Overview

Roger Keyes was the archetype of 19th to 20th century Royal Navy officers. A superb seaman, inspiring leader and fearless fighter he immediately caught the eye of senior figures in the naval establishment as well as the up and coming politician, Winston Churchill. The relationship between these two brave men survived disappointment, disagreement and eventually disillusion. Unlike some of his contemporaries Keyes was unable to make the transition from sailor to politician and was inclined to embarrass his friends and allies by his intemperate language and total lack of political acumen. Always eager to lead from the front and hurl himself at the enemy his mind set tended to be that of a junior officer trying to prove himself, not that of a senior Admiral. Trained in some of the last of Britain's sailing warships, Keyes served in submarines in the North Sea, destroyers in China and as a senior staff officer in the disastrous Gallipoli campaign. As commander of the Dover Patrol he planned and led the highly controversial Zeebrugge Raid and successfully combated U-boats passing along the English Channel. In World War II he begged to be given a combat command but, in spite of their close personal friendship, Churchill realised that he was too old to be suitable for a front line role and his undisguised contempt for many senior Naval and Airforce officers made him extremely unpopular in official circles. To his credit, Churchill did not let his personal friendship and admiration of Keyes blind him to his temperamental and intellectual limitations. Both men were big enough not to let professional conflict destroy mutual personal admiration and friendship.

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9781399001564

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...a short biography that concludes that while Keyes was a superb leader and fearless in battle, he lacked strategic judgement and was often unrealistic about what he could achieve in battle. -- A Blog on Winston Churchill An interesting biography of one of Britain's most unusual admirals. -- The NYMAS Review

...adds a missing element to Royal Navy literature... -- The Northern Mariner ...a short biography that concludes that while Keyes was a superb leader and fearless in battle, he lacked strategic judgement and was often unrealistic about what he could achieve in battle. -- A Blog on Winston Churchill An interesting biography of one of Britain's most unusual admirals. -- The NYMAS Review

"""...adds a missing element to Royal Navy literature...""-- ""The Northern Mariner"" ""...a short biography that concludes that while Keyes was a superb leader and fearless in battle, he lacked strategic judgement and was often unrealistic about what he could achieve in battle.""-- ""A Blog on Winston Churchill"" ""An interesting biography of one of Britain's most unusual admirals.""-- ""The NYMAS Review"""

Author Information

Jim Crossley is a retired engineer living in North Norfolk. He has always been fascinated by the history of war at sea and has many family connections with the Royal Navy - six close relations were at the Battle of Jutland, among them Commodore William Goodenough who particularly distinguished himself in that battle. Goodenough was a good friend of Roger Keyes. Jim is a keen sailor and thus is familiar with some of the challenges and excitement which have been faced by seafarers, especially in small ships. This has led to his taking a close interest in operations such as submarine hunting, mine laying and sweeping and coastal bombardment. Jim read Modern History at Cambridge University before embarking on a career in engineering. Churchill's Admiral is his seventh book centring on the Royal Navy.

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