| Examinations |
| Source: ADM 196/45 - Service History |
Passed in Seamanship
Jan 00, 1st Cl. Cert 932 marks |
| Passed College, Part I Apr
00, 2nd Cl Cert. 901 marks |
| Passed College, Part II
June 00, 1st Cl Cert. 1642 marks |
| Passed Pilotage Oct 00,
1st Cl Cert. 946 marks |
| Passed Gunnery Jan 01, 1st
Cl Cert. 887 marks |
| Passed Torpedo Mch 01, 1st
Cl Cert. 177 marks |
| Service / Appointments History |
| Ship |
Station |
Date of
appointment |
Date of
discharge |
Cause |
Source |
| Britannia |
T Ship |
15 July 94 |
11 Sept 96 |
Magnificent |
1 |
| Magnificent |
Chan' Squadron |
11 Sept 96 |
1 June 97 |
?Superience? |
1 |
| ?Superience? |
Pacific |
1 June 97 |
|
|
1 |
| Majestic |
Ch Sq |
24 Oct 99 |
15 Jan 00 |
Coll |
1 |
| ?Sans Parel? lent |
??? |
10 July ?00? |
|
|
1 |
| ?Sent for ??? tempy |
|
14 Mar 01 |
24 May 01 |
R Oak |
1 |
| Royal Oak |
Medn |
24 May 01 |
14 Sep 01 |
RO as Lt |
1 |
| Royal Oak |
Medn |
14 Sept 01 |
----02 |
Aboukir |
1 |
| Aboukir |
Medn |
-----02 |
|
|
1 |
| Excellent addl to qualify as (G) Lieut |
|
30.9.02 |
18.6.04 |
Staff |
1 |
| Leopard in Commd, lent for Manrs |
|
21.7.03 |
18.8.03 |
Xlent |
1 |
| ?Caulridge? Junior Staff Asst |
|
18.6.04 |
3.1.05 |
|
1 |
| Qual in cd lent T.B. Manes |
|
14.7.04 |
|
|
1 |
| Blake (G) |
Dev |
3.1.05 |
18.1.05 |
|
1 |
| ?Caulridge? Junior Staff G |
|
18.1.05 |
20.3.05 |
|
1 |
| Blake (G) |
Dev |
20.3.05 |
28.5.05 |
P.O. |
1 |
| Carnarvon (G) |
2 Cr |
29.5.05 |
17.2.08 |
|
1 |
| Vivid for RN Bks (G) |
Dev |
17.2.08 |
5.5.08 |
|
1 |
| Dominion (G) |
Chan |
5.5.08 |
6.6.10 |
|
1 |
| Albion (G) |
|
24-6-10 |
???? |
|
1 |
| Sullej? (G) addl for record party with I.T.P. |
|
2.8.10 |
12.10.10 |
|
1 |
| President (G) addl record party with I.T.P. |
|
12.10.10 |
12.12.10 |
H.P. |
1 |
| Excellent (G) to requaly |
|
5.1.11 |
18.2.11 |
|
1 |
Hannibal (G) tempy |
|
16.2.11 |
Cand |
|
1 |
| Superb (1st of G) |
H.F. |
18.2.11 |
8.1.13 |
Supd |
1 |
| Excellent addl & for Experimental duties |
|
3.3.13 |
|
|
1 |
| Experimental Duties |
|
3.2.13 |
13.11.14 |
|
2 |
| Victory for Queen Elizabeth |
|
14.11.14 |
14.11.14 |
|
1 |
| Queen Elizabeth on comg |
|
14 |
9.10.15 |
|
1 |
| Q. Elizabeth |
|
14.11.14 |
8.10.15 |
|
2 |
| Iron Duke as Flag Commander to Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe
& War Staff duties |
|
9.10.15 |
28.11.16 |
|
1 |
| Iron Duke |
|
9.10.15 |
27.11.16 |
|
2 |
| Marlborough as Flag Cdr to Adml Sir CE Madden & for W/A
duties |
|
28.11.16 |
|
|
1 |
| ???linger as Flag Cdr to Adml Sir CE Madden & for W/A
duties |
|
2-17 |
|
|
1 |
| ?Queen? addl as Capt on the staff pf Adl Sir CE Madden |
|
30.6.17 |
10.7.17 |
|
1 |
| Reapptd Revenge as Capt. on Staff of Adm. Madden |
