Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves
Ensign of the Royal Navy
Admiralty, Ministry of Defence
Reports toFirst Sea Lord, then Second Sea Lord
NominatorSecretary of State for Defence
AppointerPrime Minister
Subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Term lengthNot fixed (typically 1–4 years)
Inaugural holderVice-Admiral Sir John W. Tarleton
Formation1875-1976

The Admiral Commanding, Reserves, was a senior Royal Navy post that existed from 1875 to 1976.

History

Before 1857 the HM Coast Guard was attached to the Customs Service for revenue duties, and was a Controller-General of the Coastguard.[1] In January, 1869, Captain Willes was called to the Admiralty to assist the First Naval Lord in conducting the duties of the Coastguard and the Royal Naval Reserve, as well as to give general assistance in other matters, and, in October, 1870, was confirmed in office with the title of Chief of the Staff, Naval Reserves. The office of Chief of the Staff [2] was continued but for a brief term, and, following an Order in Council of December 12, 1874, an Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves was appointed to take charge of the Naval Reserve afloat.[3] He was also given charge of Coastguard stations ashore, the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers, and the Seamen Pensioners' Reserve.

In 1903 responsibility for the HM Coast Guard passed to the Admiralty. On 21 May 1903 the office of Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves was established, the first incumbent being Admiral Sir Ernest Rice.

After 1903 the Admiral's duties included:[4]

In March 1923 responsibility for the majority of the functions of the Coast Guard was passed to the Board of Customs and Excise and the Board of Trade.[5] In July 1923 the office was then re-styled Admiral Commanding, Reserves, which remained the title until the post was abolished in 1976. Successive Admirals Commanding were supported in their duties by an assistant until 1902 and then a chief of staff until 1976.

Responsibility for administering reserves then came under the Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command, as a dual role until 1994. From 1994-1996 the Second Sea Lord became responsible for managing reserves.

Admirals commanding

Post holders included:[6]

Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves

Admiral Commanding, Coastguard and Reserves

Admiral Commanding Reserves

From 1968 until 1976 this post holder co-held the title, Director-General Naval Recruiting.

Assistants/Chiefs of Staff, Reserves

Post holders included:[8]

Assistant, Reserves:
Chiefs of Staff, Reserves

Offices under the Admiral Commanding Reserves

Fleet Reserve

Included:[9]

Coast Guard Districts

Included:[10][11][12]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Archives, The National. "Records of the Coastguard". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. National Archives UK, 1816-1947. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  2. ^ Archives, The National. "Records of the Coastguard". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. National Archives UK, 1816-1947. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  3. ^ Harley, Simon; Lovell, Tony. "Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves - The Dreadnought Project". www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Harley and Lovell, 3 November 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  4. ^ Hamilton, Sir Richard Vesey (2009). "5". Naval Administration: The Constitution, Character, and Functions of the Board of Admiralty, and of the Civil Departments it Directs. Cornell University Library. pp. 101–104. ISBN 9781112534539.
  5. ^ Archives, The National. "Records of the Coastguard". discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. National Archives UK, 1816-1947. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  6. ^ Mackie, Colin. "Royal Navy Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie, pp.92-93, December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  7. ^ Admiralty, Great Britain (June 1968). "General List". Navy List. London England: HM Stationery Office. p. 333.
  8. ^ Mackie, Colin. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackies. p94. December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  9. ^ Mackie, Colin. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie, pp.95-96, December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  10. ^ Mackie, Colin. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie, pp.96-100, December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  11. ^ Watson, Graham. "British Admiralty, Shore Establishments, Fleets and Station, World War 1". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 23 July 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  12. ^ Harley, Simon; Lovell, Tony. "Coast Guard Service - The Dreadnought Project". www.dreadnoughtproject.org. Harley and Lovell, 30 August 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2018.

References

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