John Allday

Biography


John Allday was born in Falmouth, Cornwall, the son of Kenneth Allday. His father volunteered for the King's Service in 1666 rising from Ordinary Seaman to Sailing Master of HMS St. Andrew, 96 guns in 1690. Kenneth Allday was killed in action in 1692 during the Battle of La Hogue while leading a boat from the St. Andrew during the raid which resulted in the burning of 12 French ships of the line while at anchor. Because of his bravery during this action which saved the life of the Captain of the St. Andrew, William Pears, Captain Pears agreed to educate and sponsor young John Allday as a midshipman in the Royal Navy when John turned 12 in 1694.

John's first assignment was on board the HMS Captain, a 70 gun 3rd rate commanded by Captain Sir James Keen. Also serving as a midshipman aboard the Captain was the Captain's son, Valentine Keen, and a lifelong friendship started.

John Allday passed his examination for Lieutenant on February 1, 1702 and was assigned to his first frigate as Third Lieutenant. While under this 3 year commission, primarily in the Mediteranean station, he rose to Second Lieutenant. When this commission ended, after 2 months leave at Falmouth, he was assigned Second Lieutenant on HMS St. Albans, a 50 gun 4th rate. Rising to the rank of First Lieutenant of the St. Albans, he distinguished himself in several actions in 1708-9 during the Wars of Spanish Succession, in particular at the capture of Minorca. He was promoted to Commander and given the command of the HMS Sparrow, a 16 gun sloop of war attached to the Mediteranean squadron and tasked with anti-piracy patrols.

In 1714, John Allday was promoted to Captain, Royal Navy and assigned command of the HMS Gibraltar, a new 20 gun 6th rate. He served the next 3 years in the Indian Ocean working to protect merchant ships sailing between England and the new colonies in India. While on India Station, Allday was promoted to Post Captain and ultimately returned to England in 1717. Suffering from fever (malaria) that he caught in India, Allday spent the next 18 months at his Falmouth home recuperating and trying to get a new ship from the Admiralty.

The Admiralty returned John Allday to the active service ranks in 1720 and assigned him to West Indies Station. The Keen family was instrumental in Allday's return to active duty and assignment to the West Indies as Valentine Keen was there heading up the establishment of the English Harbor Master Dockyard to support the efforts of the Royal Navy. Based on his leadership skills, Allday was tasked by the Admirality to organize, train, and form a new squadron for West Indies, The Queen's Own, in late 1720. The Queen's Own fought throughout the bloody battles of 1721 and into 1722 before Admiralty orders transferred the squadron to the Mediteranean Station in early 1722.

John Allday appealed to Admiral Keen and other senior officers at the Admiralty to remain on West Indian station along with several other Captain's of 'The Queen's Own'. In addition to the need to support fleet operations in the region, John Allday, Valentine Keen, and Kate Somervell were also working on behalf of the Admiralty to investigate and uncover possible shameful and near traitorous actions of General Sir James Somervell. Sir James was the late husband of Kate and was suspected in providing assistance to pirates that resulted in a successful raid on the Royal Navy base at St. Johns in early 1721. Because of the interest at Admiralty and by some at Parliament to determine the true facts of the actions of Sir James, the decision was made to permit Allday, Keen, and Lady Somervell to remain on station in the West Indies.

Once in receipt of the decision, John Allday, Valentine Keen, and Kate Somervell requested assignment to St. Georges Squadron and reported for duty in April, 1722. James Campbell joined them in June, 1722.

Since joining the St. Georges Squadron, John Allday has endeavored to contribute towards the honor of the Squadron. He has fought in nearly 50 major fleet engagements and served as an Acting-Commodore in many of them, leading his own groups in addition to serving a second in command for these groups. John Allday has also, on several occasions, either directly led National forces or stepped up to this role as his superiors were made casualties in those actions. As a result of these actions, John Allday has received two military honors for combat against our enemies in addition to being named a Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George by our Sovereign on September 4, 1722.

On February 5th, 1723, Sir John Allday was advanced to peerage, the 1st Viscount St. Kitts, by George I, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. The honor was bestowed on behalf of the service and actions of John Allday in the Royal Navy, and as a Flag Officer and Governor in Chief, Caribbean for St. George Squadron of the White. The title Viscount St. Kitts was selected based on the island of St. Kitts, located in the Lesser Antilles, whose Capital and Primary Port of Basseterre is Governed by St. George Squadron of the White.

