William Agnew (Royal Navy officer)
Sir William Gladstone Agnew was an officer of the Royal Navy. He served during the First and Second World Wars, and rose to the rank of vice-admiral.
Agnew was the fifth son of Charles Morland Agnew and Evelyn Mary Agnew, née Naylor. Agnew was educated at Royal Naval College, Osborne, and at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, joining the Navy in 1911. During the First World War he served aboard the battleships and, as well as the destroyer. During the inter war years Agnew served aboard and as gunnery officer aboard.
In October 1940 he was transferred to the cruiser as commanding officer. His command was moved to the Mediterranean in 1941 and together with and destroyers and formed Force K based in Malta. Commodore Agnew commanded Force K during the destruction of the Duisburg convoy on 8 November 1941 and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath for this action. In June 1943 the Aurora was used to convey King George VI to Malta and Agnew was created a Companion of the Royal Victorian Order for this service.
Agnew was given command of, the Royal Navy's gunnery school in 1943. In 1946 he was given command of, remained aboard her after his promotion to rear-admiral in January 1947, and was in command during the royal tour of South Africa. On conclusion of the tour he was appointed Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. In August 1947 Agnew was appointed director of personal services at the Admiralty, where he remained until October 1949. In January 1950 he retired from the navy at his own request, and later in the year was promoted to vice-admiral on the retired list.
After retirement from the navy he was General Secretary of the National Playing Fields Association, from 1950 to 1953, and was also active in local government.
Agnew married Patricia Caroline Bewley in 1930. They had no children. At the time of his death he was living at Glentimon, Palmerston Way, Alverstoke, Hampshire.
