The Naval Mobilisation Department[1] also known as the Mobilisation and Movements Department[2] was a former department of the British Admiralty initially from 1909 to 1912 and then again from 1918 to 1932. It was mainly responsible for plans, mobilisation and manning during the pre-World War I and post war period. [3]
In 1909, following restructuring within the Admiralty, both the Mobilisation and War Divisions of the Naval Intelligence Department were brought together to create a separate Naval Mobilisation Department however this department existed only for a period of three years.[4] In 1912 it was abolished and its functions became a component part of the Admiralty War Staff sub staff divisions.[5] In 1918 the Mobilisation Division of the Admiralty Naval Staff itself was dissolved and the Mobilisation Department was re-stablished once again but not under the control of the Naval Staff instead it was responsible to the Office of the Second Sea Lord[6] this lasted until 1932 when it was replaced by a new Department of the Director of Manning that was itself a subsidiary department of the Second Sea Lord it continued to exist until 1964 when the Admiralty Department itself was abolished.
As of 1911: Distribution of work between the departments two divisions various sections can be seen in more detail below they included:[10][11]
Manning Division
Section
Admiralty Room
Responsibility
HMD
18 (III.)
The head of division is responsible for general superintendence of work of Manning Division, and preparation of Sketch Vote "A."
1
19 (III.)
Admiralty Representative on Navy Employment Agency, Alterations in "Instructions for Mobilisation, Control of Railway Traffic in time of War (War Railway Council), Manning requirements and resources, Mobilisation arrangements as regards Personnel of Fleet, Mobilisation questions raised by the Mobilising Committees at the Ports, Preparation for Peace Manœuvres (as regards subjects dealt with by Section 1).
2
19 (III.)
Auxiliary requirements of the Home Ports for War (Personnel), Complement Committee questions, Monthly Mobilising List of Officers, Preparation for Peace Manœuvres (as regards subjects dealt with by Section 2).
War Division
Section
Admiralty Room
Responsibility
HWD
32 (III.)
The head of division is responsible for general superintendence of work of War Division,
Orders for War issued by the Admiralty and by Commanders-in-Chief.
3
31 (III.)
Arrangements for War Room., Auxiliary requirements at Home Ports, Correction of Standing Orders for Foreign Stations, General distribution of British Fleet in Commission and Reserve, and preparation of Monthly "War Fleet" and Quarterly Return, Questions relating to Torpedo Craft and Submarines, Mine-sweeping and Minelaying, War College, Signal Books, Supply of Provisions in War, and Naval Stores other than Coal and Oil, Preparation for and Reports on British Naval Manœuvres and Exercises, Reserves of Ordnance Stores.
4
31 (III.)
Distribution of Naval Intelligence in United Kingdom, Fleet Auxiliaries: Arrangements for an Instructions regarding.
Questions relating to Fleet Coaling Service in War and Manœuvres, Supply of Oil Fuel, Wireless Telegraphy, Examination Service and Traffic Regulations, and Joint Naval and Military Operations, Preparation of Annual Statement of Coal and Oil Fuel requirements of the War Fleets with resources and proposed methods of supply, War Signal Stations and Coast Guard Stations.
Primary source for this article is by Harley Simon, Lovell Tony, (2015), Naval Mobilisation Department (Royal Navy), dreadnoughtproject.org, http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org.
CB1515(50) [later OU 6171/31] The Technical History and Index (Part 50): Mobilisation of the Fleet. Demobilisation Records, 1918–19, written by the Mobilisation Department of the Admiralty, January 1921.
Rodger. N.A.M., (1979) The Admiralty (offices of state), T. Dalton, Lavenham, Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value)..
Hamilton C. I. (2011) The Making of the Modern Admiralty: British Naval Policy-Making, 1805–1927, Cambridge Military Histories, Cambridge University Press, Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
