THE KING’S DOUBLE

Evening Star, Issue 19661, 14 September 1927, Page 10

THE KING’S DOUBLE

■ -*>— SIR CHARLES KADSJEH ' MANY AMUSING SITUATIONS. Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Edward Madden, who is well known as a “double” of King George, officially assumed charge Of the entire Jiritish fleet in August, succeeding Admiral of the Fleet Earl Beatty as First Sea Lord of the Admiralty. The resemblance to the King of the new “ skipper as he is known to naval men—is even more convincing than can be seen from photographs. It lias long been the source of many navy jokes and stories. By far the most striking of these stories comes from naval sources, and its authenticity is generally accepted. According to the best accounts, when King George spent a woeic with the Fleet at Scapa Flow not long after the Battle of Jutland, ho nttonded a ceremony on board the battleship Queen Elizabeth to present numerous members of ' the staff and crew with medals. A band was waiting on the quarter deck for the signal to strike up with the National Anthem upon the King’s arrival. RECEIVED ROYAL HONORS.

Much to the surprise of everyone present, a heavily bearded person, bedecked with much gold braid and trimmings, appeared on the staircase leading In the deck. The bandmaster immediately saluted, and turned to the band and led it to the tunc of ‘God Save the King.’ The person who entered was Sir Charles Madden, and the bandmaster had the National Anthem repeated an hour later when the King actually arrived. ' ■ Sir Charles owe served as firsthand principal aide-de-camp to the King, and on several occasions whon_ he attended a function before the King arrived to see that everything was properly arranged the crowd assembled would arise and cheer, thinking that the King had arrived early. The new hirst Sea Lord was born in 1862, and joined the Navy in 1875. Throughout his career he has always been closely associated with both Lord Jellieoe and Lord Beatty, and has followed well on the heels of each up through the ranks of the Navy. In 1905 he married Constance Cayzer, sister of Lady Jellieoe. Sir Charles took his first position of anv consequence in the Admiralty in 19i0 when he became Fourth Sea Lord, with the rank of_ captain. A year later he was appointed a rear admiral in the homo fleet—his first flag position. At the outbreak of the war Sir Charles Madden was chief of staff to Lord Jellieoe, who was then comman-dor-in-ehief of the fleet, and he later served with Lord Beatty at Jutland, the latter highly commending him in despatches following the battle. From 1919 to 192:2 Madden served as commandcr-iu-chief oi the Atlantic fleet.

It. is noteworthy tlmt Sir Charles Madden did more in tho development of the very valuable depth bomb than anvono else in the Navy.

bnrinp; an engagement between a cruiser during the, war and a German submarine, Sir Charles, aboard the cruiser, observed the submarine bring a torpedo. He watched the source of the torpedo through the water, and conceived the idea of the depth charge. Ho immediately set to work on tbo idea, and the depth charge was evolved. Sir Charles is a keen sportsman, and is very fond of golf. Several years ago be purchased an estate dose to the well-known Forest Row golf course in order that be might spend more time in developing bis taste for goll.