FLAG OFFICER’S WORK

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19631, 18 July 1935, Page 11

FLAG OFFICER’S WORK

SIR CHARLES MADDEN.

TEN YEARS AFLOAT,

Although Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Madden, whose death has oocurred, became well known to the ■public only after the war, his service career was one of marked distinction, and by the Navy itself he was regarded as ono of its most capable officers, writes Hector Bywater in the Daily Telegraph. As chief of Staff to his brother-in-law, Admiral Jellicoe, in the Iron Duke, and later as second-in-com-mand of the Grand Fleet, he was ■closely associated throughout the 'Great War with 'the control of our major naval forces. When the Grand Fleet, early in 1919, ceased to exist as such and 'became merged in the Atlantic Fleet, Sir Charles -Madden was appointed. Commander-in-Chlef. When he hauled down his flag in July, 1922, he had completed more than ten years of unbroken service afloat, a record unequalled' by any other flag officer in modern times. His appointment as First Sea Lord on July 30, 1927, gave great satisfaction to the Navy, and his three years’ work at the Admiralty set the coping stone on a lifelong career of devotion to duty and the service of the State. Sir Charles Madden -was born in 1862, his father being the late Captain J. W. Madden, Royal Sussex Regiment. 'He entered the Royal Navy as a cadet on July 5, 1875, and seven years later, as an aoting-lieutenant in the Ruby, saw service in the Egyptian War, receiving the medal and Khedive’s bronze star.

A Torpedo Specialist.

On reaching lieutenant's rank he became a specialist in the torpedo branch. From 1893 until his promotion to Commander three years later, he served as first lieutenant and stall officer of the Vernon, the torpedo school ship. On reaching the rank of captain he* was given command of 11.M.5. Good Hope, llagship of Admiral Fawkes, commanding the Cruiser Squadron. After two years afloat he went to the Admiralty as ■ naval assistant to the Controller, and later, to the First Sea Lord. In 1907 ho was at sea again as captain of H.M.S. Dreadnought - and ■Chief of Staff, 'Home Fleet, but his administrative talents were so much appreciated at Whitehall that he was soon called to take up the post of private secretary to the First Sea Lord, and, in 1910-11, that of a junior Sea ■Lord.

The outbreak of war found him in command of the Second Cruiser Squadron, but when Sir John Jellicoe was appolhted Commander-In-Chief of the Grand Fleet be applied for and obtained Madden’s servloes as his chief of staff. The brothers-in-law formed an excellent combination, for while Jellicoe ahone as a •strategist and manipulator of fleets, Madden was essentially an administrator, besides being a seaman of the first order.

delllooo’s Plan.

It Is a reasonable surmise that Jellicoe’s plan of aotlon, which be bad submitted to the Admiralty In November, 1914, and to which he rigidly adhered at the Battle of Jutland, w r as inspired in part by his consultations with bis chief of staff, who, be it remembered, was a torpedo specialist, and, as such, fully acquainted with tho possibilities of that weapon in the hands of an enemy inferior in heavy ships. The fact remains that the torpedo did comparatively little damage at Jutland. On the other hand, its moral influence was great, and. an the opinion of many critics, robbed us of that decisive victory for which the nation bad hoped. When Jellicoe went to the Admiralty in December, 1916, as First Sea Lord and the command-in-chief of the Gi’and Fleet was transferred to Beatty, Madden was appointed second-la-com-mand, with his flag In 'H.M.S. Revenge. Except for occasional spells of leave Admiral Madden had hardly set foot ashore since the beginning of 1912, when, in April, 1919, he was appointed Commander-in-Chlef of the newlyoonstituted Atlantic Fleet. He held this appointment for three and a half years. During this time the Fleet was visited toy 'the King, who. in a message to Admiral Madden In July, 1922, said: “It Is especially gratifying to me 'to Inspect tho Fleet before you haul down your flag after a long and remarkable career. You have achieved .what Is a unique record In modern times In having served ■continuously afloat as a flag offloer for no less than ten and a half years—•including the whole of the war.’’ First Sea Lord.

■Sir Charles was advanced to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on July 31, 1934. Mo then enjoyed a wellearned period of rest for exactly three years, at the end of which lie was called upon .to - , lake up the onerous duties of 'First Sea Lord in succession lo Earl Beatty. Ho was then in his Go 111 year, but exhibited all the physical and mental vigour of a much younger man. 'His term of office at the Admiralty was, on the whole, uneventful.

For his services in the war Sir Charles was created a baronet In 1019, and voted £IO,OOO. On vacating the command bl' the Atlantic Fleet he was appointed first and prinolpal aide-de-camp to the King. As staled above, ho was a brother-in-law to Earl Jellieoe, for lie married in 1903 the third daughter of Sir Charles Cayzer. On March 12 last Sir Charles was carried ashore from the liner Homeric, when It reached Southampton after a West Indies cruise. Ho had contracted fever during the voyage, but it was subsequently announced that he was making a rapid recovery.

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