13 Facts About Wilfred Custance

Rear Admiral Wilfred Neville Custance CB was a senior officer in the Royal Navy.

Wilfred Custance was the Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron from April 1938 to September 1939.

Wilfred Custance joined the Royal Navy on 15 January 1899 as a cadet.

Wilfred Custance was rated midshipman on 15 May 1900 and served aboard HMS Ocean.

Wilfred Custance served upon HMS Venerable in 1905 and promoted to lieutenant on 15 January 1905.

Wilfred Custance was the Gunnery Officer aboard HMS Vanguard between 1913 and 1917, and was having dinner aboard another ship at Scapa Flow in 1917 when HMS Vanguard suffered an internal explosion and sank with the loss of lives of 843 men.

Wilfred Custance served aboard HMS Vanguard during World War I and was present during the battle of Jutland in 1916.

Wilfred Custance was promoted to captain in 1925 and went on to command HMS Yarmouth in 1926, HMS Castor in 1928 and HMS York in 1930.

Wilfred Custance commanded the Devonport Gunnery School between 1932 and 1934, HMS Rodney of the 2nd Battle Squadron of Home Fleet between 1934 and 1936.

Wilfred Custance was appointed Aide-de-camp to King George V in 1935.

Wilfred Custance was promoted to real admiral in 1936 and commanded the Naval Brigade formed for ceremonial duties during the coronation of King George VI on 12 May 1937.

Wilfred Custance was appointed Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron on 22 April 1938, however due to ill health he was forced to relinquish the command on 2 September 1939.

Wilfred Custance is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Portsmouth Naval Memorial.