Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British 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...

 and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996.

Admiral of the fleet is equivalent to a five-star rank, equivalent to a marshal of the Royal Air Force

Marshal of the Royal Air Force

Marshal of the Royal Air Force is the highest rank in the Royal Air Force. In peacetime it was granted to RAF officers in the appointment of Chief of the Defence Staff, and to retired Chiefs of the Air Staff, who were promoted to it on their last day of service. Promotions to the rank have ceased...

 or a field marshal

Field Marshal (UK)

Field Marshal is the highest military rank of the British Army. It ranks immediately above the rank of General and is the Army equivalent of an Admiral of the Fleet and a Marshal of the Royal Air Force....

 in the British Army.

Admiral of the fleet is also used as a title in some of the world's militaries for the most senior officer of the fleet or Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. In the German Kriegsmarine

Kriegsmarine

The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...

of the Second World War, the equivalent rank was grand admiral

Grand Admiral

Grand admiral is a historic naval rank, generally being the highest such rank present in any particular country. Its most notable use was in Germany — the German word is Großadmiral.-France:...

.

History in Royal Navy

The rank evolved from the ancient sailing days and the admiral distinctions then used by the Royal Navy. The British fleet was divided into three divisions and each designated a colour

Color

Color or colour is the visual perceptual property corresponding in humans to the categories called red, green, blue and others. Color derives from the spectrum of light interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities of the light receptors...

, that of red, white, or blue. Each coloured division was assigned an admiral

Admiral

Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...

, who in turn had command over a vice admiral

Vice Admiral

Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...

 and a rear admiral

Rear Admiral

Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...

. In the 18th century, the original nine ranks began to be filled by more than one person per rank. The admiral of the fleet commanded the admirals of the various divisions and thus, the entirety of the British fleet.

The organisation of the British fleet into coloured squadrons was abandoned in 1864, with the Royal Navy keeping the White Ensign

White Ensign

The White Ensign or St George's Ensign is an ensign flown on British Royal Navy ships and shore establishments. It consists of a red St George's Cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the upper canton....

. By this time, the position admiral of the fleet had already become an honorary promotion; when the position of professional head of the Royal Navy was given the name of First Naval 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...

 in 1828 (renamed First Sea Lord in 1904), admiral of the fleet became an honorary promotion for retiring First Naval Lords. This allowed multiple honorary admirals of the fleet to co-exist throughout the history of the rank.

Between 1811 and 1988, six admirals of the fleet were granted to honour four members of foreign royalty and two members of British royalty. Of the British royalty granted the rank admiral of the fleet, HRH The Duke of Clarence and St Andrews

William IV of the United Kingdom

William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...

 (later King William IV) had actively served as a rear admiral, while HRH The Prince of Wales

Edward VII of the United Kingdom

Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...

 (later King Edward VII) never served in the Royal Navy.

When the position Chief of the Defence Staff

Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)

The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the British Armed Forces, a senior official within the Ministry of Defence, and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister...

 was created in 1959, admirals who became overall Chief of the Defence Staff were also granted an active promotion to admiral of the fleet, with the active NATO rank code OF-10. Since 1997, recognizing the reduced post-Cold War

Cold War

The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...

 size of the British Armed Forces would not require an Army field marshal (equivalent to admiral of the fleet), the Chief of the Defence Staff has been appointed at the NATO OF-9 rank of admiral

Admiral (United Kingdom)

Admiral is a senior rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-9, outranked only by the rank Admiral of the Fleet...

 (or equivalent general

General (United Kingdom)

General is currently the highest peace-time rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. It is subordinate to the Army rank of Field Marshal, has a NATO-code of OF-9, and is a four-star rank....

 or air chief marshal

Air Chief Marshal

Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...

). During this period, five admirals were promoted to active admirals of the fleet and Chief of Defence Staff.

The practice of the honorary promotion to admiral of the fleet also ceased after 1996, though the rank still exists for potential honorary or active use. The last honorary promotion to admiral of the fleet was the 1995 promotion of Sir Benjamin Bathurst, when he retired as First Sea Lord.

