Entered Royal Navy in 1875, rising to become a Captain in 1902, and a Rear-Admiral in 1911. Replaced Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden as Commander of Naval Forces at the Dardanelles in March 1915. Served as Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Fleet (1919-1922), and Commander-in-Chief Atlantic Fleet (1922-1924), then as High Commissioner to Constantinople until death in 1928.