Vice-Admiral Horace Walker Longden, CMG was born on 12 January 1877.
As a sub-Lieutenant, he was appointed to the second class protected cruiser Leander on 24 July 1897.
He was promoted to Captain on 30 June 1916.
He was appointed in command of the battleship Valiant on 1 April 1919.
He was appointed in command of the battlecruiser Tiger in May 1925.