British admirals of the fleet

Appointed		Name	Born	Died
	1690	(later Earl of Orford)	1652	1727
	1696		1650	1709	circa
13 January	1705		1650	1707
21 December	1708	Fairborne StaffordSir Stafford Fairborne Stafford Fairborne Admiral of the Fleet Sir Stafford Fairborne was a Royal Navy officer and politician who represented Rochester as a Member of Parliament from 1705 to 1710.-Naval career:...	1666	1742	circa
14 March	1718	Byng GeorgeSir George Byng George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington Admiral of the Fleet George Byng, 1st Viscount Torrington, KB PC was a British naval officer and statesman of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. His career included service as First Lord of the Admiralty during the reign of King George II.-Naval career:Byng was born at Wrotham, Kent, England...  (later Viscount Torrington)	1663	1733
20 February	1734	Norris JohnSir John Norris	1670	1749
1 July	1749	Ogle ChallonerSir Chaloner Ogle Chaloner Ogle Admiral of the Fleet Sir Chaloner Ogle was a British naval commander during the War of the Austrian Succession.-Naval career:Born the son of John Ogle, a Newcastle barrister, Ogle came from the Kirkley Hall branch of the prominent Northumbrian Ogle family of Northumberland...	1681	1750
22 November	1751	Steuart JamesJames Steuart James Steuart (Royal Navy officer) Admiral of the Fleet James Steuart was a Royal Navy officer who rose to prominence during the War of the Austrian Succession.-Naval career:...	1690	1757
March	1757	Clinton GeorgeThe Hon. George Clinton George Clinton (British politician) Admiral of the Fleet The Hon. George Clinton was a British naval officer and political leader who served as the colonial governor of Newfoundland in 1731 and of New York from 1743 to 1753....	1686	1761
30 July	1761	AnsonThe Lord Anson George Anson, 1st Baron Anson Admiral of the Fleet George Anson, 1st Baron Anson PC, FRS, RN was a British admiral and a wealthy aristocrat, noted for his circumnavigation of the globe and his role overseeing the Royal Navy during the Seven Years' War...	1697	1762
17 December	1762	Rowley WilliamSir William Rowley William Rowley (Royal Navy officer) Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Rowley KB was a British naval commander who distinguished himself during the War of the Austrian Succession and also became a Member of Parliament.-Naval career:...	1690	1768	circa
15 January	1768	Hawke EdwardSir Edward Hawke Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke Admiral of the Fleet Edward Hawke, 1st Baron Hawke KB, PC was an officer of the Royal Navy. He is best remembered for his service during the Seven Years' War, particularly his victory over a French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, preventing a French invasion of Britain...  (later Lord Hawke)	1705	1781
24 October	1781	Luke O'KeefeThe Hon. John Forbes	1714	1796
12 March	1796	HoweThe Earl Howe Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe Admiral of the Fleet Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe KG was a British naval officer, notable in particular for his service during the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary Wars. He was the brother of William Howe and George Howe.Howe joined the navy at the age of thirteen and served...	1726	1799
16 September	1799	Parker PeterSir Peter Parker Sir Peter Parker, 1st Baronet Admiral of the Fleet Sir Peter Parker, 1st Baronet was a British naval officer.-Naval career:Peter Parker was born probably in Ireland. He became a lieutenant in the Royal Navy in 1743 and captain in 1747. In 1761, he took command of HMS Buckingham and helped cover operations on Belle Île...	1721	1811
24 December	1811	Clarence and Saint AndrewsHRH The Duke of Clarence and St Andrews William IV of the United Kingdom William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...  (later King William IV)	1765	1837	honorary, did serve as a rear admiral
29 January	1820	Saint VincentThe Earl of St Vincent John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent Admiral of the Fleet John Jervis, 1st Earl of St Vincent GCB, PC was an admiral in the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom...	1735	1823	acting from May 1814
28 June	1830	Williams-Freeman WilliamWilliam Williams-Freeman William Peere Williams-Freeman William Peere Williams-Freeman was an officer in the Royal Navy, eventually becoming admiral of the fleet for a brief period before his death at the age of 90.-Family and early life:Williams was born in Peterborough on 6 January 1742, the son of Frederick Williams,...	1742	1832
