Domville: Admiral to Cabin Boy

Barry Edward Domville had a brilliant naval career. In 1910 Domville was appointed Assistant Secretary of State to the Committee of Imperial Defence during preparation for the Great War. Throughout hostilities he commanded destroyers, flotilla leaders and cruisers of the Harwich force. For the following three years he was employed as Assistant director Director of the Plans (Policy) division of the Admiralty staff.

From 1922 to 1925 he was Chief of Staff for the Mediterranean fleet. In 1927 he was promoted Rear-Admiral and up to 1930 he held the important position of Director of Naval Intelligence. During 1930 and 1931 he commanded the third Cruiser Squadron, Naval Fleet. From 1932 to 1934 he was President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich and Vice-Admiral Commanding the War College. In 1936 he retired with the rank of Admiral. In 1934 King George VI created him a Knight Commander of the British Empire.

His was the record that our misguided rulers saw fit to impugn. In 1940 the Home Secretary, Sir John Anderson, appointed the Admiral as ‘cabin boy’ at Brixton prison – that was he was held prisoner, without any trial taking place under the notorious, ‘18B’ regulations.. Anderson was succeeded by Herbert Morrison, who was the one time author of an article taunting British soldiers and urging them not to fight for their country. The admiral held then position for a further three years, acquitting himself in his usual exemplary manner.

You will find yourself buffeted exhilaratingly upon the high seas of human emotion before reaching the port of your own judgment. Sir Barry Domville is fortunate in one sense: he did not have to wait, as so many who have suffered injustice had to do, for the verdict of history to complete his vindication. Each successive year of history has provided fresh proof of his wisdom and foresight.

159 pages

Historical Review Press 2008, reprinted 2016

ISBN  9 7806 879771