Died 1589 Allegiance England | Service/branch Royal Navy Name William Holstocke | |
Battles/wars Anglo-French War of 1557 to 1559 | ||
Vice Admiral William Holstocke (died 1589) was an English naval commander who became the first Comptroller of the Navy in its original role.
Naval career
Holstocke first went to sea in 1534 as page to Richard Gonson's voyages to Crete and Chios, and returned there the next year where he served as purser. By 1546 he was part of the Nay's establishment and obtained an appointed as keeper of the storehouses in 1549.
He was appointed Comptroller of the Navy in 1561. He served in the Anglo-French War of 1557 to 1559 and in 1563 helped evacuate the English garrison at Le Havre. He was responsible for building or re-building many of Queen Elizabeth's ships. At the time of the Spanish Armada he was engaged in preparing the Queen's ships although he saw no active duty. He died in 1589 and was buried at St Mary-at-Hill.