22 July	1830	GambierThe Lord Gambier James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier Admiral of the Fleet James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier GCB was an admiral of the Royal Navy, who served as Governor of Newfoundland, and as a Lord of the Admiralty, but who gained notoriety for his actions at the Battle of the Basque Roads.-Early career:Gambier was born in New Providence, The...	1756	1833
22 July	1830	Pole CharlesSir Charles Pole	1757	1830
24 April	1833	Nugent CharlesSir Charles Nugent Charles Edmund Nugent Sir Charles Edmund Nugent was a British admiral. Joining the Navy in 1771, he rose through the ranks during the American War of Independence, primarily active against Spain in the West Indies. He saw action at the 1776 Battle of Sullivan's Island and the 1779 Battle of San Fernando de Omoa...	1759	1844
8 January	1844	Whitshed JamesSir James Whitshed James Whitshed Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Hawkins-Whitshed, 1st Baronet GCB was a British naval officer.-Naval career:Hawkins-Whitshed joined the Royal Navy in 1777, and was promoted to Lieutenant the following year. In 1780 he took part in the British victory at Battle of Cape St...	1762	1849
9 November	1846	Martin GeorgeSir George Martin George Martin (Royal Navy officer) Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Martin GCB, GCMG was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars...	1764	1847
13 October	1849	Martin ThomasSir Thomas Byam Martin Thomas Byam Martin Admiral Sir Thomas Byam Martin, GCB was a highly influential British Royal Navy officer who served at sea during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and then as a naval administrator until his death in 1854...	1773	1854
1 July	1851	Cockburn GeorgeSir George Cockburn George Cockburn Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn, 10th Baronet GCB was a British naval commander of the late 18th through the mid-19th centuries. He held important commands during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 and eventually rose to become Admiral of the Fleet and First Sea Lord.-Naval...	1772	1853
8 December	1857	Ogle CharlesSir Charles Ogle Sir Charles Ogle, 2nd Baronet Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Ogle, 2nd Baronet was an officer in the Royal Navy.-Naval career:Born the eldest son of Admiral Sir Chaloner Ogle, 1st Baronet, Ogle joined the Royal Navy in 1787....	1775	1858
25 June	1858	West JohnSir John West John West (Royal Navy officer) Admiral of the Fleet Sir John West GCB was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth.-Naval career:...	1774	1862
20 May	1862	Gage WilliamSir William Gage William Hall Gage Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Hall Gage GCB GCH was Second Sea Lord in the British Navy.-Naval career:Born the third son of General Thomas Gage, Gage joined the Royal Navy in 1789. In 1797 he was given command of the frigate HMS Terpsichore and sailed in the Mediterranean to conduct the Siege...	1777	1864
10 November	1862	Hamond GrahamSir Graham Hamond Sir Graham Hamond, 2nd Baronet Admiral of the Fleet Sir Graham Eden Hamond, 2nd Baronet GCB was a Royal Navy officer who served during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars....	1779	1862
27 April	1863	Austen FrancisSir Francis Austen Francis Austen Sir Francis William Austen, GCB was a British officer who spent most of his long life on active duty in the Royal Navy, rising to the position of Admiral of the Fleet.-Background:...	1774	1865
27 April	1863	Parker WilliamSir William Parker William Parker (admiral) Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Parker, 1st Baronet, GCB , was a Royal Navy officer. He was born in Almington, Staffordshire, England. He was not related to the previous Admiral Sir William Parker. His father, George Parker, was the second son of Sir Thomas Parker, who had been Lord Chief Baron of...	1781	1866
11 January	1864	Curtis LuciusSir Lucius Curtis	1786	1869
12 September	1865	Cochrane ThomasSir Thomas Cochrane Thomas John Cochrane Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas John Cochrane GCB was an English naval officer and colonial governor.-Naval career:...	1789	1872
30 November	1866	Seymour GeorgeSir George Seymour	1787	1870
30 January	1868	Gordon JamesSir James Gordon	1782	1869
15 January	1869	Bowles WilliamSir William Bowles	1780	1869
3 July	1869	Sartorious GeorgeSir George Sartorius George Sartorius Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Rose Sartorius GCB was a Royal Navy officer who also commanded the navy of Dom Pedro in the Portuguese Civil Wars.-Naval career:...	1790	1885
