543:
509:
821:
657:
497:
611:
785:
466:
916:
940:
454:
633:
442:
1028:
952:
833:
669:
809:
25:
797:
577:
1036:
928:
645:
687:, later called Lord Admiral until the creation of the rank of Admiral of the Fleet in 1688. During this period his van division was led by the Vice Admiral England (Red) and his rear division by the Rear Admiral of England (Red). From 1688 the Admiral of the Fleet's van division was led by the Vice Admiral of the Red and his rear division by the Rear Admiral of the Red. In 1805 the rank of Admiral of Red was created; the van and rear commands remained the same.
599:
565:
430:
531:
407:
rank, followed by Vice-Admiral and Rear-Admiral. In 1620 flag ranks were formally established in terms of promotion. From 1620 until 1652 the order of precedence of the squadrons was Red, Blue and White, until 1653, when the order of precedence was changed to red, white, and blue. In 1688 the permanent rank of
Admiral of the Fleet was created, replacing the Lord High Admiral England operationally as commander-in-chief.
359:, though in 1596 there were four squadrons. In 1620 as the fleet was expanding the system was changed to include three squadrons but also three sub divisions. Assigned to each of these squadrons were flag officers who were separated in terms of their seniority by the use of coloured flags: in effect the squadrons provided a system of designating the nine or ten most senior
379:
Historically, the
English fleet was first divided into three squadrons distinguished by colour in 1558, the Admiral of the English fleet, the Lord Admiral of England's squadron, flew a plain red flag as its ensign. The Vice-Admiral of the fleet, or Vice-Admiral of England, flew a plain blue flag, and
1043:
Promotion of
Admirals also took place in this order - a Rear-Admiral of the Blue on promotion became a Rear-Admiral of the White as his first flag promotion. Once he had reached Rear-Admiral of the Red, on his next promotion he became a Vice-Admiral of the Blue and so on, until he finally became an
481:
During expedition to capture Cadiz with the aid of the Dutch (in 1 squadron) in June 1596 the
English fleet was divided into four squadrons which had joint commander in chiefs naval forces were commanded by the Lord Admiral whilst land forces were commander by the General of the Army each allocated
414:
was introduced. It became the highest rank that an
Admiral could attain until 1862, when an allowance was made for more than one Admiral of the Fleet to be appointed. In 1864 the colour squadron organisation was abolished and the Royal Navy adopted the White Ensign of the former White Squadron. The
406:
In 1620 these squadrons had grown to the point where they could not be managed effectively by one admiral alone. This led to the introduction of a new system whereby squadrons were further subdivided into three subdivisions, each then led by three admirals of different ranks. Admiral was the senior
1044:
Admiral of the White. It was only in the Red squadron that the hierarchy was not followed. There was no
Admiral of the Red since this would be deemed as being in overall command of the whole fleet until the rank was introduced in 1805. Until 1862 there could only be one Admiral of the Fleet.
1337:
Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922). "Flags of
Command". British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University
843:
The white squadron, ranked second and generally placed in the van, would be commanded by the
Admiral of the White, and its subdivisions would be led by a Vice Admiral of the White (van), and a Rear Admiral of the White (rear).
542:
1031:
English then
British flag officers promotion path from 1702 to 1805. Beginning with Commodore of the Blue through to Admiral of the Fleet the officers command flags are shown for the period
508:
387:. The fleet during this expedition had joint commanders-in-chief styled as "Joint Generalls of the Armies by Sea and Land". Naval forces were under the command of the
415:
Red Ensign of the Red
Squadron became the ensign of the British Merchant Navy, and the Blue Ensign of the Blue Squadron became the ensign of the Auxiliary Fleet.
371:
continued to be used as system of managing large formations when the British navy consisted of more than one fleet for most of the twentieth century until 1971.
610:
403:). The rear squadron (called the wyng) was commanded by the Rear-Admiral of the Fleet. After this expedition the system returned to a three squadron fleet.
1157:
962:
The blue squadron, ranked third or junior, was similarly commanded with an Admiral, Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral of the Blue, each flying a blue ensign.
