Arthur Christian

Admiral Arthur Henry Christian, CB, MVO (31 August 1863 – 20 August 1926) was a senior Royal Navy officer.

For the Australian cricketer, see Arthur Christian (cricketer). For the Australian politician, see Arthur Christian (politician).

Early life

Born on 31 August 1863 at 13 Lowndes Square, London, he was the fourth son of George Christian[1] and his wife Sarah Mary Christian (née Bainbrigge).[2] He was educated at Twyford School, then an all-boys Independent preparatory school.[3]

In July 1876, Christian entered the Royal Navy.[4]

Christian was promoted to lieutenant on 31 December 1885.[5] On 1 January 1896, he was promoted to commander "for services on the West and East Coasts of Africa".[6][7] He was promoted to captain on 31 December 1901.[8] In June 1902, he was appointed in command of the protected cruiser HMS Highflyer, and as flag captain to Rear-Admiral Charles Carter Drury on his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station.[9] From 16 July 1908 to 5 October 1910 he was Captain of the Royal Naval College, Osborne.

Christian was promoted to rear admiral on 21 August 1911.[10] In September 1915, it was reported that he had been wounded during the Suvla Bay landings of the Gallipoli Campaign.[11][12] In July 1915 he was appointed Rear-Admiral, Second-in-Command, Eastern Mediterranean Squadron until February 1916.

Personal life

In 1911, Christian married Geraldine Diana Monsell. Together they had one son and two daughters.[1] One of his daughters, Mary Diana Christian, was married to General Victor FitzGeorge-Balfour.

Honours and decorations

On 30 April 1910, Christian was appointed Naval Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to King George V.[13] On 24 July 1910, he was appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO).[14] He relinquished the appointment of ADC on 21 August 1911.[15] On 1 January 1916, he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) as part of "honours awarded in recognition of services rendered by Officers of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron between the time of the landing in the Gallipoli Peninsula in April 1915, and the evacuation in December 1915 - January 1916".[16]

Christian received a number of service medals. He received the East and West Africa Medal with the "Brass River" clasp in 1885.[4]

References
  1. "CHRISTIAN, Admiral Arthur Henry". Who Was Who. A & C Black. December 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  2. Lundy, Darryl. "Admiral Arthur Henry Christian". ThePeerage.com. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  3. "Old Twyfordians - Biographies". Twyford School. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  4. "Admiral Christian". The Times (44357). 23 August 1926. p. 15.
  5. "No. 25545". The London Gazette. 1 January 1886. p. 7.
  6. "No. 26694". The London Gazette. 31 December 1895. p. 7532.
  7. "No. 26696". The London Gazette. 3 January 1896. p. 4.
  8. "No. 27393". The London Gazette. 3 January 1902. p. 3.
  9. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36758). London. 3 May 1902. p. 14.
  10. "No. 28525". The London Gazette. 25 August 1911. p. 6306.
  11. "Rear-Admiral Wounded". Aberdeen Daily Journal (18933). 10 September 1915. p. 5.
  12. "Births, Deaths, Marriages and Obituaries". Dundee Courier and Advertiser (22844). 23 August 1926. p. 4.
  13. "No. 28363". The London Gazette. 6 May 1910. p. 3163.
  14. "No. 28403". The London Gazette. 2 August 1910. p. 5584.
  15. "No. 28526". The London Gazette. 29 August 1911. p. 6372.
  16. "No. 29507". The London Gazette. 14 March 1916. p. 2869.
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