21 January	1870	Moresby FairfaxSir Fairfax Moresby Fairfax Moresby Admiral of the Fleet Sir Fairfax Moresby GCB , born in Calcutta, India, to English parents was a British naval officer.-Early life:Moresby was the eldest son of Fairfax Moresby, Lieut...	1786	1877
20 October	1872	Stewart HoustonSir Houston Stewart Houston Stewart Admiral of the Fleet Sir Houston Stewart GCB was a Royal Navy officer and briefly a Liberal Party Member of Parliament .-Naval career:...	1791	1875
22 January	1877	Codrington HenrySir Henry Codrington Henry Codrington Admiral Sir Henry John Codrington KCB was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth.-Naval career:...	1808	1877
5 August	1877	Keppel HenrySir Henry Keppel Henry Keppel Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Keppel, GCB, OM was a British admiral, son of the 4th Earl of Albemarle and of his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Lord de Clifford.-Naval career:...	1809	1904
11 December	1877	Wallis ProvoSir Provo Wallis Provo Wallis Admiral of the Fleet Sir Provo William Perry Wallis, GCB was a Royal Navy officer and naval war hero. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was 100 years old when he died....	1791	1892
27 December	1877	LauderdaleThe Earl of Lauderdale Thomas Maitland, 11th Earl of Lauderdale Admiral of the Fleet Thomas Maitland, 11th Earl of Lauderdale, GCB was a Royal Navy officer and peer.-Naval career:...	1803	1878
27 December	1877	Mundy GeorgeSir George Mundy Rodney Mundy Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Rodney Mundy GCB was Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.-Naval career:Mundy's naval service stated as a cadet at the Royal Naval College, Portsmouth in 1818...	1805	1884
15 June	1879	Hope JamesSir James Hope	1808	1881
15 July	1879	Symonds ThomasSir Thomas Symonds	1813	1894
10 June	1881	Milne AlexanderSir Alexander Milne Sir Alexander Milne, 1st Baronet Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alexander Milne, 1st Baronet, GCB was a Royal Navy admiral, the second son of the Scot Admiral Sir David Milne, and the younger brother of the advocate, geologist and meteorologist David Milne-Home.-Naval career:He entered the Royal Naval Academy, 8 February 1817...	1806	1896
1 December	1881	Elliot CharlesSir Charles Elliot Charles Elliot (Royal Navy officer) Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Gilbert John Brydone Elliot KCB was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth.-Naval career:...	1818	1895
29 April	1885	Ryder AlfredSir Alfred Ryder Alfred Phillips Ryder Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Phillips Ryder KCB was a Royal Navy officer and an active member of the Church of England Purity Society.-Biography:...	1820	1888
18 July	1887	WalesHRH The Prince of Wales Edward VII of the United Kingdom Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...  (later King Edward VII)	1841	1910	honorary to non-Navy royalty
1 May	1888	Hornby GeoffreySir Geoffrey Hornby	1825	1895
8 December	1888	Hay JohnLord John Hay	1827	1916
2 August	1889	William IIHIM German Emperor William II	1859	1941	honorary, to foreign royalty
13 February	1892	Commerell JohnSir John Commerell John Edmund Commerell Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Edmund Commerell VC GCB was an English Royal Navy officer who was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...	1829	1901
3 June	1893	EdinburghHRH The Duke of Edinburgh Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the third Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and reigned from 1893 to 1900. He was also a member of the British Royal Family, the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha...  (later Duke Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha)	1844	1900
20 February	1895	ClanwilliamThe Earl of Clanwilliam Richard Meade, 4th Earl of Clanwilliam Admiral of the Fleet Richard James Meade, 4th Earl of Clanwilliam, GCB, KCMG , styled Lord Gillford until 1879, was a British Royal Navy officer and peer.-Background:...	1832	1907
23 August	1897	Lyons AlgernonSir Algernon Lyons	1833	1908
29 November	1898	Richards FrederickSir Frederick Richards Frederick Richards Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick William Richards GCB was the British First Naval Lord from 1893 to 1899.-Early life:...	1833	1912
13 January	1899	Salmon NowellSir Nowell Salmon Nowell Salmon Admiral of the Fleet Sir Nowell Salmon VC, GCB was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Naval career:Salmon was the son of Reverend H...	1835	1912
3 October	1902	Erskine JamesSir James Erskine	1838	1911