|
30.6.17 |
10.7.17 |
|
2 |
| Galatea |
|
10.7.17 |
8.19 |
Supd |
1 |
| |
|
14.8.19 |
|
2 |
| President as Naval Member of the Ordnance Committee |
|
25.10.19 |
7.3.21 |
|
1 |
| |
|
6.3.21 |
|
2 |
| Granted permission to proceed to Denmark, Norway & Sweden
on leave from 19.7120 to 14.8.20 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
| President addl for R.N. Staff College |
|
7.3.21 |
8/7/21 |
Ind |
1 |
| War Course |
|
7.3.21 |
|
|
2 |
| President addl for R.N. Staff College Greenwich |
|
9/7/21 |
|
|
1 |
| & as Deputy Director of the Staff College, Greenwich |
|
1/8/21 |
28.6.23 |
Supd |
1 |
| Queen Elizabeth in comd & as Flag Capt to Adml Sir John
de Robeck G.C.B., K.C.M.G. C in C Atlantic Fleet |
|
28.6.23 |
|
|
1 |
| Queen Elizabeth in cd. on recommg |
|
24.9.24 |
|
|
1 |
| Iron Duke in cd & as Flag Capt to Rear Adml
H.D.R. Watson CB, CVO, CBE on transfer |
|
25.10.24 |
29.5.25 |
Supd |
1 |
| |
|
4/25 |
|
2 |
| President alld. |
|
24.6.25 |
|
|
2 |
| President addl for duty inside Admy as DNO Vice Blount |
|
23.7.25 |
23.7.28 |
Supd |
1 |
| A.D.C. |
|
7.4.28 |
|
|
2 |
Tactical Course |
|
5.5.30 |
Cancelled |
|
1 |
| Rear Admiral (D) Comdg Destroyer Flotilla of
Medn Fleet (to assume cd abt) |
|
1/8/30 |
13.12.31 |
|
1 |
| |
|
20.11.31 |
|
2 |
| President addl for duty inside Adlty r |
|
1.2.32 |
|
|
1 |
| & a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and Controller |
|
1.3.32 |
supd abt 22.Apr 34 |
|
1 / 4 |
| 3S.L. & Controller |
|
1.3.32 |
|
|
2 |
V.A.C. 1BS & 2nd in Cd Mediterranean in succession to
V. Ad Sir RRC Blackhouse to date abt Apr 34 |
|
23.4.34 |
|
|
1 |
| DL 9/2/34 To assume cd |
|
21.5.34 |
|
|
1 |
| V/A Cmdg 1st Battle Sqdn. |
|
23.4.34 |
25.7.36 |
|
2 |
| & 2nd in cmd Medn. |
|
21.5.36 |
|
|
2 |
| Re-apptd on promotion |
|
19.8.36 |
Supd |
26.8.36 |
1 |
To be C in C Home Fleet in succession to Adml. Sir Roger
R.C. Blackhouse to date March 38
(DL 7/10/37) (AO DL 25/1) |
|
12.4.38 |
2-12-40 |
|
1 |
| Re-apptd on promotion (DL 8/5) |
|
8.5.40 |
2-12-40 |
|
1 |
| 25/11. To be C in C Plymouth in succession to Adml. Sir
Martin E. Dunbar Nasmith VC, KCB |
|
1.5.41 |
24.8.43 |
Supd
DL 22/6 |
1 |
| Reports |
| Source: ADM 196/45 |
| 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 98 |
VG |
VG |
VG |
Yes |
|
Zealous |
Captain Kirby |
| Jan 99 |
VG |
VG |
VG |
Yes |
Draws & Sketches |
Very Zealous |
Captain Adair |
| Apr 02 |
VGI |
VGI |
VG |
Yes |
|
Sealous, good judgment &
physical qualities |
Capt. Prothero |
| Apr 06 |
VGI |
VGI |
VGI |
Yes |
|
Recd for early advt. as
a very able young officer |
Capt. Warender |
| Apr 07 |
VGI |
VGI |
VGI |
Yes |
|
Zealous & most capable.
