Somerville returned to the Admiralty in 1922 as Deputy Director of Signals, effectively the Royal Navy's second-ranking communications specialist. His remit influenced wireless telegraphy, radio and electronics research, command protocols, and the standards that would govern future fleet communications. The office also let him synthesize the operational experience assembled at the Portsmouth Signal School since 1917. Although still a commander by rank, he possessed more institutional pull and specialized knowledge than many officers who formally outranked him. Technical authority could shape fleet command before an officer accumulated much independent ship command.
Chapter · 43:32-45:10
Deputy Director of Signals carried authority beyond Somerville's rank
At the Admiralty in 1922, Somerville became the Royal Navy's second-ranking communications specialist and helped set technical research, standards, and command protocols.