat exceptl. A most exceptl Dest offr possessing every necess qualificn. His assistance & advice to me invaluable. A fine example to others. Always cheery & always ready. Has rendered excellent service throughout the war. I cannot speak too highly of him. | Capt. Coode |
| 20:2:19 | Gaz 20:2:19 Awarded Bar to D.S.O. for service in Dov. Pat. | |
| 17:3:19 | Sat Ex ab Spec recded for avancet. An exceedingly zealous and capable C.O. Has brought his vessel to a high state of efficiency. A fine personality. Good leader & disciplinarian & has good judgmt. An exceptionally capable ship handler. | Capt Tomkinson |
| 17:3:19 | A very fine offr who shd do well in the higher ranks of the service. | V/A Keyes |
| Sept 1919 | Grounding of HMS "Seafire" 15:7:19 cautiond by Ad Madden to be more careful when in difficult navigational waters. | |
| Dec 1919 | Cdre Tweedie recd for promn (7) Dec 1919 R/A Cowan recd for promn (1) | |
| 8:3:20 | Gazette 8:3:20 Second Bar to D.S.O. for distinguished services in comd of "Seafire" | |
| 24.10.21 | Capable & tactful. Has supervised the completion of the work of destruction of fortifications & war harbour of Heligoland with complete success, enabling the Sub Commission situated there to be withdrawn at a much earlier date than was anticipated. | Adm Charlton |
| Apr 1923 | An excellent Destroyer offr. Very able, energetic & efficient. Strong personality, but not very tactful with juniors. Ability above average. | R/A Waistell |
| 19.10.23 | Inspn of Wallace by R/A Baird who considers great credit to Capt. C for the efficiency, cleanliness & good order in all departments of the ship. | R/A Baird |
| July 1924 | Most exceptional ability & has kept his Flotilla in
the highest state of efficiency. His seamanlike qualities havew been brought
to my notice on several occasions, especially when he got HMS Warwick
off a lee shore in Gutter Sound in a very heavy gale in Sept 1923. He
has great comd of men, initiative & tact, as well as being quick in
action in emergency/ I have no hesitation in saying that he will do well
in the higher ranks. Adm de Robeck entirely agrees with this report and adds "He proved himself a vg Comdr of Destroyers in the war. |
R/A (D) G. Baird |
| 10/24 to 6/25 | Has carried out his duties most satisfactorily. Is a strict disciplinarian & has greatly improved the general attitude & discipline at Port Edgar. He is very hardworking & very popular with both officers and men. Recomd for more important seagoing ship, also for employt as Flag Offr afloat or ashore. | V/A Tyrwhitt |
| 10.11.26 | V Satisfactory inspn of Calcutta. | V/A Cowan |
| 16.11.27 | Inspn of Calcutta by Adm Cowan who remarks "It would be hard to achieve a higher state of efficiency or morale than has been found in Calcutta. | V/A Cowan |
| 6/26 to 7/28 | Exceptional. As a Capt. of a ship & leader of men in peace or war. I have not met this offr's equal amongst his contemporaries. As a C.O.S. he has infinite tact, discrimination & worldly wisdom, besides having a v. wide & thorough knowledge of the Service in all its branches and invariably correct judgment. He has an instinctive aptitude for handling ships of squadrons & for very quickly grasping a tactical or strategic situation. Has a sound & comprehensive knowledge of G & T also of the Training Service. His nerve, health, endurance & temper are never failing, & he wins the confidence & regard of every class of foreigner with whom he is thrown, as well as those under his command in the squadron. I ahve learnt to rely on & trust this offr beyond anyone else who has ever served under me, still living. Recommended for employt as F.O. afloat. | Adm Cowan |
| 20:12:29 | An offr with sound knowledge & balanced views which he expresses clearly & concisely either on paper of verbally. He will be a good staff of but I can say much more. During the year no offr. has impressed me more by his personality & strength of character and though I have never seen him when charged with executive duties, I should pick him out as a natural leader of high order. | Maj. Gen. Bartholomew Commandant of the Imperial Defence College |
| 12/29 to 5/30 | (c) - above average: (e), (g), (li) - exceptional. A very fine offr who should also make a fine admiral. A strong character but with a pleasing personality. Determined without being obstinate. A student of naval affairs & also a practical seaman. I consider he is marked out for higher responsibilities. (k) & (l ii) - Yes. Definitely recommended for employment as a Flag Officer, | Adm Chatfield |
