Walker served in the 1st Destroyer Flotilla while Andrew Cunningham commanded the formation from December 1922 to July 1924. Cunningham was the flotilla commander rather than her regular captain, although he apparently operated from Walker during one exercise. Her own lieutenant commander had transferred from HMS Queen Mary to a destroyer appointment in July 1915. He later held dockyard appointments at captain rank and was respected for organisation and leadership, even though he did not advance to flag rank. His career illustrates how an officer could remain useful in a role suited to his abilities without further promotion. Several other former commanders of Walker went on to command aircraft carriers in the 1930s.
Notable Point · 24:52-27:04
Destroyer command and interwar officer development
Andrew Cunningham's flotilla command and the later carrier careers of several Walker officers connect destroyer service to the Royal Navy's wider leadership pool.