The Fifth Sea Lord was formerly one of the Naval Lords and members of the Board of Admiralty that controlled the Royal Navy. The post's incumbent had responsibility for naval aviation.
History In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were assigned to each of the 'Naval' Lords, who were described as 'Professional' Lords, leaving to the 'Civil' Lords the routine business of signing documents.
During World War I it was one of four additional naval positions added to the Board of Admiralty to manage the Navy. The only officer to hold the title during the war was Commodore Godfrey Paine. Commodore Paine simultaneously held the title of Director of Naval Aviation. After the Air Force Bill received Royal Assent in November 1917 the Air Council was created on 3 January 1918 which included Paine.Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
The post of Fifth Sea Lord then lapsed until 1938 when the Admiralty regained responsibility for naval aviation: the post was reestablished and was the Chief of Naval Air Services, responsible for preparation and management of all of the Royal Navy's aircraft and air personnel.Division with ADM National Archives
From 1957 to 1965 the Fifth Sea Lord's post was held jointly with the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. The post was abolished in 1965.Whitaker's Almanack 1965
In the 21st century the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation, Amphibious Capability & Carriers) has a similar role.
List of Fifth Sea Lords
Fifth Sea Lords and Chief of Naval Air Service 1917–1918 Included: Rear Admiral Sir Godfrey Paine 1917 Note: with the transfer of naval aviation to the Royal Air Force in 1918, the appointment lapsed and was not revived until 1938
Fifth Sea Lords 1938–1956 Admiral Sir Alexander Ramsay 1938–1939 Vice Admiral Sir Guy Royle 1939–1941 Rear Admiral Sir Lumley Lyster 1941–1942 Note: the title was in abeyance from 1942 to 1943 although Admiral Sir Frederic Dreyer was Chief of Naval Air Services Vice Admiral Sir Denis Boyd 1943–1945 Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge 1945–1946 Admiral Sir Philip Vian 1946–1948 Vice Admiral Sir George Creasy 1948–1949 Vice Admiral Sir Maurice Mansergh 1949–1951 Vice Admiral Sir Edmund Anstice 1951–1954 Vice Admiral Sir Alexander Bingley 1954–1956
Fifth Sea Lords and Deputy Chiefs of the Naval Staff 1957–1965 Vice Admiral Sir Manley Power 1957–1959 Admiral Sir Laurence Durlacher 1959–1962 Vice Admiral Sir Peter Gretton 1962–1963 Vice Admiral Sir Frank Hopkins 1963–1965
Admiralty departments and divisions under the Fifth Sea Lord As of 1917 Air Department Air Division
As of 1939 Air Branch Air Materiel Department Department of the Director Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Department of Air Personnel
As of 1941 Air Branch Naval Air Division (co-responsibility with the Naval Staff) Department of the Director Airfield & Carrier Requirements Department of the Director of Air Equipment Department of the Director Aircraft Maintenance & Repair
As of 1957 Fleet Air Arm Naval Air Warfare Division (co-responsibility with the Naval Staff) Naval Air Organisation and Training Division (co-responsibility with the Naval Staff) Department of the Director of Air Equipment and Naval Photography Department of the Director Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Department of the Director Naval Aircraft Development and Production Office of the Adviser on Aircraft Accidents
As of 1962 Fleet Air Arm
In fiction In the title story of his 1960 short story collection For Your Eyes Only, Ian Fleming wrote that M, James Bond's MI6 superior, gave up a likely appointment as Fifth Sea Lord in order to head the spy agency.
See also First Sea Lord Second Sea Lord Third Sea Lord Fourth Sea Lord
References
Sources Naval Staff, Training and Staff Duties Division (1929). The Naval Staff of the Admiralty. Its Work and Development. B.R. 1845 (late C.B. 3013). Copy at The National Archives. ADM 234/434.