About William Sells
Lived 1881 – 1966 (aged 85). William Sells was a naval officer.
Vice-Admiral William Fortescue Sells CMG (19 January 1881 – 31 March 1966) was a Royal Navy officer who became Flag Officer, Dungeness Station.
Naval career Sells joined to Royal Navy in the late 19th century and was promoted to lieutenant on 19 January 1901. He served as naval attaché at the British Embassy in Athens during the First World War for which he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. Promoted to captain on 31 December 1918, he became commanding officer of the depot ship HMS Sandhurst in March 1919, Captain of Devonport Gunnery School in May 1923 and Captain of the cruiser HMS Cleopatra in November 1925. He went on to be Captain of the battleship HMS Emperor of India in January 1928 and Captain of the battleship HMS Benbow in May 1929, before retiring in April 1930. He was recalled and served as Royal Naval Officer, Carnarvon from November 1942 and as Flag Officer at Dungeness Station from June 1944 during the Second World War.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped William Sells's
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Sells?
British vice-admiral
When was William Sells born?
William Sells was born on 19 January 1881.
When did William Sells die?
William Sells died on 31 March 1966.
What was William Sells's occupation?
William Sells was a naval officer.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Sells. https://biography.guide/william-sells/
MLA: "William Sells." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-sells/.
Chicago: "William Sells." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-sells/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:17 UTC