Thomas Fremantle

Vice-Admiral of the Blue Sir Thomas Francis Fremantle, 1st Baron Fremantle, (20 November 1765 – 19 December 1819) was a Royal Navy officer and politician who served in the American War of Independence and French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. During his career, Fremantle fought in three separate fleet actions, formed a close friendship with Horatio Nelson and was granted an Austrian barony. He was the father of Sir Charles Fremantle, after whom the city Fremantle in Western Australia is named.

Early life

Thomas Francis Fremantle was born on 20 November 1765 in Aston Abbotts, Buckinghamshire, the son of John and Frances Fremantle. His younger brother was William Fremantle, who would go on to be knighted and become a member of Parliament. In 1777, Fremantle joined the Royal Navy in 1777 as an 11-year old midshipman aboard the frigate HMS Hussar. He resumed active service in 1810, serving in the Adriatic campaign of 1807–1814. Fremantle was elevated to flag rank during this period, being promoted to Rear-Admiral of the Blue on 31 July 1810, Rear-Admiral of the White on 12 August 1812 and again to Rear-Admiral of the Red on 4 June 1814. In the Adriatic Sea, he successfully employed the frigate squadrons under him against the Kingdom of Italy and French-held Dalmatia.

Following Napoleon's first abdication in April 1814, the remaining areas of the Balkan coast held by France and its allies surrendered to Fremantle, leading to the capture of over 800 ships and netting Fremantle a vast fortune. For his services he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on 12 April 1815, as well as a baron of the Austrian Empire, and in 1818 was appointed the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet; on 12 August 1819 Fremantle was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Blue.