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Name: BLUNT, William Frederick CBE, DSO (Rear-Admiral)

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Nee: bro of Montague Cecil and Reginald Arthur Blunt

Birth Date: 3 Mar 1870 Mortlake, Surrey, England

Death Date: 5 July 1928 Nakuru

First Date: 1888 with Royal Navy - settled in EA 1920

Profession: In 1888 he was a midshipman of HMS Garnet during the blockade of the Zanzibar Coast. He retired in 1922 after a distinguished naval career and lived near Solai.

Area: Baharini, Solai

Married: In Malta 29 Dec 1896 Laura Mary Grace Katherine Mawbey b. 26 Mar 1872 Portsmouth

Children: Richard Frederick (1903 Valetta, Malta); Cecil Henry William (15 Dec 1897 Hampshire-1984 Haywards Heath)

Book Reference: Gillett, Debrett, KAD, Red 25, Hut, DSO, Barnes

School: Sutherland House, Folkestone

General Information:

Debrett - entered RN 1883, became Lieut. 1892, Com. 1904, Capt. 1911, and Rear-Admiral (retired) 1922. Zanzibar 1888-9, Crete 1897-8, China 1900-01 (medal), Red Sea 1902, European War 1914-19, present at battles of Heligoland Bight and Jutland (despatches, DSO, CBE)
Red 25 - was Midshipman of HMS Garnet during blockade of Zanzibar Coast 1888; Lieut. in command HHS Dragon during operations at Crete 1897; Lieut in command of HMS Fearless at the action in Heligoland Bight, and at the Cuxhaven Raid, Christmas Day 1914; Capt. in command of 1st Destroyer Flotilla 1913-15, HMS Jupiter 1915-16; operations at Aden and in Suez Canal; Capt. HMS Gloucester at the battle of Jutland (despatches commended); HMS Berwick and HMS Achilles, 1916-19, Atlantic Convoy Service; retired list 1921; Rear-Admiral retired 1922
Pioneers - Subukia and Solai - by PRW - In 1925 there was very heavy rain, and one day no less than 7 cars were stuck on an extremely bad patch of mud. Admiral Blunt volunteered to try and find a diversion and so took off into the bundu. After waiting for some time we thought we had better go and find out what had happened, but no trace of the Admiral, his wife or his car was to be seen. It eventually transpired that they had all disappeared into a newly formed donga and the bush had closed over the car, leaving no sign. On another occasion the Admiral, travelling with his wife from Solai to Nakuru in his box-body Model T Ford, hit a pothole with such impact that not only did his good lady hit the roof, but her head went straight through it. The plywood then, as plywood will, closed round her neck and nothing that the Admiral could do would release her. As the vehicle was also stuck in the mud, there was nothing for it but to walk to Nakuru for help. As the Admiral trudged on it began to rain. The road surface became muddier and muddier. By the time he reached Nakuru he was exhausted, soaked, and covered in mud. His friends rallied round him. A little drink would do him a power of good. Two little drinks …. Several hours later someone asked the Admiral how his missus was. It was the first time he had given the poor woman a thought.
DSO - Capt. Blunt was mentioned in Rear-Admiral A.H. Christian's Despatches dated 28 Sept 1914 (London Gazette 23/10/14) - "Commodore Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt was in charge of the Destroyer Flotillas, and his report is enclosed herewith. His attack was delivered with great skill and gallantry, and he was most ably seconded by Captain William F. Blunt, in the Fearless, and the officers in command of the Destroyers, who handled their vessels in a manner worthy of the best traditions of the British Navy." Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt said in his Despatch dated 26 Sept 1914 (London Gazette 23/10/14) - "A beg again to call attention to the services rendered by Capt. W.F. Blunt, of HMS Fearless, and the Commanding Officers of the 1st and 3rd Flotillas, whose gallant attacks on the German cruisers at critical moments undoubtedly saved the Arethusa from more severe punishment and possible capture". In recognition of his services on this occasion, Capt. Blunt was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 23/10/1914 - "William Frederick Blunt, Capt., Royal Navy." Capt. Blunt took part in the Cuxhaven raid, Christmas Day 1914. He was Captain of HMS Gloucester at the Battle of Jutland 31 May 1916, and was mentioned in Despatches 15 Sept 1916, and specially commended for his services on that occasion. A newspaper paragraph, entitled "The Glory of the Gloucester" says: "Arrangements have been made for the white ensign flown by His Majesty's ship Gloucester in the Jutland Battle to be deposited in Gloucester Cathedral on 17 Oct. Capt. Blunt DSO, who was in command of the cruiser, in a letter to the Mayor of Gloucester, says: 'It may interest the citizens of Gloucester to know that, though their nameship was fortunate enough to escape both injuries and casualties, she was able to give a very good account of herself, and provided the finishing touches which sank a German light cruiser of the Elbing class. The bearing and conduct of officers and men were all that could be desired. I have the greatest pleasure in thus testifying to the citizens of Gloucester that nothing but the utmost credit is due to the ship named after their illustrious city.'" He became Captain in commamnd of HMS Berwick, and late of HMS Achilles.
Nakuru North cemetery - Rear Admiral William Frederick Blunt, RN, died 5/7/1928 aged 58
KAD 1922 - Capt. W.E. Blunt, Solai
Gazette - 10/7/1928 - Probate and Administration - Admiral William Frederick Blunt, late of Solai who died at Solai on 6 July 1928. Applied for by Montague Cecil Blunt brother of the deceased.

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