Admiralty leadership losses and Churchill's influence

Henderson died in May 1939, and Backhouse followed in June. Fraser had taken over as Third Sea Lord in March and had little opportunity for a substantial handover from Henderson. He was still a rear admiral and would not become a vice admiral until May 1940. The explanation gives weight to that loss of experience and seniority when assessing the board's response to Churchill. Pound, Fraser and their colleagues are described as capable and conscientious officers whose personalities were less suited to confronting him. Roger Keyes is suggested as a stronger counterweight because of his senior commands and political experience. This is an interpretation of institutional balance, rather than proof that a different appointment would have prevented the pause.