784:
915:
632:
465:
441:
93:
453:
820:
656:
1069:
Admiral of the White became Admiral of the Fleet as his next promotion upto 1804, then Admiral of the Red as his next promotion (from 1805)
1341:
The National Archives:Trafalgar Ancestors, Glossary, Admiral. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Kew, London, England: The National Archives UK.
1103:
1267:
1291:
939:
951:
576:
264:
206:
832:
1082:
496:
211:
179:
1228:
British flags, their early history, and their development at sea; with an account of the origin of the flag as a national device
668:
808:
392:
183:
131:
330:
242:
796:
927:
396:
1352:
1331:
Information sheet no 55 Squadron Colours" (PDF). National Museum of the Royal Navy. 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
1325:
1301:
1115:
723:
644:
380:
the Rear-Admiral of the fleet flew a plain white flag. Order of precedence was red, blue, and white until May 1596.
399:
whose squadron was also in the centre. The van squadron, or front, was commanded by the Vice Admiral of the Fleet (
279:
275:
1039:
Promotion path of British flag officers from 1805 to 1864 the flags shown are the coloured squadrons naval ensigns
234:
229:
1164:
1334:"Naval Ranks". www.nmrn-portsmouth.org.uk. National Museum of the Royal Navy. 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
33:
598:
564:
429:
1368:
136:
98:
352:
193:
78:
1344:
The Orders in Council for the Regulation of the Naval Service. (1864). London, England: Harrison and Sons.
1131:
530:
395:
whose squadron was in the centre, whilst land forces were under the command of the General of the Army,
269:
259:
126:
88:
1347:
Wragg, David (2012). "National Entries". The World Sea Power Guide. Barnsley, England: Pen and Sword.
1320:
Heathcote, T. A. (2002). British Admirals of the Fleet: 1734-1995. Barnsley, England: Pen and Sword.
893:
880:
1027:
1011:
998:
323:
187:
68:
1223:
762:
749:
710:
684:
400:
388:
303:
298:
161:
121:
355:(1558–1603). The purpose was to separate the English fleet into three squadrons for better
867:
360:
152:
42:
1072:
Admiral of the Red became Admiral of the Fleet as his next promotion (from 1805 upto 1864)
383:
In June 1596 the English fleet was divided into four squadrons for the expedition for the
8:
985:
356:
316:
83:
384:
736:
411:
1348:
1321:
1297:
1111:
103:
368:
364:
1035:
1022:
1241:
1057:
Vice-Admiral of the Blue became Vice-Admiral of the White as his next promotion
1048:
Rear-Admiral of the Blue became Rear-Admiral of the White as his next promotion
680:
24:
1060:
Vice-Admiral of the White became Vice-Admiral of the Red as his next promotion
1051:
Rear-Admiral of the White became Rear-Admiral of the Red as his next promotion
1362:
1054:
Rear-Admiral of the Red became Vice-Admiral of the Blue as his next promotion
112:
73:
1230:. Cambridge, England: Cambridge : The University Press. pp. 85–99.
348:
1063:
Vice-Admiral of the Red became Admiral of the Blue as his next promotion
683:, and always led by the commander-in-chief of the fleet, initially the
59:
1066:
Admiral of the Blue became Admiral of the White as his next promotion
587:
679:
The senior (red) squadron was usually placed in the centre of the
553:
1272:. London, England: Harrison and Sons. 28 July 1864. p. 45.
1023:
Flag officers and commodores promotion pathway within squadrons
1132:"The National Archives:Trafalgar Ancestors, Glossary, Admiral"
1269:
The Orders in Council for the Regulation of the Naval Service
519:
482:
corresponding flags to differentiate them as shown below.
1163:. National Museum of the Royal Navy. 2014. Archived from
773:
904:
1285:
1283:
1281:
1279:
410:
In 1805, after the battle of Trafalgar, the rank of
616:
Flag of the Vice and Rear Admirals in this squadron
582:
Flag of the Vice and Rear Admirals in this squadron
548:
Flag of the Vice and Rear Admirals in this squadron
514:
Flag of the Vice and Rear Admirals in this squadron
1296:. Barnsley, England: Pen and Sword. pp. 1–7.