| May to Dec 1930 | (c), (d) exceptional; rest above average. An outstanding offr. As Capt. of Rodney, I have always had complete confidence that he would do the right thing at the right time. Handles his ship fearlessly & with excellent judgment & is a first class seaman. 'Rodney' is in first class condition - a happy & efficient unit of the fleet. I have no hesitation in giving it as my opinion that he will make a first rate F.O. Strong character, popular with everybody, plays games & keeps himself extremely fit. (k) & (m) - Yes. | Adm Hodges |
| 6/7/31 to 29/1/33 | (c) - (h) 9; (j) - Yes; (l) exceptional; (m) Yes. Rear-Admiral Cunningham has served as Commodore R.N. Barracks for the last 18 months. He is a very outstanding officer - a strict disciplinarian and a just one. He leaves the Barracks in a very high state of efficiency and I know his departure will be greatly regretted by all who know him. He has a charming manner and is an officer with an assured career. I can only speak personally of his qualities on shore, of which I cannot speak too highly, but there are plenty who will vouch for his seagoing abilities. | Adml Sir R Tyrwhitt |
| Rear Admiral A.B. Cunningham, C.B., D.S.O. This officer is eminently suitable for the rank of Vice Admiral and above. He has all the qualities enumerated in para. 4 of Admiralty letter C.W. 2569/31 of 26th March, 1931, and I consider him likely to succeed to the command of one of the Main Fleets and to be qualified for a sea on the Board. Of the thirty-nine Rear-Admirals (im Thurn to Calvert) I would place Rear Admiral Cunningham in the first five and I award him a percentage of 95. (Sgd.) W.W. FISHER Admiral |
||
| A Flag Officer of the finest quality. He possesses all the
attributed of a Commander-in-Chief of the Main Fleet to an exceptional
degree. Wherever he leads his officers and men will follow in implicit trust. They know, as I know, that he will lead to victory. |
Sir W.W. Fisher | |
| 1934 | C.B. Birthday 1934 | |
| Italio - Abyssinian dispute 1935-36 Brought to the notice of Their Lordships by Admiral Sir. W.W. Fisher, C-in-C Mediterranean, for the exceptional services rendered during the Italio - Abyssinian dispute 1935-36, as follows: "In Admiral Cunningham I had a born leader & the Destroyer forces & Flotillas knew it. He combines sagacity with great dash & these qualities he has consistently shown not only during the last few months but in many important exercises that we have carried out together for the last two yers. M. 02266/36 |
||
| 9 Septmeber 1938 | Vice Admiral A.B. Cunningham, C.B., D.S.O. 9th September, 1938 A sea officer of the highest capabilities. Has been an exceptionally good second-in-command of the Mediterranean Fleet and has been of the greatest assistance to me. Has done very well whenever he has been in command of one side in Fleet Exercises. A strong and determined character and a proved leader. There is no doubt that Vice Admiral Cunningham is fitted in all respects for the highest commands afloat and his appointment as D.C.N.S. will show whether he is also fitted for the highest administrative appointments. (Sgd.) DUDLEY POUND. Admiral |
|
| 1939 | K.C.B. New Year 1939 | |
| 1941 | G.C.B. February 1941 | |
| 1942 | Created a Baronet - Birthday Honours 1942 | |
| ?17/11/42? | Mention in Despatches for gallant distinguished service in Middle East (L.G. 17/11/42) | |
| 26/1/43 | Distinguished Service Medal awarded by the President of the U.S.A. for services as Naval Commander Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in the N. African campaign. (L.G. 26/1/43) | |
| 20.4.43 | Mention in Despatches for distinguished services in the operation which led to the landing of Allied Forces in N. Africa (20.4.43) | |
| Chief Commander of Legion of Merit - President of the U.S.A. | ||
| 15.10.43 | First Sea Lord & Chief of Naval Staff in succession to AF Sir A. Dudley Pound | 15.10.43 |
| Sources | ||
| 1 | ADM 196/47 - Service History | National Archives |
| 2 | ADM 196/91 - Captain's Confidential report | National Archives |
| 3 | Times, 13 June 1963 | Worcestershire County Council Library Service |
| 4 | London Gazette (various dates) | www.gazettes-online.co.uk |