30 August	1903	Hotham CharlesSir Charles Hotham Charles Frederick Hotham Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Frederick Hotham, GCB GCVO was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.-Naval career:...	1843	1925
16 June	1904	Kerr WalterLord Walter Kerr Lord Walter Kerr Admiral of the Fleet, Lord Walter Talbot Kerr, GCB, PC was the British First Naval Lord from 1899 to 1904.-Early Life and Indian Mutiny:...	1839	1927
20 February	1905	Seymour EdwardSir Edward Seymour Edward Hobart Seymour Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Hobart Seymour, GCB, OM, GCVO , was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, China Station.- Early life :...	1840	1929
5 December	1905	Fisher JohnSir John Fisher (later Lord Fisher)	1841	1920
1 March	1907	Wilson ArthurSir Arthur Wilson	1842	1921
11 June	1908	Nicholas IIHIM Tsar Nicholas II of Russia Nicholas II of Russia Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...	1868	1918	honorary, to foreign royalty
2 December	1908	Noel GerardSir Gerard Noel	1845	1918
27 January	1910	Heinrich of PrussiaHRH Prince Heinrich of Prussia	1862	1929	honorary, to foreign royalty
30 April	1910	Fanshawe ArthurSir Arthur Fanshawe Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Dalrymple Fanshawe GCB GCVO was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.-Naval career:...	1847	1936
20 March	1913	May WilliamSir William May	1849	1930
5 March	1915	Meux HedworthSir Hedworth Meux Hedworth Meux Admiral of the Fleet The Hon Sir Hedworth Meux GCB KCVO , formerly The Hon Hedworth Lambton was an English naval officer famous for bringing help to the British forces in the Siege of Ladysmith....	1856	1929
2 April	1917	Callaghan GeorgeSir George Callaghan George Callaghan Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Astley Callaghan GCB GCVO was a senior officer in the Royal Navy.-Naval career:...	1852	1920
3 April	1919	JellicoeThe Viscount Jellicoe John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe Admiral of the Fleet John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, GCB, OM, GCVO was a British Royal Navy admiral who commanded the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in World War I...  (later Earl Jellicoe)	1859	1935
3 April	1919	Beatty DavidSir David Beatty David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty Admiral of the Fleet David Richard Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO was an admiral in the Royal Navy...  (later Earl Beatty)	1871	1936
31 July	1919	Jackson HenrySir Henry Jackson	1855	1929
1 November	1919	Wemyss RosslynSir Rosslyn Wemyss Rosslyn Wemyss, 1st Baron Wester Wemyss Admiral of the Fleet Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, 1st Baron Wester Wemyss GCB, CMG, MVO , known as Sir Rosslyn Wemyss between 1916 and 1919, was a British naval commander...  (later Lord Wester Wemyss)	1864	1933
24 November	1920	Burney CecilSir Cecil Burney Cecil Burney Admiral of the Fleet Sir Cecil Burney, 1st Baronet GCB GCMG was a British Royal Navy admiral.-Early life and service before flag rank:...	1858	1929
5 July	1921	Sturdee DovetonSir Doveton Sturdee Doveton Sturdee Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Charles Doveton Sturdee, 1st Baronet, GCB, KCMG, CVO was a British admiral.-Naval career:...	1859	1925
22 August	1921	Milford HavenThe Marquess of Milford Haven	1854	1921
31 July	1924	Madden CharlesSir Charles Madden	1862	1935
8 May	1925	Calthorpe SomersetSir Somerset Calthorpe	1864	1937
24 November	1925	de Robeck JohnSir John de Robeck John de Robeck Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Michael de Robeck, 1st Baronet GCB, GCMG, GCVO was an admiral in the British Royal Navy who commanded the Allied naval force in the Dardanelles during World War I....	1862	1928
21 January	1928	Oliver HenrySir Henry Oliver Henry Oliver Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Francis Oliver, GCB, KCMG, MVO was a British naval officer.-Naval career:...	1865	1965
31 July	1929	Brock OsmondSir Osmond Brock Osmond Brock Admiral of the Fleet Sir Osmond de Beauvoir Brock KCB, KCMG, KCVO was a Royal Navy officer.-Naval career:Brock was the eldest son of Commander Osmond de Beauvoir Brock of Guernsey and he joined the Navy in 1882. Appointed midshipman in 1886, he passed for Lieutenant with first classes in every...	1869	1947
8 May	1930	Keyes RogerSir Roger Keyes (later Lord Keyes)	1872	1945
21 January	1933	Field FrederickSir Frederick Field Frederick Field (Royal Navy officer) Admiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Laurence Field GCB KCMG was a British Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet who served as First Sea Lord from 1930 to 1933...	1871	1945