September 7, 1723, Lord John Allday, 1st Viscount St. Kitts, was advanced by King George to Earl, and given the title of Earl Falmouth. He is the second Earl Falmouth, the original holder of the title dying in 1665 without an heir. The honor reflects the Allday home in Falmouth and the lands he owns inside the port of Falmouth as well as adjacent to Falmouth. While some would like him to build a new estate, he remains focused on expanding his family home in Falmouth. The one regret, with this advancement, he will now need to acquire a home in London.

John Allday's interests remain focused on growing and improving the skills within the St. George Squadron in addition to supporting the military initiatives of the Royal Navy in the Caribbean Station. This includes running offensive and defensive patrols throughout the region in addition to his activity as part of the main battle fleet. He is immensely honored to be associated with such a gallant and historical Squadron.

The Allday quote is from William Shakespeare's play 'Henry V' - specifically from the St. Crispin Day speech given by King Henry V prior to the battle of Agincourt.

The Allday family motto - Sed Nomini Tuo Da Glorium translates from Latin to - 'But to Thy Name Give the Glory' and is from Psalm 115. This gives acknowledgment and respect to the sacrifice that Kenneth Allday made for God, his Captain, and his Ship at La Hogue in 1692. It was used by William Pears, Captain of HMS St. Andrew, conducting the service burying Kenneth Allday at sea off La Hogue after his death saving the life of his Captain and numerous shipmates while burning and sinking a French 2nd rate during that British victory.

This stresses the focus not being towards individual glory, but shared efforts with his 'brothers' towards honor and victory. Allday believes that how one fights is as, if not more, important than the results.

Friends and Family
Valentine Keen, Freetrader. Full name - Valentine Timothy Keen. Close friend, associate, and shipmate. Son of Captain Sir James Keen, who was John Allday's first commanding officer. Responsible for the English Harbor Master Dockyard, St. Johns.

Valentine Keen comes from a long history of established naval officers. Born in Chatham, he practically grew up around the Royal Dockyard on the River Medway. His grandfather fought De Ruyter during the Dutch wars, and his father rose from a fleet command to Port Admiral of Portsmouth before his present assignment in the Admiralty. His father was Knighted by King George in 1722 in recognition of his service to the Royal Navy. The extended Keen family also includes a number of prominent merchants with extensive business in the East and West Indies in addition to several Members of Parliament from Kent. Valentine's younger brother, James, is presently working on setting up a Master Dockyard at His Majesty's Colony in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The goal of this dockyard is to support Royal Navy operations against the French fortifications being constructed at Fort Ste. Anne (now being called Louisbourg by the French) and threatening our interests on the Grand Banks and our North American colonies.

Valentine Keen rose to the rank of Captain in the Royal Navy, with his last command being HMS Hotspur. Given his skills in organization and in trade, the Admiralty then appointed him to the Royal Dockyard at Chatham as aide de camp to the Captain of the Dockyard. He excelled in his ability to ensure the quality production of vessels for the Royal Navy and in the motivation of the dockyard workers. In 1720, based on his experience and success at Chatham, the Admiralty provided Captain Keen with the charter to build and establish the English Harbor Master Dockyard at St. Johns. Since 1720, Captain Keen has overseen the production of nearly 100 ships including First Rates, Couronne Mastercraft Galleons, and other Rates for His Majesty's Navy. At the last inventory of materials, Captain Keen is responsible for nearly 80 million doubloons of materials and ships.

As the Master of the English Harbor Master Dockyard, Valentine Keen has undertaken shipbuilding efforts to provide basic Fifth and Sixth rate ships to Captain's of the St. George Squadron in addition to producing ships for the Squadron's Captain's Benevolence Fund. The Yard also continues to provide major combatant ships for the Squadron as well as others in the nation. As one of the Administrators of the St. George Squadron Captain's Benevolence Fund, Captain Keen has been instrumental not only in the management and epansion of the plan, but for also making considerable personal donations of additional combat ships for members of the Squadron.

