Arthur Pridham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Pridham
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|---|---|
| Birth name | Arthur Francis Pridham |
| Born | 3 June 1886 |
| Died | 27 January 1975 (aged 88) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Rank | Vice admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Calliope HMS Curlew HMS Excellent HMS Hood |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Francis Pridham (3 June 1886 – 27 January 1975) was an important officer in the Royal Navy, the United Kingdom's navy. He served his country during both World War I and World War II.
Arthur Francis Pridham was born on June 3, 1886. He joined the Royal Navy when he was young. This was the start of a long and successful career at sea.
In January 1903, Arthur Pridham became a naval cadet. This meant he was training to be an officer. He was assigned to the battleship HMS Jupiter. A battleship is a very large, heavily armed warship. He served with the Channel Fleet, which protected the waters around Britain. He stayed on HMS Jupiter until it was taken out of service in January 1905. On October 1, 1908, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
Leading Ships and Training
As he grew in rank, Pridham took command of several light cruisers in the late 1920s. Light cruisers are smaller, faster warships. From 1933 to 1936, he led the gunnery school at HMS Excellent. This school taught sailors how to use naval guns effectively.
After that, from 1936 to 1938, he commanded the famous battlecruiser Hood. A battlecruiser is a large warship, similar to a battleship but designed for more speed.
Serving in Wartime
During World War II, Arthur Pridham played a key role. From 1942 to 1945, he was the President of the Ordnance Board. This board was responsible for all the weapons and ammunition used by the Royal Navy. His work helped ensure that British forces had the equipment they needed during the war. He passed away on January 27, 1975.
