Stanley Colville

Who was Stanley Colville?

Admiral Sir Stanley Cecil James Colville GCB GCMG GCVO was a British Royal Navy officer.

Colville was born in Eaton Place, London, the second son of Charles Colville, 10th Lord Colville of Culross, entitling him to the style "The Honourable". His mother, Cecile, was the daughter of Robert Carrington, 2nd Baron Carrington. Colville was educated at Marlborough College and entered the training ship Britannia in July 1874. In October 1876 he was promoted Midshipman and appointed to the battleship Sultan in the Mediterranean Fleet. In May 1878 he transferred to the battleship Black Prince in the Channel Fleet and in January 1879 to the corvette Boadicea at the Cape of Good Hope Station. Later that year he served on land during the Zulu War. In October 1880 he was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant and posted to Portsmouth for further training.

In July 1882 he joined the battleship Alexandra, flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. He was promoted Lieutenant in November 1882 for his services at the bombardment of Alexandria. In May 1883 he joined the corvette Canada on the North American Station, serving alongside Midshipman Prince George of Wales. In September 1884 he rejoined Alexandra and served ashore with the force attempting to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum. In October 1889 he joined the sloop Buzzard on the North America Station.