Edward James Headlam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Capt. Sir.
Edward James Headlam
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Capt. Sir. Edward James Headlam.jpg
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| Born | 1 May 1873 Darlington |
| Died | 14 Jul 1943 |
| Allegiance | British India |
| Service/ |
Royal Indian Marine |
| Years of service | 24 July 1889 - 6 Sept 1929 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Alma mater | Durham School, HMS Conway |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Hobson née Benyon |
Edward James Headlam was a very important leader in the Royal Indian Marine (RIM). He served as its Director for six years, from 1922 to 1928. His ideas were key to changing the RIM into a fighting navy, which later became the Royal Indian Navy. His men even gave him a nickname, 'Purana Nimak', which means 'old salt' in Urdu. This nickname showed how much they respected his experience at sea.
Contents
Life of Edward Headlam
Edward James Headlam was born on May 1, 1873, in Darlington, England. His parents were Morley Headlam and Whorlton Grange.
In 1918, he married Nancy Benyon. She was the widow of Stanley Hobson from Nigeria.
His Amazing Career
Edward Headlam started his naval career on July 24, 1889. He joined the Royal Naval Reserve on the training ship Conway. He quickly moved up the ranks. He became a Sub-Lieutenant in the Marine Survey on October 3, 1894. Then, he became a Lieutenant on April 1, 1900.
As a Sub-Lieutenant, he served on the ship RIMS Mayo. He was part of a team that copied and photographed ancient Himyaric inscriptions. This happened on February 21, 1896.
Key Roles and Promotions
Captain Headlam held many important positions throughout his career:
- He trained on H.M. Training Ship Conway from 1887 to 1889.
- He served on the White Star Line Sailing Ship Copley from 1889 to 1893.
- He joined the Royal Indian Marine as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1894.
- He worked with the Marine Survey of India from 1897 to 1914.
- He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1900.
- He helped as an Assistant Marine Transport Officer in North China from 1900 to 1901.
- He was promoted to Commander in 1913.
- During World War I, he was a Naval Transport Officer for East African Forces from 1914 to 1917.
- He received a special promotion to Captain in 1914-1915.
- He became the Principal Naval Transport Officer for South and East Africa from 1917 to 1919.
- Finally, he became the Director of the Royal Indian Marine from 1922 to 1928.
- He retired from service on September 6, 1929.
Helping India's Shipping
Captain Headlam played a big role in several important events and changes.
The Delhi Durbar Event
In 1911, he was in charge of the Naval Camp at the Delhi Durbar. This was a grand ceremony for King George V. Headlam commanded the Lascars and Stokers of the RIM. Their special job was to handle the Royal Standard flag at all ceremonies. Two men were always at the King's Camp to make sure the flag flew perfectly. The huge flagstaff and the large flag were made in Bombay.
World War I Contributions
During World War I, Captain Headlam was the Marine Transport Officer for the Indian Expeditionary Force in East Africa. He helped with landing and evacuating troops during the Battle of Tanga. For the evacuation, he gathered 30 ship's boats. These boats were manned by volunteers. The evacuation was completed in just over two hours.
He also commanded transport ships like Barjora and Rheinfels. These ships carried soldiers and artillery. On December 18, 1914, he made a fake landing at Moa. Then, he went to Manza Bay and captured some small boats.
Working with Bombay Port
From 1917 to 1922, Captain Headlam was an acting member of the Board of Trustees for the Bombay Port Trust. He represented the Directors of the Royal Indian Marine. On July 7, 1922, he was officially appointed to the Board. This happened after Rear-Admiral H L Mawbey resigned. On August 4, 1922, he was appointed Director of the Royal Indian Marine.
Captain Headlam was a key figure in changing the Royal Indian Marine into a modern navy.
Ideas for Indian Shipping
On January 12, 1922, the Indian Legislative Assembly decided that India needed its own shipping industry. A committee was formed on February 3, 1923, to figure out how to make this happen. This committee was called the Indian Mercantile Marine Committee. Captain Headlam was its leader.
The committee had several goals:
- To train Indians for careers at sea.
- To encourage the creation of an Indian Mercantile Marine (India's own shipping fleet).
- To set up a training ship in India for young Indians.
- To provide chances for them to become apprentices on merchant ships.
- To help them find jobs after their training.
- To start nautical schools and teach Marine Engineering.
- To control India's coastal trade.
The committee made important suggestions. They believed that India's coastal trade should be mainly for Indian ships. They also said that the Royal Indian Marine should become an Indian Navy. This new navy would defend India's coast, harbors, and ships. They also suggested a training ship in Bombay, similar to famous British training ships.
Based on the Headlam Committee's ideas, another committee was set up in February 1925. This committee was led by General Lord Rawlinson. Captain Headlam was also a part of this group. Their goal was to plan how to turn the Royal Indian Marine into a fighting force. This was the first step for India to develop its own navy and eventually defend itself at sea.
Following the recommendations of these two committees, the Indian Navy Bill was introduced in the British Parliament on March 2, 1927. After many discussions, the bill was passed and became law on June 29, 1927. This law was called the Government of India (Indian Navy) Act 1927.
This act allowed the Indian Legislature to create the Indian Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934. This new act was approved on September 8, 1934. Finally, on October 2, 1934, in Bombay, the Royal Indian Marine officially ended. In its place, the Royal Indian Navy was born!
Awards and Recognition
Captain Headlam received many awards and honors for his service:
- On October 14, 1900, he received a Bronze Medal from the Royal Humane Society. This was for saving a Sepoy who fell overboard from a ship.
- He received a Medal and was mentioned in official reports for his service in China in 1900-1901.
- He was awarded the Military Order of the Dragon.
- He received a Medal and Clasp for his work in the Persian Gulf in 1911-1912.
- He earned the Bronze Star, 1914-15 Star, British War, and Victory Medals. He was mentioned in official reports four times during World War I.
- He received the Distinguished Service Order on January 1, 1916.
- He was mentioned in official reports again on January 30, 1917, for his work in East Africa.
- He was made a Companion of the CMG in 1919.
- He became a Companion of the Star of India on June 3, 1924.
- He was nominated for knighthood in June 1928. He was officially knighted on March 27, 1929, at St. James Palace.