Recd |
Capt de Robeck |
| 2/08 |
VGI |
VGI |
VGI (G) |
Yes |
|
Zealous & reliable |
Capt de Robeck |
| 1/10 |
VGI |
VGI |
VGI (G) |
Yes |
|
Zealous & capable. Recd. |
Capt de Robeck |
| 6/10 |
VGI |
VG |
VGI (G) |
Yes |
|
V. zealous |
Singer |
| 5.11 |
All VGI Yes Gd Phys Capt Heath |
| 9.11 |
All VGI Yes. Very able & successful
G Officer Capt ?Gaunt? |
| 8.15 |
Satis |
Except. |
Zealous & able offr. Capable.
Good Physique. Good sportsman |
Capt. Singer |
| 10.16 |
Satis |
Ab. Av. |
V Capable officer. Great knowledge
of Gunnery. VP Ex Offe zealous & hd wkg. Recd. |
Adl Jellicoe |
| Special Reports or Service |
| Source: ADM 196/45 - Service History |
| 15 Jan 1898
From Phaeton to Impreuse - C in C |
| 9 Feb 1900 Joined College
to study in Navigation |
| N/N.P. 1286/01 paid command
?money? ???? rate 2/- a day |
| 18 Mar 4 ???? |
| 11 Sept 01 awarded cert
of efficiency Capt Prothero |
| Selected to qualify for
G lieutenant 1902 Arrived in ENgland 8.8.02 |
| G 7454 Contributed to Good
Battle Practice Carnarvon 1905 |
| Granted leave from 3 to
31 Mch 09 to be married & leave to continent from 4th t0 31 Mch |
| Appt to President (G) addl
for duty with ITP antedated from 12th to 6th October to prevent HP for
6 days |
| Recd (asal) by Vaal ?Sluille?
(endorsed by Adl Callagham) Decr 1912 |
| G 16463/13 Specially contributed
to good results of "Superb" in Heavy GL test 1912 |
| G 11296/13 Specially contributed
to good Battle Practice of "Superb" 1912 |
| M 05331/15 Mentioned ?by?
Captain of Q Elizabeth for services between 25th April & 3rd May 1915 |
?????? Battle Gaz 18.9.16
??? ?Cdg? Lieut Cdr who always afforded me great assistance Adlm Jellicoe |
| Decorated D.S.O. at Bickingham
Palace 5.2.17 |
| Entitled to cmd money of
5/- per diem from date of appointment as Captain & 12/- pd on apptmt
to Galatea |
| Recd by Adm Madden, June
1917 |
| N.L. 45057/18 Loss of C.B.
1182 S Germany Navy Book, apparently destroyed in error. Informed by R.A.C.
1st L.C.S. Sufficient care not taken to account for secret & confidential
books 18.9.18 |
| Mentioned in Despatches
Gaz 6.7.16 |
| Mentioned in despatches
Gazette 9.4.20 |
| Vacated appt. as Deputy
Director Staff College Greenwich 27 June. Captain Astley-Rushton, the
Director states, "His duties as Dy. Director comprised inter alia
the preparation and revision of all schemes, as task which demands unremitting
attention and quiet industry. The demands upon his time in connection
with the Combined Scheme carried out at Camberly in March last was especially
exacting. Capt. Forbes' ??perimal? qualities are too well known to require
any comment from me, but I may be permitted to place on recd my appreciation
not only of the manner in which he carried out the above mentioned duties
but also of the loyal unstinted support which he gave to me, his contemporary
in the Service" Vice Adml Hope in forwarding the forgoing adds "Captain
Forbes did valuable work at the Staff College & will be much missed".
