NAVAL POST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23791, 19 October 1940, Page 11

NAVAL POST

HOME FLEET COMMAND ADMIRAL J. C. TOVEY NEW APPOINTMENTS MADE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Receved October 19, 12.30 a.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 18 Vice-Admiral John C. Tovey becomes Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, with the acting rank of Admiral, from December 2, in succession to Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes, according to the latest Admiralty orders. Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Harwood becomes a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and Assistant. Chief of th®

Naval Staff. He succeeds, as from December 2, Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake, who has been selected for special duty inside the Admiralty.

Sir Henry Harwood, who has also been appointed to H.M.S. President (London depot) for duty inside the Admiralty, as from November 18, will co-operate with the First Sea Lord in implementing naval strategy and operations.

Admiral John Cronyn Tovey, the new Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet, is 55 years of age and has had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy. He lield the rank of lieutenant at the outbreak of the last war and was in command of the destroyer Onslow at the Battle of Jutland. He was responsible for a gallant feat when he engaged a German light cruiser at point-blank range and later dashed at a squadron of enemy battle-cruisers at which, he launched his torpedoes. His little ship was badly damaged but survived the action and Lieutenant Tovey was awarded the D.S.O. After the war he was promoted captain and held various commands sea until 1930, when he was appointed Naval Assistant to the Second Sea Lord. Two years later he was given command of H.M.S. Rodney and at the end of 1934 he was promoted Commodore and placed in charge of the Royal Naval Barracks at Chatham. At the outbreak of the present Admiral Tovev was Rear-Admiral Com-

manding Destroyer Flotillas, Mediterranean Fleet, a post which he had held since 1935.

His predecessor as Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles, Forbes, has held that appointment since 1935. He is 60 years of age. The other senior naval officers mentioned in the latest Admiralty orders both have associations with New Zealand —Rear-Admiral Sir Henry Haywood as Commodore commanding the light cruiser force, including the New Zealand ship H.M.S. Achilles, which scored the memorable victory over the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee in the Battle of the River Plate last December; arid Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Blake as a former Commodore commanding the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy. liceAdmiral Blake retired from the Navy a few years ago owing to ill-health, but shortly after the outbreak of war he was recalled for duty at, the Admiralty.

FRENCH COLONIES BRITISH ECONOMIC AID British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 17, The measure of economic support which Britain is to give in the Free French possessions in Africa is disclosed in reports of a series of agreements made between Britain and the French authorities in Africa who have joined General de Gaulle. They will enable the latter to dispose of their principal products and so maintain their trade. AID FOR DE GAULLE (Received October IS, 5.5 p.m.) British Wireless LONDON, Oct. 17 General de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, has accepted an offer of American field services to provide ambulances and volunteer drivers. PARLIAMENT'S TERM EXTENSION IN BRITAIN LONDON. Oct. 17 The Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, in the House of Commons, gave notice to introduce a bill to extend the duration of the present Parliament for a year. This Parliament was elected in November, 1935, and normally would b© dissolved next month.