Frank Larken

Sir Frank Larken
Born 1875
Died 1953
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Rank Vice Admiral
Commands held HMS Doris
HMS Valiant
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George

Vice Admiral Sir Frank Larken KCB CMG (1875–1953) was a Royal Navy officer who became Naval Secretary.

Naval career

Larken served in World War I and, as Captain of the cruiser HMS Doris, he led a successful raid cutting the railway line between Adana and Alexandretta in December 1914 thereby impeding the progress of the Turkish invasion of North Africa.[1][2] He also saw action at Gallipoli in 1915.[3]

After the War he was made Captain of the Fleet, Mediterranean Fleet[4] before being given command of the battleship HMS Valiant.[5] Following his promotion to Rear Admiral,[6] he became Naval Secretary in 1925 and Commander of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in 1927,[4] and, following his promotion to Vice Admiral, he went on to command the Reserve Fleet in 1930 before retiring in 1932.[4]

References

  1. ^ A naval history of World War I By Paul G. Halpern, p. 107
  2. ^ Mediterranean, including Turkish Waters & Black Sea, 1914-18 Naval History
  3. ^ World War 1 at Sea - Royal Navy Despatches, Gallantry Awards and Honours
  4. ^ a b c Senior Royal Navy Appointments
  5. ^ Queen Elizabeth Battleships at Sea Maritime Prints
  6. ^ Royal Navy Flag Officers 1904-1945
Military offices
Preceded by
Hubert Brand		 Naval Secretary
1925–1927		 Succeeded by
Eric Fullerton