July 1923 C.W. 7017/23 |
| G.D. 4603/24 T.L.s apprecn
conveyed on Queen Elizabeth winning 15" competitive firing of 1st
Battle Squadron on 19/3/24 |
| N 1252/29 Appointed President
of Committee to examine the Communication requirements of the Fleet |
| October 1929 C in C Med
for exceptional services during Emergency 1935/6 |
| X Jutland Battle Gaz 15.9.16
"?Key? Flag Cdr who has always afforded me great assistance"
Admiral Jellicoe/ |
| Flag Struck in Nelson 2/12/40
HF 2250/30/4 |
| C.W. 2056/41 Full pay as
Admiral of the Fleet between appts. C in C. Home Fleet & C in C Plymouth |
| Sig C in C Plymouth 1119/
1/5/41 Assumed Command of Plymouth Station in succession to Admiral Sir
Martin E Dunbar-Nasmith V.C. KCB - 1-5-41 |
| Captain's Confidential Reports |
| Source: ADM 196/90 -Captain's Confidential
Report |
Date
 |
Remarks |
Reporting Officer
|
| 5.8.14 |
Sat. Exceptl. For experimental duties is a v. zealous &
able offr in every way. Thoroughly capable of dealing with the latest
patters of guns & mountings. G. physique & g. sportsman. |
Catp. Singer |
| May 1915 |
Specially mentioned for services in Dardinelles operations
by C.O. Q. ELIZA. |
|
15.9.16 |
Gaz 15.9.16 R'mended by Ad. Jellicoe for honour for service
in B of Jutld My Flag Cdr. who has always afforded me great assistance.
This offr was Exec. Offr. of Queen ELIZA. during the whole period the
ship was employd at the Dardinelles. Awarded DSO. |
|
| 4.10.16 |
Sat. Above av. Fitted for promotn now. A v. capable offr.
Possesses a great knowledge of Gunnery, sound & practical & a
v.g. exec. offr. Most zealous & hardwrkng. Active & strong physically. |
Ad. Jellicoe |
| June 17 |
Ad. Maddent r'mends for promn (1) |
Ad. Madden |
| 31.7.17 |
An offr of exceptional energy, ability & strength of
character. He has performed his G. & Staff duties to my entire satisn.
Capt. F. will do well in any appt. in wh. it may please T.L. to employ
him. Hi s G. knowledge and powers of organizn are exceptional. |
Adm. Sir C. Madden |
| 4.5.19 |
A thoroughly experienced, well trained & efficient Capt.
in every degree of his profession. & his services for 2 years with
me have been invaluable. Gunnery. |
R. Adm. W. Cowan |
| 5.7.22 |
Most energetic & able offr. Always cheerful: easy and
pleasant to work with & popular with everyone. Has performed duties
of Deputy Director with much skill & entire success. Hunts regularly
& good at games. Exceptional ability. No opportunity for remarking
on executive duties afloat. |
Capt. Drax
(Dir. of Staff Coll.) |
| 9.7.23 |
On vacating post of Dep. Dir. of Staff Coll. the Director
(Capt. Astley-Rushton) records his apprecn of the manner in which Capt.
F has carried out his duties at Greenwich & of the loyal support given
him at all times. |
Capt. Astley-Rushton |
| 9.7.23 |
Capt. Forbes did valuable work at the Staff Coll., &
will be much missed. |
V/A Sir G. Hope |
| 26.5.24 |
T.L. apprecn expressed to Capt. F. on winning 15-inch competitive
firings by Q.E. & ships of 1st B.S. on 19.3.24. (M/G. D 4603/24) |
|
| 6/23 - 8/24 |
V.G. Capt of Battleship. Has shown great zeal & ability
in developing the efficiency of the ship, especially in G.: also in the
working of the Divisional system which has proved such a great succecss
in the Q. Elizabeth. He shd. do very well in higher comds. later in his
career. A valuable offr. with high G. knowledge. Recomd. |
Adm. de Robeck. |
| 10/24 - 5/25 |
An extraordinarily able offr. in all respects both as Capt.
of a battleship & as C.S.O. He will make a very valuable Flag Offr.
