Naval Mobilisation Department


The Naval Mobilisation Department also known as the Mobilisation and Movements Department 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 One and post war period.

History

In 1909 following re-structuring 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 when in 1912 it was itself abolished and its functions became a component part of the Admiralty War Staff sub staff divisions. 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 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.

Directors of Naval Mobilisation

Directors of Naval Mobilisation, 1909-1912
Directors of Naval Mobilisation, 1918-1932
Assistant Directors of Naval Mobilisation, 1909-1912
Heads of Manning Division, 1909-1912
Heads of War Division, 1909-1912
Assistant Directors of Naval Mobilisation, 1918-1932
As of 1911: Distribution of work between the departments two divisions various sections can be seen in more detail below they included:
Manning Division
SectionAdmiralty RoomResponsibility
HMD18 The head of division is responsible for general superintendence of work of Manning Division, and preparation of Sketch Vote "A."
119 Admiralty Representative on Navy Employment Agency, Alterations in "Instructions for Mobilisation, Control of Railway Traffic in time of War, 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.
219 Auxiliary requirements of the Home Ports for War, Complement Committee questions, Monthly Mobilising List of Officers, Preparation for Peace Manœuvres.

War Division
SectionAdmiralty RoomResponsibility
HWD32 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.
331 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.
431 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.

Attribution

Primary source for this article is by Harley Simon, Lovell Tony,, Naval Mobilisation Department, dreadnoughtproject.org, http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org.