Charles Lambe
Encyclopedia
Admiral of the Fleet
Sir Charles Lambe GCB
, CVO
(20 December 1900 – 29 August 1960) was a senior officer in the Royal Navy
, serving as First Sea Lord
from 1959 to 1960.
as a cadet in 1914 and was posted as a midshipman
to HMS Emperor of India in 1917. In 1926 he decided to specialize in torpedo
s and, after attendending the Staff College, he became equerry to the King
in 1936.
During the Second World War he commanded HMS Dunedin, went on to hold several staff appointments before taking command of HMS Illustrious in the Pacific.
After the War he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff and then went on to be Flag Officer, Flying Training in 1947. He was appointed Commander 3rd Aircraft Carrier Squadron in 1949 and Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers for the Home Fleet in 1951. In 1950 he offered a place on the Home Fleet's spring cruise to the composer Lennox Berkeley
who was composing Nelson
, an opera
based on the life of Lord Nelson; the route of the cruise passed through the waters of the Battle of Trafalgar
. Lambe, who was an able pianist, had Berkely's cabin fitted up with a pair of grand pianos so that they could play piano duets during the voyage.
Lambe went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station in 1953 and Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel
in 1955.
He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
in 1958 and served as First Sea Lord
from 1959 to 1960. He died in office.
Admiral of the Fleet
An admiral of the fleet is a military naval officer of the highest rank. In many nations the rank is reserved for wartime or ceremonial appointments...
Sir Charles Lambe GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, CVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(20 December 1900 – 29 August 1960) was a senior officer in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, serving as First Sea Lord
First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service; it was formerly known as First Naval Lord. He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff, and is known by the abbreviations 1SL/CNS...
from 1959 to 1960.
Naval career
Charles Lambe began joined the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
as a cadet in 1914 and was posted as a midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
to HMS Emperor of India in 1917. In 1926 he decided to specialize in torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
s and, after attendending the Staff College, he became equerry to the King
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in 1936.
During the Second World War he commanded HMS Dunedin, went on to hold several staff appointments before taking command of HMS Illustrious in the Pacific.
After the War he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff and then went on to be Flag Officer, Flying Training in 1947. He was appointed Commander 3rd Aircraft Carrier Squadron in 1949 and Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers for the Home Fleet in 1951. In 1950 he offered a place on the Home Fleet's spring cruise to the composer Lennox Berkeley
Lennox Berkeley
Sir Lennox Randal Francis Berkeley was an English composer.- Biography :He was born in Oxford, England, and educated at the Dragon School, Gresham's School and Merton College, Oxford...
who was composing Nelson
Nelson (opera)
Nelson is an opera in 3 acts by Lennox Berkeley to a libretto by Alan Pryce-Jones. The opera centres on the love affair of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson and Emma, Lady Hamilton. Completed in 1951, it was first performed in full in 1954.-Background:...
, an opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
based on the life of Lord Nelson; the route of the cruise passed through the waters of the Battle of Trafalgar
Battle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars ....
. Lambe, who was an able pianist, had Berkely's cabin fitted up with a pair of grand pianos so that they could play piano duets during the voyage.
Lambe went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station in 1953 and Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel
Second Sea Lord
The Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command , commonly just known as the Second Sea Lord , is one of the most senior admirals of the British Royal Navy , and is responsible for personnel and naval shore establishments.-History:In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were...
in 1955.
He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
in 1958 and served as First Sea Lord
First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service; it was formerly known as First Naval Lord. He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff, and is known by the abbreviations 1SL/CNS...
from 1959 to 1960. He died in office.