Most able in dealing with personnel; close knowledge of materiel. Excellent
tactical & strategic appreciation. ((d) & (e) of Report ansd in
affermative.) |
Rear-Adm Watson |
| |
Concur and thnk Capt. F will make an able Flag Offr. |
Adm Brock |
| 7/25 - 7/28 |
Exceptional. An exceptional D.N.O. During a most harrowing
period of G. production in all its branches, he has acted with great wisdom
& a judgment that has inspired my complete confidence. Probably the
ablest G. Offr. on the materiel side in this or any other service. Safe
rather than imaginitive & prefers to advance cautiously, step by step.
For this reason I doubt his special suitability for the N. Staff but he
would make in all probability a brilliant Controller & a fine Flag
Offr. for empoyment in which he is recomd afloat or ashore. |
V/A Chatfield |
| |
Concur and adds as Comdr on my staff at sea Capt Forbes
performed excellent service. |
Adm. of the Fleet Sir C. Madden (1 S.L.) |
| Feb 1929 |
Chairman of Cee investigating system for promoting offrs.
on and after retirement. |
|
| 1929 |
Birthday Honours awarded C.B. |
|
| 16.12.31 |
Has admirably fulfilled his duties as R/A (D). He is of
good physique, energetic & a hard worker with very high abilities
as a seaman & as a technician, & a good disciplinarian. He has
se a high standard in every respect to those under his command. He is
fit for higher command at sea. As an analysis of his personality &
characteristics, I consider he is generally of a cautious & somewhat
conservative nature, better at consolidating a position than at capturing
it. He is naturally inclined to analyse new views critically rather than
to espouse them readily. He is, in fact, safe & sure rather than brilliant
but in saying this I do not intend to detract from the fact that his abilities
are of a high order. |
Adm. Chatfield |
| Jan 33 |
A v. conscientious & able Controller with technical
ability of a high order. A strong personaility. Possesses sound judgment. |
Adm. Field (1 S.L.) |
| 1935 |
K.C.B. Birthday 1935 |
|
| 19.3.36 |
A good seaman who handles his squadron with assurance &
skill. Cheerful buoyant temperament, exceptional technical knowledge,
most painstaking & thorough in all he does. He has been the greatest
help to me & as Second in Command has relieved me of an immense amount
of detailed but important work. He has shown himself eminently suitable
for the appointment he has held & I look forward to his eventually
commanding one of the Principal Fleets for which he has shown himself
eminently qualified. |
Adml. Sir W.W. Fisher |
| 21.9.36 |
My predecessor, Sir William Fisher, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., will
have ???? on Vuce-Admiral Sir Charles M. Forbes, K.C.B., D.S.O., &,
as he had 18 months' experienceof him under all conditions, his opinion
should carry much greater weight than anything I could say after only
5 months. I should like to add, however, that during these 5 months he
proved himself a most loyal second in command & his very sound judgment
always made his advice of great assistance to me. He undoubtedly fitted
for a more important sea command. |
Admiral Sir Dudley Pound |
| 1935/36 |
Italio-Abyssinian dispute 1935/36
Brought to the notice of Their Lordships by Admiral Sir W. Fisher, Commander-in-Chief,
Mediterranean, for the exceptional services rendered during the Italio-Abyssinian
dispute 1935/36, as follows:-
"As my Second in Command he was responsible for the verthing of the
Fleet in Alexandria, for the routine duties of the port, and for co-odrinating
all practice requirements in addition to command of the First Battle Squadron.
To him more than to anyone else is due the smooth working of a large Fleet
with a great number of auxilliaries in an improvised Base without undue
interference to its important commercial activities.His common-sense,
unvarying cheerfulness and unswerving loyalty were assets of immense importance
to us. M. 02266/36 |
Adm. W.W. Fisher |
| 1940 |
G.C.B. (Military) Birthday 1940 |
|
