Vice-Admiral George Clarence Jones, CB

Vice-Admiral George Clarence Jones was the 4th Commander of the Canadian Navy.

Vice-Admiral Jones joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) as a Cadet in 1911. He attended the First Term of the Royal Naval College of Canada (RNCC). From 1913 to 1920, he trained with the Royal Navy (RN) in:

• HMS Berwick
• HMS Suffolk
• HMS Cumberland
• HMS Victory
• HMS Pelican
• HMS Hecla

He also trained on shore at the “stone frigate” HMS Excellent.

In 1917, Jones was named First Lieutenant (Executive Officer) of HMS Vanquisher. In 1918, he served in HMS Wallington and HMS Leander.

In 1919, he returned to the RNCC.

In 1920, he assumed command of the destroyer HMCS Patrician. In 1922, he took command of her sister, HMCS Patriot.

In 1923, he took the RN War Staff Course.

Later that year, he went to the RN battleship HMS Resolution. In 1925, he was appointed to Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in Ottawa. In 1927, he returned to sea with the RN battleship HMS Iron Duke. He served in the RN battleship HMS Benbow in 1928.

Promoted to Commander in 1929, Jones was appointed Commander-in-Charge Halifax. In 1932, he assumed command of the destroyer HMCS Skeena. In 1934, he was named Commanding Officer RCN Barracks Naden in Esquimalt, British Columbia. He became Director Naval Operations and Training at NHQ in 1936.

Promoted to Captain in 1938, he assumed command of the destroyer HMCS Ottawa and Captain (D) of the Canadian Flotilla. In 1940, he was promoted to Commodore First Class. He assumed command of the destroyer HMCS Assiniboine as Commodore Commanding Halifax Force.

In 1940, he was appointed Commanding Officer Atlantic Coast (COAC). He then was promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1941, remaining as COAC. In 1942, he became Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Services Headquarters (NSHQ) in Ottawa.

On promotion to his current rank in 1944, Vice-Admiral Jones was appointed Chief of the Naval Staff. He served in this position until his untimely death in February 1946.