621:
485:
1276:
1360:
1138:. Kew, London, England: The National Archives UK
885:Second in command white squadron from 1620–1864
588:Rear-Admiral of the Fleet's squadron (wyng/rear)
1003:Second in command blue squadron from 1620–1864
898:Third in command white squadron from 1620–1864
790:Flag of the White Squadron 1558–1595, 1596–1603
418:
1016:Third in command blue squadron from 1620–1864
921:Flag of the Blue Squadron 1558–1596, 1596–1603
554:Vice-Admiral of England's squadron (van/front)
638:Flag of the Red Squadron 1558–1595, 1596–1603
324:
471:Flag of the White Squadron (rear) 1558–1596
447:Flag of the Red Squadron (centre) 1558–1596
1158:"Information sheet no 55 Squadron Colours"
476:
331:
317:
16:Former divisions of the British Royal Navy
1289:
1248:. National Museum of the Royal Navy. 2015
754:Second in command red squadron 1620–1864
459:Flag of the Blue Squadron (van) 1558–1596
1293:British Admirals of the Fleet: 1734-1995
1034:
1026:
872:Commanded white squadron from 1620–1864
767:Third in command red squadron 1620–1864
363:until the system was abolished in 1864.
1222:Perrin, W. G. (William Gordon) (1922).
1217:
1215:
1213:
1211:
1209:
1207:
1205:
1083:List of command flags of the Royal Navy
990:Commanded blue squadron from 1620–1864
520:General of the Army's squadron (centre)
1361:
1221:
1203:
1201:
1199:
1197:
1195:
1193:
1191:
1189:
1187:
1185:
741:Commanded red squadron from 1805–1864
728:Commanded red squadron from 1688–1804
393:Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham
1101:
966:Flag officers in order of precedence
848:Flag officers in order of precedence
691:Flag officers in order of precedence
1110:. Barnsley, England: Pen and Sword.
838:Flag of the White Squadron 1801–1864
826:Flag of the White Squadron 1707–1800
814:Flag of the White Squadron 1702–1707
802:Flag of the White Squadron 1620–1702
774:White squadron van/front (1596–1864)
345:Coloured Squadrons of the Royal Navy
1182:
957:Flag of the Blue Squadron 1801–1864
945:Flag of the Blue Squadron 1707–1800
933:Flag of the Blue Squadron 1620–1707
905:Blue squadron wyng/rear (1596–1864)
604:Flag of the Vice-Admiral of England
570:Flag of the Vice-Admiral of England
435:Flag of the English fleet 1545–1558
13:
715:Commanded red squadron until 1688
674:Flag of the Red Squadron 1801–1864
662:Flag of the Red Squadron 1707–1800
650:Flag of the Red Squadron 1620–1707
397:Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
14:
1380:
950:
938:
926:
914:
831:
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807:
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783:
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609:
597:
575:
563:
541:
529:
507:
495:
464:
452:
440:
428:
23:
1314:
622:Red squadron centre (1596-1864)
536:Flag of the General of the Army
486:Lord Admirals squadron (centre)
1260:
1234:
1150:
1124:
1095:
1:
347:were first introduced in the
1088:
419:Squadron colours (1558–1596)
353:Queen Elizabeth I of England
194:History of the Royal Marines
7:
1136:www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
1076:
10:
1385:
1246:www.nmrn-portsmouth.org.uk
374:
361:admirals of the Royal Navy
212:Flag officer command flags
127:Royal Marines Band Service
89:Royal Navy Medical Service
1290:Heathcote, T. A. (2002).