31 July	1934	Tyrwhitt ReginaldSir Reginald Tyrwhitt Reginald Tyrwhitt Admiral of the Fleet Sir Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, 1st Baronet, GCB, DSO was a senior officer of the Royal Navy in World War I who commanded light forces stationed at Harwich on the east coast of England during the first part of the war.-Naval career:Tyrwhitt entered the Navy as a cadet in July, 1885...	1870	1951
8 May	1935	Chatfield ErnleSir Ernle Chatfield Ernle Chatfield, 1st Baron Chatfield Admiral of the Fleet The Rt Hon. Sir Alfred Ernle Montacute Chatfield, 1st Baron Chatfield, GCB, OM, KCMG, CVO, PC was a Royal Navy officer and held the position of First Sea Lord from 1933 to 1939...  (later Lord Chatfield)	1873	1967
21 January	1936	Edward VIIIHM King Edward VIII Edward VIII of the United Kingdom Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...	1894	1972
12 July	1936	Kelly JohnSir John Kelly	1871	1936
11 December	1936	George VIHM King George VI George VI of the United Kingdom George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...	1894	1952
21 January	1938	CorkThe Earl of Cork and Orrery William Boyle, 12th Earl of Cork Admiral of the Fleet William Henry Dudley Boyle, 12th Earl of Cork, 12th Earl of Orrery GCB GCVO RN was a career Royal Navy officer who had achieved the rank of full Admiral before succeeding a cousin in 1934 to the family titles, chief of which is Earl of Cork...	1873	1967
7 July	1939	Backhouse RogerSir Roger Backhouse Roger Backhouse Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Roland Charles Backhouse GCB GCVO CMG was an Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy and First Sea Lord of the British Admiralty from 1938 to 1939.-Family:...	1878	1939
31 July	1939	Pound DudleySir Dudley Pound Dudley Pound Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound GCB OM GCVO RN was a British naval officer who served as First Sea Lord, professional head of the Royal Navy from June 1939 to September 1943.- Early life :...	1877	1943
8 May	1940	Forbes CharlesSir Charles Forbes	1880	1960
21 January	1943	Cunningham AndrewSir Andrew Cunningham Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope Admiral of the Fleet Andrew Browne Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope KT, GCB, OM, DSO and two Bars , was a British admiral of the Second World War. Cunningham was widely known by his nickname, "ABC"....  (later Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope)	1883	1963
22 October	1943	Tovey JohnSir John Tovey John Tovey, 1st Baron Tovey Admiral of the Fleet John Cronyn "Jack" Tovey, 1st Baron Tovey GCB, KBE, DSO, DCL was a Royal Navy admiral who served in both World Wars. He signed himself as "Jack", not "John". Tovey joined the Royal Navy before World War I, and commanded destroyers in that war. He rose, with several senior...  (later Lord Tovey)	1885	1971
8 May	1945	Somerville JohnSir James Somerville James Somerville Admiral of the Fleet Sir James Fownes Somerville GCB, GBE, DSO was one of the most famous British Admirals of World War II.-Early career:...	1882	1949
21 January	1948	Cunningham JohnSir John Cunningham	1885	1965
22 October	1948	Fraser of North CapeThe Lord Fraser of North Cape Bruce Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape Admiral of the Fleet Bruce Austin Fraser, 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape GCB, KBE was a senior British admiral during World War II.-Early naval career:Fraser joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 January 1904...	1888	1981
20 March	1949	Willis AlgernonSir Algernon Willis Algernon Willis Admiral of the Fleet Sir Algernon Usborne Willis KCB DSO was a British Royal Navy officer.-Naval career:Willis joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1904 and went on to serve in World War I and then actions against the Bolsheviks in the Baltic from 1918 to 1919.In the Second World War he was...	1889	1976
22 April	1952	Power ArthurSir Arthur Power Arthur Power Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur John Power GCB, GBE, CVO was an officer of the Royal Navy, who saw service in World War I and World War II.-Naval career:Power joined the Royal Navy in 1909 and served in World War I...	1889	1960
1 June	1952	Vian PhilipSir Philip Vian Philip Vian Admiral of the Fleet Sir Philip Louis Vian, GCB, KBE, DSO & Two Bars was a British naval officer who served in both World Wars....	1894	1968
15 January	1953	EdinburghHRH The Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....	1921
