Rosslyn Wemyss, 1st Baron Wester Wemyss

Admiral Sir Rosslyn Erskine-Wemyss, 1st Baron Wester Wemyss (born 12 April 1864 in Fife, died 24 May, 1933) served as in active naval command positions during World War I, with postings to the Mediterranean and Egypt, and was appointed First Sea Lord in December 1917

Wemyss was the son of James Hay Erskine-Wemyss and Millicent Anne Mary Erskine. He married Victoria Morier, daughter of Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Morier, on 21 December 1903. He lived in Wemyss, Fife, Scotland.

Wemyss' war activity began with command of a cruiser squadron, followed in February 1915 he was despatched to Lemnos with a brief to prepare the harbour of Mudros for operations against the Dardanelles. Following command of a battle squadron working along the Gallipoli Front and its later evacuation, Wemyss was given command in January 1916, as head of the Egyptian Squadron where he aided operations on the Palestine Front

Returning to the Admiralty in 1917, Vice Admiral Wemyss was appointment as Deputy to Naval Minister Eric Geddes. In light of Geddes' decision to dismiss First Sea Lord Sir John Jellicoe due to his opposition to the adoption of naval convoys, Wemyss was appointed Jellicoe's replacement.

Although Wemyss enjoyed cordial relations with Geddes, he was regarded warily by colleagues given the nature of Jellicoe's ousting from office. Wemyss was in favour of the Zeebrugge raid that ultimately failed in April 1918 and also sponsored the Northern Barrage.

After representing Britain at the Armistice, Wemyss attended the Paris Peace Conference, 1919 as Britain's naval representative.

Wemyss resigned in November 1919 following persistent calls for Sir David Beatty to be given his job.

References

• Andrew Gordon, The rules of the game - Jutland and British Naval Command ISBN 0719555426

External links

• Who's Who in the First World War