1108:The World Sea Power Guide
894:Rear-Admiral of the White
881:Vice-Admiral of the White
1012:Rear-Admiral of the Blue
999:Vice-Admiral of the Blue
502:Flag of the Lord Admiral
94:Nursing Service (QARNNS)
763:Rear-Admiral of the Red
750:Vice-Admiral of the Red
711:Lord Admiral of England
477:Squadron colours (1596)
401:Vice-Admiral of England
389:Lord Admiral of England
1040:
1032:
207:Customs and traditions
1102:Wragg, David (2012).
1038:
1030:
299:Royal Fleet Auxiliary
280:ratings rank insignia
162:Naval Careers Service
122:Royal Marines Reserve
1369:Royal Navy squadrons
868:Admiral of the White
724:Admiral of the Fleet
351:during the reign of
153:Special Boat Service
43:British Armed Forces
986:Admiral of the Blue
967:
849:
692:
357:command and control
235:Current deployments
84:Royal Naval Reserve
1224:"Flags of Command"
1170:on 8 November 2020
1104:"National Entries"
1041:
1033:
965:
847:
737:Admiral of the Red
690:
685:Admiral of England
412:Admiral of the Red
290:Auxiliary services
202:Coloured squadrons
171:History and future
1020:
1019:
902:
901:
771:
770:
341:
340:
104:Royal Navy Police
79:Submarine Service
1376:
1308:
1307:
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835:
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811:
799:
787:
693:
689:
671:
659:
647:
635:
613:
601:
579:
567:
545:
533:
511:
499:
468:
456:
444:
432:
385:Capture of Cádiz
333:
326:
319:
46:
45:
28:
27:
19:
18:
1384:
1383:
1379:
1378:
1377:
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1359:
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583:
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522:
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512:
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488:
479:
472:
469:
460:
457:
448:
445:
436:
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421:
377:
337:
308:
304:Marine Services
285:
282:
265:Senior officers
239:
216:
190:
157:
141:
108:
40:
39:
38:
35:
22:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1021:
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983:
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975:
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935:
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923:
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865:
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841:
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837:
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828:
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813:
806:
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801:
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789:
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769:
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739:
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726:
721:
717:
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713:
708:
704:
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681:line of battle
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243:Historic ships
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145:Special Forces
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1353:9781783035588
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1326:9781473812703
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1303:9781473812703
1299:
1295:
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1247:
1243:
1242:"Naval Ranks"
1237:
1229:
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1216:
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1206:
1204:
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1119:
1117:9781783035588
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1045:
1037:
1029:
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984:
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976:
973:
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948:
941:
936:
929:
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917:
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911:
910:
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895:
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884:
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866:
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845:
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829:
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766:
764:
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748:
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738:
735:
732:
731:
727:
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722:
719:
718:
714:
712:
709:
706:
705:
701:
698:
695:
694:
688:
686:
682:
670:
665:
658:
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646:
641:
634:
629:
628:
627:
612:
607:
600:
595:
594:
593:
578:
573:
566:
561:
560:
559:
544:
539:
532:
527:
526:
525:
510:
505:
498:
493:
492:
491:
483:
467:
462:
455:
450:
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438:
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408:
404:
402:
398:
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261:
260:The Admiralty
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257:
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244:
241:
240:
236:
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231:
230:Current fleet
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114:
113:Royal Marines
110:
109:
105:
102:
100:
97:
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92:
90:
87:
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82:
80:
77:
75:
74:Fleet Air Arm
72:
70:
69:Surface Fleet
67:
66:
62:
61:
57:
56:
55:
54:
50:
49:
44:
37:
36:Naval Service
34:His Majesty's
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1165:the original
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180:before 1707
909:Included:
778:Included:
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184:after 1707
99:Chaplaincy
60:Royal Navy
51:Components
1089:Footnotes
369:divisions
365:Squadrons
251:Personnel
132:Equipment
1363:Category
1077:See also
270:Uniforms
137:Uniforms
375:History
276:Officer
41:of the
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1338:Press.
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977:Notes
859:Notes
702:Notes
188:future
1168:(PDF)
1161:(PDF)
221:Ships
1349:ISBN
1322:ISBN
1298:ISBN
1254:2019
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367:and
343:The
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