Percy Walker Nelles | |
|---|---|
 Rear-Admiral Percy Walker Nelles, RCN, Chief of the Naval Staff, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 1940. | |
| Born | 7 January 1892 Brantford, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | 13 June 1951 (aged 59) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Service/ | Royal Canadian Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Chief of the Naval Staff |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath[1] Legion of Merit[1] |
| Relations | Son of BGen Charles M. Nelles, CMG[1] |
Admiral Percy Walker Nelles, CB (7 January 1892 – 13 July 1951) was a flag officer in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Chief of the Naval Staff from 1 January 1934 to 15 January 1944. He oversaw the massive wartime expansion of the RCN and the transformation of Canada into a major player in the Battle of the Atlantic. During his tenure U-boats raided the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canadian Northwest Atlantic command was created, and the RCN provided up to 40% of all escort forces in the North Atlantic. His handling of the RCN's war effort had its opponents however, and he was removed from his post as Chief of the Naval Staff in January 1944. He was sent to London as Overseas Naval Attaché, coordinating RCN operations for Operation Overlord. He retired in January 1945 as a full admiral.
- ^ a b c "Admiral Percy Walker Nelles". Beginnings. CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum. Archived from the original on 30 July 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2010.