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The First Cruiser Squadron was a Royal Navy squadron of armoured cruisers that saw service as part of the Mediterranean and Grand Fleets during the First World War. It was originally formed in 1909, but was renamed on 1 January 1913 to First Battle Cruiser Squadron. It was reformed afterwards.
Contents
Background
When the First World War began, the squadron was assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet where it participated in the pursuit of the German battlecruiser SMS Goeben and the light cruiser SMS Breslau. It joined the Grand Fleet by January 1915 where it participated in the battles of Dogger Bank and the Battle of Jutland. It was disbanded after the battle as three of its four ships had been sunk.
It was reformed in 1917 with the three large light cruisers of the Courageous class. The squadron was the main British force in the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight in late 1917.
Armoured cruisers
Light cruisers
24 January 1915
22 February 1915
30 May 1916
October 1917
17 November 1917
Post Second World War
Then-Rear Admiral Ralph Edwards, C.B.E. R.N. was Rear Admiral Commanding First Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet, and Flag Officer (Air), Mediterranean in the late 1940s. He commanded the squadron from his former command HMS Gambia.