Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Ninian Dowding, K.B.E, C.B, Offr.Legion of Merit (USA)

Arthur Ninian (1886-1966) – embarked on a Naval Career aged 14. Went on to become Vice Admiral Sir Arthur Ninian Dowding KBE CB. He married Kathleen Charlotte Hamilton Drummond in 1915 and the couple had 1 child – Arthur Denis Caswell who was killed in action in France 1940, serving as a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Tank Regiment. Following Kathleen’s death in 1961, Arthur married Penelope Statter 3 years later.

1926 - promotion to captain

1936 - Attained flag rank and appointed aide de camp to the King

1938 - Appointed rear admiral 10th cruiser squadron

9 June 1938 C.B. (Military Division - Order of Bath) - * from list of Birthday Honours, The Times, Thurs 9 June 1938

Military award - Offr.Legion of Merit (USA)

Title - K.B.E., C.B.

Vice-Admiral SIR Arthur Ninian Dowding, K.B.E., C.B., Royal Navy (4 January, 1886 – 26 November, 1966) was an officer of the Royal Navy. Dowding was a brother of Lord Dowding, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Fighter Command before and during the "Battle of Britain" of 1940.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 15 July, 1906.[1]

He was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 15 July, 1914.[2]

He was appointed as gunnery officer in Zealandia, 10 July, 1913 to 16 September, 1916.

He was appointed as gunnery officer in Minotaur, 15 March, 1917.

He was promoted to Commander on 1 December, 1918 and left Minotaur on 17 April, 1919.

He was promoted to Captain on 30 June, 1926.

Captain of H.M.S. Sandhurst 18 Nov, 1927[3]

Captain of H.M.S. Cornwall Jun, 1929[4] – Mar, 1931[5]

Captain of Chatham Gunnery School 30 Mar, 1931[6][7] – 2 Jan, 1933[8]

Captain of H.M.S. Furious Aug, 1935[9] – Jan, 1937[10]

He was promoted to Rear-Admiral on 19 August, 1936.

On 30 April, 1937 he was placed in command of the Tenth Cruiser Squadron.

Admiral Superintendent, Devonport Dockyard 27 Sep, 1938[11]

He was promoted to Vice-Admiral on 5 May, 1940 and placed on the Retired List the next day.

See: http://dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/Arthur_Ninian_Dowding

1948 Apr 1. Letter from Vice-Adm Sir Arthur Dowding, Vice Chairman of the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association to Lady O'Connor, thanking her for work on the Council of the Association and with regrets at her resignation. Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Ninian Dowding, K.B.E, C.B, Offr.Legion of Merit (USA)