Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Forbes
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Morton Forbes, GCB, DSO (22 November 1880 – 28 August 1960) was a Royal Navy officer. He served in the First World War, seeing action in the Dardanelles campaign and at the Battle of Jutland and, as captain of a cruiser, was present at the surrender of the German fleet. During the Second World War, he served as Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet: his fleet suffered heavy losses including the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious and nine destroyers during the Norwegian campaign in Spring 1940. He went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth in May 1941 and in that capacity he organised the defence of Plymouth from air attack, prosecuted attacks on enemy shipping using the harbour at Brest as well as other ports along the French coast, and also initiated the St Nazaire Raid in March 1942 before retiring in August 1943.
Born 22 November 1880 Colombo, Ceylon
Died 28 August 1960 (aged 79) Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, London
Years of service 1894–1943
Commands held
Plymouth Command
Home Fleet
1st Battle Squadron
HMS Iron Duke
HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Galatea
Battles/wars First World War
Gallipoli campaign
Battle of Jutland
Second World War
Norwegian campaign
Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Order
Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd Class with Swords (Russia)
Legion of Honour (France)