8th Cruiser Squadron

8th Cruiser Squadron
Active1912-1914, 1924-1942
CountryUnited Kingdom
AllegianceBritish Empire
BranchRoyal Navy
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Rear-Admiral John M. de Robeck

The 8th Cruiser Squadron was a temporary formation of cruisers of the British Royal Navy from 1912 to 1914.[1] and again from 1924/25 to 1942.

The Royal Navy's cruiser squadrons contained a maximum of five to six ships but down as low as two to three ships. From 1914 they were usually designated as Light Cruiser Squadrons, while after 1925 they were re-designated Cruiser Squadrons.[2]

History

First Formation

The 8th Cruiser Squadron was a temporary naval unit attached to the Third Fleet. The then Admiral of Patrols, Rear-Admiral J. M. de Robeck, assumed command on 26 July 1914, (for Test Mobilisation), however the squadron was never officially constituted.[3] De Robeck was then given command of the 9th Cruiser Squadron also known as Cruiser Force I on 4 August 1914.[4]

Second Formation

In 1924/25 the 8th Light Cruiser Squadron was re-designated 8th Cruiser Squadron and came under the direct command of the Commander-in-Chief North America and West Indies until 1942.[5][6]

Rear/Vice-Admiral commanding

First Formation

Rank Flag Name Term Notes
Rear-Admiral Commanding, 8th Cruiser Squadron
1 Rear-Admiral John M. de Robeck 26 July 1914
Squadron disbanded

Second formation

Of note: The squadron was under direct command of the Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies[7][8]

Rank Flag Name Term Notes
CinC NAWI/Vice-Admiral Commanding, 8th Cruiser Squadron [9]
1 Vice-Admiral Sir James Fergusson May 1924-June 1926
2 Vice-Admiral Sir Walter Cowan June 1926-July 1928
3 Vice-Admiral Sir Cyril Fuller May 1930-April 1932
4 Vice-Admiral Sir Vernon Haggard May 1930-April 1932
5 Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Plunkett April 1932-November 1934
6 Vice-Admiral Sir Matthew Best November 1934-May 1937
7 Vice-Admiral Sir Sidney Meyrick May 1937-April 1940
8 Vice-Admiral Charles Kennedy-Purvis April 1940-April 1942
9 Vice-Admiral Alban Curteis April 1942-July 1942

Notes

  1. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployments 1900-1914: (5) May 1912-July 1914". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 8 August 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  2. ^ Watson. 2015.
  3. ^ Watson. 2015.
  4. ^ Tucker, Spencer; Wood, Laura Matysek; Murphy, Justin D. (1999). The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia. Oxford, England: Taylor & Francis. p. 116. ISBN 9780815333517.
  5. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 2 September 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  6. ^ The Navy List for April, 1938 Corrected to March, 1938. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. 1938. p. 207. VII.-OTHER FOREIGN STATIONS.
    AMERICA AND WEST INDIES.
    EIGHTH CRUISER SQUADRON.
    York (Flag of C.-in-C.), Apollo, Orion, Exeter (Commodore, South America Division), Ajax
    ESCORT VESSELS.
    Scarborough, Dundee
    Malabar (Depot Ship, Bermuda)
  7. ^ Watson, Graham. "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939: 6. CRUISER DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  8. ^ Watson, Dr Gordon. "Royal Navy Organization in World War 2, 1939-1945: AMERICA AND WEST INDIES COMMAND, 1939-1942". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith, 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  9. ^ Tennyson, Brian Douglas; Sarty, Roger (2000). Guardian of the Gulf: Sydney, Cape Breton, and the Atlantic Wars. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press. p. 407. ISBN 9780802085450. CINC NAWI.

References

  • Tennyson, Brian Douglas; Sarty, Roger (2000). Guardian of the Gulf: Sydney, Cape Breton, and the Atlantic Wars. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 9780802085450.
  • Tucker, Spencer; Wood, Laura Matysek; Murphy, Justin D. (1999). The European Powers in the First World War: An Encyclopedia. Oxford, England: Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780815333517.
  • Watson, Dr Graham. (2015) "Royal Navy Organization and Ship Deployments 1900-1914". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.
  • Watson, Dr Graham. (2015) "Royal Navy Organization and Ship Deployment, Inter-War Years 1919-1939: 6. CRUISER DEPLOYMENT 1919-1939". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.
  • Watson, Dr Gordon. (2015) "Royal Navy Organization in World War 2, 1939-1945: AMERICA AND WEST INDIES COMMAND, 1939-1942". www.naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.