Admiral Philip Nelson-Ward (1866 – 27 June 1937) was a British Royal Navy officer and courtier.
Naval service Nelson-Ward was the son of a clergyman who was a grandson of Lord Nelson through his daughter Horatia. He entered the Royal Navy at the age of thirteen. In 1882, while a midshipman in the Bacchante-class corvette HMS Euryalus, he saw active service in Egypt. In 1886, he was commissioned sub-lieutenant. In April 1887, he joined the Emerald-class corvette HMS Tourmaline"Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 15 April 1887 and, in October 1887, HMS Comus."Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 7 November 1887 In April 1889, he was promoted lieutenant and specialised in navigation, remaining a navigating officer throughout his career. In April 1889, he rejoined HMS Tourmaline,"Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 4 April 1889 in February 1890, he joined HMS Sphinx,"Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 25 February 1890 in November 1893, the protected cruiser HMS Thames,"Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 25 November 1893 in January 1894 the protected cruiser HMS Aeolus,"Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 5 January 1894 and, in July 1897, the battleship HMS Barfleur."Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 21 July 1897
He served in the Barfleur during the Boxer Rebellion, after which he was promoted commander in June 1900. In February 1901, he was appointed navigating officer of the liner HMS Ophir, which was commissioned by the Royal Navy for the tour of the British Empire conducted by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. After the tour had ended, he was, in March 1902, appointed navigating officer of the battleship HMS Bulwark, which was to become flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet two months later. In February 1904, he joined the battleship HMS Albion, flagship of the China Station."Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 12 February 1904
In January 1905, he was promoted captain. He commanded the cruiser HMS Indefatigable in the West Indies from 1906 to 1908, the Admiralty yacht HMS Enchantress from 1908 to 1911, and the battleship HMS Formidable with the Atlantic Fleet from April 1911"Naval Appointments", The Times, 9 March 1911 to 1912. In December 1912, he was appointed Assistant Hydrographer of the Navy. In September 1913, he was appointed to the new post of Director of Navigation, a post he held until his retirement in June 1916, when he was promoted rear-admiral.
In 1917, he was recalled to service in the organisation of the North Atlantic convoys, where he remained until the end of the First World War. In 1918, he became manager of the Lord Roberts Memorial London Workshops, holding the post until 1921. In 1919, he was also appointed Gentleman Usher to the King, holding the post until the death of George V in 1936. He also devoted considerable time to the welfare of Merchant Navy personnel, and was president of the Officers' (Merchant Navy) Federation, which he was instrumental in setting up, from 1928.
Nelson-Ward was appointed Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in December 1901 for his services in HMS Ophir, and Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 1936 Birthday Honours. He was promoted vice-admiral on the retired list in July 1920"Naval and Military Intelligence", The Times, 10 August 1920 and admiral in May 1925."Flag Changes", The Times, 19 May 1925
Family He was married to the Honourable Dorothy Caulfeild, daughter of Viscount Charlemont. She was killed with her sister Rachel during an air raid on Bath on 27 April 1942.Obituary, The Times, 2 May 1942
Arms
Footnotes
References Obituary, The Times, 28 June 1937