Posted by Mike Field on January 27, 2012 at 05:55:00 user mikefield.
In Reply to: Re: Commander Walker's postings (again) posted by Peter Dowden on January 26, 2012 at 15:41:24:
I can't answer the last part Peter, but if Ted Walker had eventually made it to Captain's rank, then he could have hoped for retirement as a Read-Admiral. If he was good enough he'd have made that rank before retirement of course, and perhaps have gone on to become Vice-Admiral, Admiral, or even Admiral of the Fleet while still on active service.
The point about Rear-Admirals was really that the RN had too many Admirals, so when most Captains reached that level near retirement they were simply retired with that rank -- it was a sot-of honorary rank, but ensured that when they went on to the Retired List it was with a level of pay (and honour) that reflected their level of service.
I think it's pretty-well established that in 'Secret Water' Ted's rank was Commander (with his next promotion if/when it happened being to Captain), but that Peggy -- unlike the Swallows who were versed in the ways of the Navy -- thought he might have been a 'Captain' and incorrectly referred to him as such.