1 May	1953	McGrigor RhoderickSir Rhoderick McGrigor Rhoderick McGrigor Admiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick Robert McGrigor GCB was a Royal Navy officer and the British First Sea Lord from 1951 to 1955. During his years as professional head of the Royal Navy, he is most remembered as a leading proponent of carrier-based air power.-Early life:Rhoderick Robert McGrigor...	1893	1959
22 April	1955	Creasy GeorgeSir George Creasy George Creasy Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Elvey Creasy GCB CBE DSO MVO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.-Naval career:...	1895	1972
22 October	1956	Mountbatten of BurmaThe Earl Mountbatten of Burma Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma Admiral of the Fleet Louis Francis Albert Victor Nicholas George Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, KG, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, GCVO, DSO, PC, FRS , was a British statesman and naval officer, and an uncle of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...	1900	1979	Chief of the Defence Staff 1959–65
29 August	1960	Lambe CharlesSir Charles Lambe Charles Lambe Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Lambe GCB, CVO was a senior officer in the Royal Navy, serving as First Sea Lord from 1959 to 1960.-Naval career:...	1900	1960	promoted when died as First Sea Lord
23 May	1962	John CasparSir Caspar John Caspar John Admiral of the Fleet Sir Caspar John GCB was the British First Sea Lord from 1960 to 1963. He was pioneer in the Fleet Air Arm, and rose to become Vice-Chief of Naval Staff to Sea Lord Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma in 1957 and subsequently First Sea Lord from 1960 to 1963.-Early...	1903	1984
12 August	1968	Begg VarylSir Varyl Begg Varyl Begg Admiral of the Fleet Sir Varyl Cargill Begg GCB, DSO, DSC was First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy, from 1966 to 1968.-Early life:...	1908	1995
30 June	1970	Le Fanu MichaelSir Michael Le Fanu Michael Le Fanu Admiral of the Fleet Sir Michael Le Fanu GCB, DSC was a Royal Navy admiral and First Sea Lord.-Early life:Le Fanu was born at Lindfield, West Sussex, the son of Captain Hugh Barrington le Fanu RN...	1913	1970
12 March	1971	Hill-Norton PeterSir Peter Hill-Norton (later Lord Hill-Norton)	1915	2004	Chief of the Defence Staff 1971–73
1 March	1974	Pollock MichaelSir Michael Pollock Michael Pollock Admiral of the Fleet Sir Michael Patrick Pollock GCB, LVO, DSC was a British officer in the Royal Navy who rose to become First Sea Lord from 1971 to 1974...	1916	2006
9 February	1977	Ashmore EdwardSir Edward Ashmore Edward Ashmore Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Beckwith Ashmore GCB, DSC is a former senior Royal Navy officer. He served as the Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom and thus the professional head of the British Armed Forces....	1919		Chief of the Defence Staff 1977
6 July	1979	Lewin TerenceSir Terence Lewin Terence Lewin, Baron Lewin Admiral of the Fleet Terence Thornton Lewin, Baron Lewin, KG, GCB, LVO, DSC was a former First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, and Chief of the Defence Staff.-Naval career:...  (later Lord Lewin)	1920	1999	Chief of the Defence Staff 1979–82
1 December	1982	Leach HenrySir Henry Leach Henry Leach Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Conyers Leach, GCB, DL was a former First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy. Leach was the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff between 1979 and 1982, being the professional head of the Navy at the time of the Falklands War...	1923	2011
2 August	1985	Fieldhouse JohnSir John Fieldhouse John Fieldhouse, Baron Fieldhouse Admiral of the Fleet John David Elliott Fieldhouse, Baron Fieldhouse GCB, GBE was a high ranking officer in the Royal Navy...  (later Lord Fieldhouse)	1928	1992	Chief of the Defence Staff 1985–88
12 April	1988	King Olav V of Norway Olav V of Norway Olav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway...	1903	1991	honorary, to foreign royalty
25 May	1989	Staveley WilliamSir William Staveley William Staveley (admiral) Admiral of the Fleet Sir William Doveton Minet Staveley GCB, DL , was Chief of the Naval Staff and First Sea Lord.-Early life:...	1928	1997
2 March	1992	Oswald JulianSir Julian Oswald Julian Oswald Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Julian Robertson Oswald GCB was a British naval officer who served as Chief of the Naval Staff and First Sea Lord.-Naval career:...	1933	2011
10 July	1995	Bathhurst BenjaminSir Benjamin Bathurst	1936

From 1828, with the creation of the title First Sea Lord, until 1995, the promotion to admiral of the fleet was ordinarily saved for a retiring First Sea Lords or an admiral who became Chief of the Defence Staff. This tradition has stopped.