Captain Frederick Burnaby Noble, Royal Navy (16 August 1876 – 8 July 1946).
Born in India, the son of a Colonel, Noble gained a commendable six months time on passing out of Britannia in July of 1892. He received his first appointment in the second class battleship Victoria, flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron, in September 1892. Noble was fortunate to be appointed from her at the end of the year, to Imperieuse of the China Station, thus avoiding involvement in Victoria's loss the following June.
Noble was promoted to Lieutenant on 31 December 1898.
In January 1903, Noble was lightly chastised for colliding with a pier in Felixstowe with Hardy.
On 26 January 1904, he was placed in command of the gunboat Moorhen on the China Station. In September 1904, Noble's service record was inscribed, "Appreciation expressed of able manner in which he performed voyage up West River, China, to Nan King, without any damage to Moorhen & T.L. satisfaction at his useful and informative report." However, this report apparently jinxed him, for the next notation, dated 1905, reads "Grounding of Moorhen in West River, China. CinC directs him to be more careful in future." On balance, he was performing creditably, as in May 1906, Admiral Moore praised his handling of Moorhen.
Noble returned to England in the P&O vessel Macedonia, arriving 23 April 1910.
He was promoted to Commander on 22 June 1911 and
was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 116 on 9 August 1911, being also placed in command of the Portsmouth Flotilla. His inspections during this period seemed especially glowing, in August 1913: "V. Satis inspn of TB116. Great credit due for state of flotilla."
Noble commanded T.B. 116 through the first two years of the war.
On 22 June 1915, he was diagnosed with chronic constipation, but judged fit. On 18 November 1916 he was superseded in command of T.B. 116 and appointed in command of the destroyer Arun. On 13 April 1917 he was sick on shore with hemorrhoids and not expected to be fit for a month, which eventually proved to be two months. On 19 June, 1917 he was found fit and recommended by Admiral Colville. He was appointed in command of the Laforey Class destroyer Lark on 25 July 1917.
Noble had a "soft landing" in the war, being appointed to Dartmouth College on 9 January 1918 and remaining there until January1919.
An appointment in command of Amphitrite dated 1 May 1919 was cancelled. On 15 May, Noble was placed on half pay.
Placed on the Retired List at his own request on 25 August 1919, Noble was permitted to apply for a step in rank upon reaching age 45. This happened accordingly when Noble was promoted to the rank of Captain on 16 August 1921.