Admiral Sir Thomas Dawson Lees Sheppard, K.B.E., C.B., M.V.O., (7 April, 1866 – 24 February, 1953)
Life and Career
Thomas Dawson Lees Sheppard was born in Cheltenham on 7 April, 1866, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel T. D. Sheppard of The King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment.
At the examination for naval cadetships, Sheppard was placed sixth out of thirty-seven successful applicants.
He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June 1889, and to Commander on 1 January 1900.
Captain
Sheppard was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June 1904.
From September 1905 until sometime in 1906, he was captain of the second class battleship Renown.
On the occasion of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to India, on 15 May 1906, Sheppard was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.), dated 11 March.
He was appointed in command of Sutlej in January 1909, remaining with her for just two months, as in March he assumed command of the armoured cruiser Donegal.
He was appointed in command of Queen from September 1911 until 17 May 1912, when he was appointed in command of the Zealandia.
He was appointed Commodore, Second Class Commanding the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth on 21 April, 1914.
The Great War
On 18 December 1914, Sheppard took command of H.M.S. Neptune in the Grand Fleet. He was superseded in command of Neptune on 11 February 1916, and was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 15 February. He was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the Ninth Cruiser Squadron on 8 December 1916. He retained the command until 3 January, 1919. He was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1918.
Post War
Sheppard was appointed Officer in Command of Allied Naval Forces in Schleswig on 17 October 1919, with his flag in Carysfort.
On 19 February 1920, he was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral.
Sheppard completed his work in Schleswig in June of 1920.
He was placed on the Retired List on 1 May 1922 at his own request. On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed a Knight Commander in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) on 3 June.
He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 8 May, 1925.