Page "Victor Crutchley" Paragraph 12

On 1 May 1937, Crutchley took command of HMS Warspite, which had been completely refitted in three years at Portsmouth.

Due to acceptance trials Warspite was not present at the Coronation Fleet Review of King George VI.

Additional engineering work on the steering gear ( which still suffered from damage taken at Jutland ) and other equipment resulted in weekend leaves for the crew being curtailed, leading to very low morale.

Comments appeared in British newspapers, which culminated in an anonymous letter from a crew member.

This provoked an inquiry by the Admiralty.

The inquiry led to the removal of three of Crutchley's officers, including his executive officer.

Crutchley disagreed with the findings of the Inquiry, and made sure that the confidential report on his executive officer would lead to a promotion to captain.