ABSTRACT
Cunningham joined the training ship Britannia in January 1897, among 65 cadets, the sons of peers, gentlemen, business or professional men. Cunningham was responsible for smartness, efficiency and the discipline of the crew. That Cunningham revelled in these opportunities is clear from his account of a night attack on the battleships anchored in a defended harbour on the Greek coast. The revolution is associated, however, mainly with Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher, influenced by Corbett and mentor of Richmond. Fisher effected reforms in officer recruitment, service conditions and the manning of ships. Though the Edwardian era would have seen great changes, he gave them a major fillip and made Winston Churchill a disciple. Cunningham was listed as a member of the Naval Review after the war but he was far from being a 'Young Turk'; indeed, he termed the movement 'subversive' and challenged authority only on a practical, personal basis.
