1st Battlecruiser Squadron

Formation

The first two British battlecruisers of the — and —were commissioned into the Nore Division of the Home Fleet in October 1908. In early 1909, the Nore Division became the First Division of a reorganised Home Fleet, and Inflexible and Indomitable were transferred to the new First Cruiser Squadron in March 1909; they were joined by their recently completed sister . Rear-Admiral the Honourable Stanley Colville took command of the squadron on 24 February and transferred his flag to Indomitable on 29 July.

On 24 February 1911, Rear-Admiral Lewis Bayly assumed command of the First Cruiser Squadron, which had been joined in February by the new . Upon joining on 4 June 1912, became Rear-Admiral Bayly's flagship. joined on 14 November. A reorganisation of the fleet renamed the First Cruiser Squadron to First Battlecruiser Squadron on 1 January 1913. During 1913 gradually all the older battlecruisers left to join the Second Battlecruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean Fleet. The near-sister to the ——joined on 4 September.

First World War

The First Battlecruiser Squadron at the outbreak of war was composed of the four newest battlecruisers in the Royal Navy. On 3 October, it was joined by the recently completed . On 15 January 1915, New Zealand left to become flagship of the Second Battlecruiser Squadron and was joined by Indomitable, which had served with the First Battlecruiser Squadron over the New Year.

The Squadron took part in the Battle of Dogger Bank, where Beatty's battlecruisers forced the Germans to retreat, and in the process sank the German armoured cruiser , while Lion suffered heavy damage. As a result of the battle, in February the battlecruiser force was reorganised, and a Battlecruiser Fleet (BCF) was incorporated, with Beatty reappointed to command it. Captain Osmond De B. Brock of Princess Royal was appointed Commodore, First Class and given command of the First Battlecruiser Squadron, until he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral in March. At the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, all ships were damaged by German shell fire as the First Battle Squadron under Rear-Admiral Brock and Beatty in Lion lead the British line against the enemy. Early in the action, Queen Mary was lost and all but a small number of her crew were killed. Two other battlecruisers—Invincible and Indefatigable—were sunk during the battle.

The squadron's losses were made up for by the arrival of the new battlecruisers and in September 1916 and January 1917 respectively. he was superseded by Rear-Admiral Henry Oliver on 14 March 1918.

Composition

March 1909

• . Flying the flag of Rear-Admiral the Honourable Stanley C. J. Colville.
• . Captain William O. Boothby.
• . Captain Herbert G. King-Hall.
• . Captain Henry H. Torlesse.
• . Captain Mark E. F. Kerr.

July 1909

• Indomitable. Flying the flag of Rear-Admiral the Honourable Stanley C. J. Colville. Captain C. M. de Bartolomé.
• Minotaur. Captain William O. Boothby.
• Inflexible. Captain Henry H. Torlesse.
• Invincible. Captain Mark E. F. Kerr.

August 1914

• . Captain A. E. M. Chatfield.
• .
• .
• .

Battle of Jutland

• Lion. Flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty. Captain A. E. M. Chatfield.
• Princess Royal Flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Osmond De B. Brock. Captain W. H. Cowan.
• Queen Mary. Captain Cecil I. Prowse.
• Tiger. Captain Henry B. Pelly.

January 1918

• . Flying the Flag of Rear-Admiral Richard F. Phillimore. Captain John S. Dumaresq (Temporary).
• .
• Princess Royal.
• Tiger.

November 1918

• Repulse. Flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Henry F. Oliver. Captain William H. D. Boyle.
• Renown. Captain Arthur W. Craig.
• Princess Royal. Captain John D. Kelly.
• Tiger. Captain Arthur A. M. Duff.

Rear-Admirals commanding

Post holders included:

Notes

Bibliography

References

1. Roberts. "Battlecruiser".
2. (15 February 1909). "The North Sea Fleet".
3. (15 April 1909). "Naval and Military Intelligence".
4. (18 January 1909). "Naval and Military Intelligence".
5. Roberts. "Battlecruiser".
6. "Beatty Papers".
7. Chalmers. "The Life and Letters of David, Earl Beatty".
8. Brock service record. ADM 196/43. p. 49.
9. Oliver service record. ADM 196/42. p. 319.
10. Dittmar. "British Warships 1914–1919".
11. "Navy List. December 1914".
12. "Navy List. December 1914".
13. "Beatty Papers".
14. Dittmar. "British Warships 1914–1919".
15. "Navy List. November 1917".
16. "Navy List. November 1917".
17. "Navy List. December 1918".
18. "Navy List. December 1918".
19. "Navy List. December 1918".
20. "Navy List. December 1918".
21. "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865". Colin Mackie. pp.203–204. March 2018.