Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland |
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HMS Ark Royal on the River Clyde
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| Active | 1913–2020 |
| Country |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Type | Command (military formation) |
| Part of | Navy Command |
| Garrison/HQ | HM Naval Base Clyde |
The Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland (FOSNI) was a very important job in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. The person holding this role was the most senior naval officer in Scotland. Their main base was at HM Naval Base Clyde.
This special role started in 1946. Over the years, its name and responsibilities changed a few times. In 1994, it became the Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England & Northern Ireland (FOSNNI), covering a bigger area. It went back to its original name in 2015. Finally, in 2020, the role was ended as part of changes in the Royal Navy.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of FOSNI
The Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland role was the top naval position in Scotland. It grew from earlier important jobs that started way back in 1913, just before World War I began. Back then, it was called the Senior Officer on the Coast of Scotland.
Changing Names and Roles Over Time
In 1916, the title changed to Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth. After World War II, in 1946, it became the Flag Officer Scotland & Northern Ireland. For many years, from 1961 to 1994, the Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland also had two other big jobs related to NATO's naval forces. These roles involved helping to protect the North Sea from Soviet Navy ships and submarines during the Cold War.
When the main naval command moved from Rosyth to HMNB Clyde in 1994, the job's area grew. It then became the Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland. This meant the officer was in charge of a much larger part of the UK's coastline. In 2015, the name changed back to Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland. The role was finally removed in 2020 and replaced by a new position called Commodore Submarine Service (COSM).
During the Second World War, several important naval bases were under the command of the Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth. These included places like Invergordon, Aberdeen, Leith, and the Tyne. These bases were like "shore establishments" – naval facilities on land that supported the fleet.
One important wartime base was Aultbea on Loch Ewe. It was first used in World War I and then reopened in 1940 during World War II. This happened after a German attack on Scapa Flow, which made the main British fleet temporarily move to Aultbea. It was also a key starting point for the arctic convoys. These convoys were groups of ships that carried vital supplies to the Soviet Union, often facing dangerous conditions. Aultbea stayed open until 1967.
Important Leaders: Admirals Commanding
Many important naval officers, called Admirals, held these senior positions over the years. They were in charge of protecting the coasts of Scotland and Northern Ireland and leading naval operations in the region.
The role had different names over time, and each period saw a new set of leaders:
- Admiral Commanding on the Coast of Scotland (1913–1916)
- Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth (1913–1919 and again 1939–1946)
- Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Scotland (1919–1939)
- Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland (1946–1994 and again 2015–2020)
- Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland (1994–2015)
These admirals played a crucial part in the Royal Navy's history, especially during the World Wars and the Cold War, by ensuring the safety and readiness of naval forces in this important part of the UK.
Images for kids
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HMS Ark Royal on the River Clyde
