He was Naval Adviser to the Inspector General of Fortifications in 1897 and 1898 ; Chief of Staff, Mediterranean Station, May ist, 1902, on June 6th of which year he received the C.V.O. From December 4th, 1905, to November nth, 1906, he was Aide-de-Camp to the King, being promoted Rear-Admiral on the latter date. From January, 1908, to January, 1909, he was in command of the Nore division, Home Fleet, and from February, 1909, to March, 1911, he was in command of the First Cruiser Squadron. On April izth, 1911, he became a Vice- Admiral, and was made a K.C.B. on June i4th of the following year. From June 22nd, 1912, to June 22nd, 1914, he was Vice-Admiral commanding the First Battle Squadron, and on September 5th, 1914, he was appointed for special service. On September i4th, 1914, he became Admiral. In December, 1914, he was temporarily in command of the First Battle Squadron, Grand Fleet. He received the G. C.V.O. on July 9th, 1915, and was appointed Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, on February lyth, 1916.
