Of all the buildings within the Dockyard, Commissioner’s House is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating. Compared to the ropery and the storehouses, where one would expect to find graffiti, the house which was the residence of the various Admirals Superintendent may be the last where you would encounter the names of those who “should know better”.
The list of those whose names appear on the rear wall of the building begins with
[35] Rear Admiral George Willes Watson in residence from 1st December 1881. He achieved the rank of Vice Admiral before he left on 12th March 1886.
The name of [36] Rear Admiral William Codrington, CBS was there from 1st May 1886 but resigned the post due to ill-health ad died 29th July 1888.
[37] Rear Admiral Edward Kelly lived in the house from 1st November 1887 from the result of aneurism of the heart, which had laid dormant and unsuspected since the severe rheumatic fever he contracted from exposure at the burning of the Bombay.
[38] Rear Admiral George Digby Morant. From January 1892 to 2nd September 1895. He was promoted Vice Admiral in June 1895 and superceded 2nd September 1895 o promotion.
[39] Rear Admiral Hilary G Andoe CB from 2nd September 1895 and was superceded 2nd September 1899 (extended one year) on completeion of term of service.
[40] Rear Admiral Swinton C Holland from 2nd September 1899 and superceded on completion of period of office.
The above information has been taken from the Chatham Dockyard Historical Society Research Paper No 12 “Commissioners in Residence, Admiral Superintendents and Port Admirals. (Transcribed from the original lists by Peter Dawson, General Editor for CDHS)
