Frank Forrester Rose


Sir Frank Forrester Rose KCB DSO was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be commander-in-chief of East Indies Station.

Early life and education

Rose was born in Sicily, the son of British parents William Rose, a merchant, and Martha Gardner. He was educated at Stubbington House School in Fareham and on HMS Britannia.

Naval career

Rose served in World War I initially as commander of HMS Laurel taking part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight in August 1914. Promoted to rear admiral in 1929, he was appointed rear admiral commanding the destroyer flotillas in the Mediterranean Fleet in 1931 and then became commander-in-chief of East Indies Station in 1934 before being replaced due to illness in 1936.

Personal life

He initially married Freda Edith Gordon, daughter of Walter Alwynne Gordon. They had one son, Hugh William Mackenzie Rose. In 1923, he married Dorothy Maud Kay.