Richard Peirse (Royal Navy officer)


Sir Richard Henry Peirse, was a senior Royal Navy officer during the First World War.

Naval career

Peirse joined the Royal Navy in 1873 and, in 1885, developed a new naval director which was to become the fire-control system used in all ships with large guns. Promoted to captain in 1900, he commanded during the Second Boer War.
Promoted to rear admiral in February 1909, Peirse was appointed Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station in 1913. Then promoted to vice admiral in October 1914, he served in the First World War taking part in the attack on Smyrna in 1915, where he outgunned the Turkish Fleet. He continued in his role on the East Indies Station until December 1915. He was promoted to admiral in March 1918.
After the war Peirse became Naval Member of the Central Committee of the Board of Invention and Research. He retired from the navy in January 1919.

Personal life

Peirce lived in Upper Norwood in London
and there is a memorial to him in Bedale Parish Church in North Yorkshire.
His son, Sir Richard Peirse, became air chief marshal.

Awards and decorations