COMMODORE BEAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3768, 1 June 1926, Page 56

COMMODORE BEAL.

SUCCESSOR APPOINT’,))

(From Ocb Own Correspondent.) LONDON, April 16. Tire choice of a successor to Commodore A. F. Beal, C.M.G., as Commodore, 2nd Class, for duty as First Naval Member of the Royal New Zealand Naval Board and as Commodore in command of the Royal New Zealand Naval Station, has fallen upon Captain George T C. I\ Swabey, D. 5.0., who is at present the Captain of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich. He will hoist his broad pennant in the cruiser Dunedin about August 23 next. The new commodore has had a brilliant career. lie was born on January 22, 18S1, and entered the Royal Navy on January 13, 1893. He was awarded the Ryder Prize for French in 1900, and a £lO prize for obtaining five First Class Certificates in the examination for lieutenant. Again, in 1905, he was awarded the £2O prize for obtaining the highest marks in Advanced Gunnery. He qualified as Specialist Officer in Gunnery in August. 1904, and qualified War Staff in July, 1914. In June of 1913 he was promoted to Commander, and he obtained captain’s rank in June, 1918. He served in Gallipoli from December 1914, as Naval Observation Ollicer and in charge of naval guns on shore. He rendered valuable assistance to the Army as Observation Officer, and in a despatch from the Vice-Admiral Commanding he was commended for his services in action. Captain Swabey was mentioned In despatches and was awarded the D.S.O. in March, 1916, and he was again mentioned in despatches from General Munro for gallant and distinguished services in July, 1916. He served in H.M.S. Lord Nelson from June, 1916, to January, 1918, and in the Operations Division of tire Naval Staff from January, 1918, to April, 1919. Afterwards he went to H.M.S. Revenge as Flag-captain and Chief Staff Officer to Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle, ami remained with him until May, 1921. He was Assistant Director of Nacal Ordinance from May, 1921, to October, 1923. Ilis appointment as Captain of the Royal Naval College at Greenwich was made in September, 1924. He has been here ever since, and will remain until relieved to sail for New Zealand. Captain Swabey is married, and has one