The photo shows Ruck-Keene as Flag Lieutenant to Rear Admiral Arthur Alington in 1895-6.
William George Elmhirst Ruck Keene was born at Henley on 30 January 1867 and died on 30 January 1935.
He was appointed to the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert on 1 July, 1890 and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 26 August.
He was appointed Flag Lieutenant to Vice-Admiral Edward H Seymour on 8 July, 1896, for the Annual Manœuvres.
Upon the return of Orphir, Ruck-Keene was specially promoted to the rank of Commander on 6 November, 1901. A series of short-term appointments in command of destroyers followed, carrying him into March of 1903 when he was appointed to the central battery ironclad Superb.
He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June 1906.
Ruck-Keene was appointed in command of Bacchante, and as Flag Captain to Rear-Admiral Sir Henry D Barry on 8 January 1907.
On the occasion of the King's cruise in the Mediterranean Ruck-Keene was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 4 May 1909.
On 4 April 1911, Ruck-Keene was appointed in command of the Admiralty yacht Enchantress.
He was appointed in command of the armoured cruiser Cochrane on 9 August 1912.
Jellicoe wrote to Sir Henry Jackson on 27 June, 1915:
I think I ought to tell you that the opinion of flag officers under whom Ruck Keene has lately served is that he is not the man he once was. I did not say anything about him when you mentioned to me that he would make a good Captain of the Fleet vice Everett as I thought that my opinion of him (formed after Cochrane had been under me when I had 2nd Battle Squadron) is that he lacked energy, might be incorrect. But when you mentioned his names as probably going to Admiralty in connection with anti-submarine warfare, I made some enquiries.
Madden says he has ability but is lazy, lacks energy & has run to seed & is nervous.
Calthorpe says he has ability but is distinctly nervous. (I fancy Calthorpe would not regret his departure).
I hope you won't mind my telling you this, but the appointment for which you had him in mind being one that requires great energy & go I felt it right to tell you.
On 8 July Jackson replied to Jellicoe: "I'm sorry Ruck Keene has deteriorated. I expect he is stale. At any rate there will be nothing to affect his nerves at the Admiralty."
His future in the Navy had been touched upon at a meeting of the Board of Admiralty on 15 June, 1917, when two of the five Sea Lords voted that he be retired on promotion to Flag Rank under Section III of the Order in Council of 9 March 1914. Jellicoe (by now First Sea Lord) and Paine (Fifth Sea Lord) voted that he be retired, while Burney (Second Sea Lord) wavered.
Ruck-Keene was promoted to the rank of Rer Admiral on 1 January 1918.
He was placed on the Retired List, at his own request, on 17 February 1920.
Ruck-Keene was advanced to the rank of Vice Admiral on the Retired List on 7 October 1923, and to Admiral on the Retired List on 1 August, 1927.