The Rear-Admiral, Alexandria was an administrative shore based appointment of the British Royal Navy. The post was established during the Second World War, subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet then later the Commander-in-Chief, Levant.

The Navy List for 1940, 1941, and 1943 locates the admiral at Alexandra.

The post of Rear-Admiral, Alexandria was created during the Second World War, responsible for administering the shore establishment of (borne in Maidstone II) at Ras el-Tin Point, Alexandria.Navy List October 1944 p.2262 The post existed from 1939 to 1945. From November 1939 until February 1943 it was part of the Mediterranean Fleet until the Fleet was divided. After February 1943 the Rear-Admiral Alexandria came under the command of the new Commander-in-Chief, Levant, until January 1944 when the Mediterranean Fleet was reunified once more.

Incumbent admirals

The Rear-Admiral, Alexandria reported to the C-in-C, Mediterranean Fleet from November 1939 to February 1943, and then was resubordinated to the C-in-C, Levant until December 1943. Post holders included:

Rank Flag Name Term Notes/Ref Rear-Admiral, Alexandria1 Rear Admiral F. Elliott November, 1939 – February, 1941 Also Playfair, Vol. I., Annex 9, p. 478.2 Rear Admiral George H. Creswell February, 1941 – August, 19423 Rear Admiral Allan Poland November, 1942 – October, 1944elevated to Acting Vice-Admiral and Knighted

Headquarters staff Base HQ was HMS Nile, borne in HMS Maidstone II.

Chief Staff Officer and Flag Captain, Alexandria Rank Flag Name Term Notes/Ref Chief Staff Officer and Flag Captain, Alexandria1 Acting-Captain R.D. Binney25 January 1940 – 12 January 1941(retd)2 Captain B.C.B. Brooke12 January 1941 – August 19423 Flag Captain C.H. Rolleston16 November 1942 – October 1943(retd)4 Captain D. Young-JamesonOctober – December 1943

Captain-Superintendent, Alexandria Post holders included: Rank Flag Name Term Notes/Ref Captain-Superintendent, Alexandria1 Captain W.Y. La R. Beverley 14 August 1940 – April, 19422 Captain C. Coppinger April, 1942 – December, 1943

Levant Area The Senior Naval Officer, later Commander, Levant Area, was originally styled as Naval Officer-in-Charge, Haifa. His title was later changed to SNO Levant Area and his headquarters transferred to Beirut.

Rank Flag Name Term Notes/Ref Commander, Levant Area1 Captain J.A.V. Morse October 1941 – 1 April 1942as SNO Levant Area2 Commodore D. Young-JamesonJune – December 1943as COMM, Levant Area

Cyprus Area Naval Officer-in-Charge, Cyprian Ports Post holders included: Rank Flag Name Term Notes/Ref Naval Officer-in-Charge, Cyprian Ports1 Captain M.H.S. Macdonald 18 November 1941 – December, 1943

Notes

References Bertke, Donald A.; Kindell, Don; Smith, Gordon (2012). World War II Sea War, Volume 3 Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith. . Helgason, Guðmundur (1995–2018). "Allied Warship Commanders of WWII – uboat.net". uboat.net. Houterman, Jerome N..; Koppes, Jeroen (2004–2006). "Royal Navy, Mediterranean Fleet 1939–1945". www.unithistories.com. Houterman and Koppes, Netherlands.

Watson, Dr Graham. (2015) "Royal Navy Organisation in World War 2, 1939–1945". naval-history.net. Gordon Smith.