An excellent administrator and trader, Valentine Keen's work at sea is primarily directed towards the needs of trade and economics. However, Valentine Keen will also fight when needed including standing in the line of battle as he did on March 20, 1723 during the defense of Charlestown, commanding HMHV Cornwall, from a major pirate raid from a very heavy pirate fleet. Keen contributed towards the sinking of 3 Pirate ships including a Treason class ship of the line during this fight.

In August, 1723, Valentine Keen was elected as the Governor of the Island of Nevis. Since this appointment, Valentine splits his time between Charlestown and his shipyard in St. Johns. Since becoming Governor, Valentine has made significant improvements to the Infrastructure, Fortifications, and Weaponry at Charlestown making it one of the Crown's most vibrant economic ports in the Caribbean.

Kate Somervell, Privateer. Full name - Kathryn Christie Somervell (nee Campbell) Cousin of John Allday and widow of General Sir James Somervell who died in a Pirate attack on St. Johns in early 1721. There is some scandal being rumored regarding Sir James and his business interests in the Caribbean.

Lady Somervell is the Scotish cousin of John Allday. Born in Argyl, she is related to John Allday via John's mother - who was the sister of Kate's mother. She has three brothers, James Campbell, who fled Argyll for North America after the Massacre of Glencoe, and prior to the Jacobite uprising, is the eldest. Alexander Campbell, the middle brother, is a Gentleman and responsible for the family business interests around Argyl. Her youngest brother, William, died in 1715 leading his Light Company in battle supporting the British Crown, and against Jacobite Highland forces. She also has 1 sister, Eliza Jane McKinnon, who still resides in Argyl with her family. James, shipwrecked on Prince Edward Island in 1704, established several businesses there before expanding his business, working with 'The Queen's Own' squadron in the West Indies during most of 1721 and into mid 1722.

Kate married Sir James Somervell in 1718 in London (having met him in 1717) and moved to St. Johns in 1719 when Sir James was appointed General / Inspector General to the Crown for the West Indies. Sir James, not only had substantial ground military experience on the Continent during the War of Spanish Succession, but also had extensive trade contacts through his family across the Indies and Meditaranean - including running slaves to the southern North American colonies. Once established in St. Johns, Sir James expanded his operations, often in direct opposition to the national interests at Port Royal, Jamaica. Rumour has it that he expanded his slavery operations considerably and cooperated closely with a number of known pirates increasing his personal wealth considerably.

Kate was extremely distressed by the actions of her husband. She appealed to her cousin, John Allday, to investigate on his arrival into the West Indian Station. Evidence was starting to mount of not only the slave running actions of Sir James, but of his corruption and partnerships with certain Brethern elements which not only increased his wealth, but was counter productive to Crown activities in the West Indies. Kate became more estranged from her husband as his focus drifted even further from that of National interests and more towards personal financial gain. At great risk to herself, she began to provide information on Sir James to Captain Allday.

Before a full case could be presented that would overcome the support of Sir James at Court and Parliament, a massive Brethern attack on St. Johns was successful at defeating both the sea and land defenses. Pirates overran St. Johns and during this process, Sir James disappeared. His Aide de camp, Col. Paul Smythe, declared that Sir James died during the last stand at the St. Johns' Fortress, but no body was ever found or identified.

Three months after the raid on St. Johns, Kate learned from a mysterious communique, that Sir James still lived and resided somewhere in Tortuga / Matthew Town in full partnership with the slavers / pirates who dramatically increased his personal wealth since 1719. This anonymous message also indicated that he provided the information to the Brethren that enabled their successful attack and that his orders at the end led to the collapse of resistance and the sacking of St. Johns. However, without more direct evidence to support these claims, there remains little official focus towards making a major effort to capture Sir James or disrupt his actions to expand his slave trade and personal wealth. His protection at Court and in Parliament apparently working to prevent any official action fearing the resulting scandal - and interruption to their shares in the business interests of Sir James.

Kate is concerned that her personal reputation is tied that of her husband and is fully committed to working with John Allday, Valentine Keen, and her brother, James Campbell to discover the truth about Sir James Somervell, acquire the evidence needed to send him to the Tower, and then facilitate his trip to his temporary home in the Tower. Her goal is ultimately restoring her reputation as justice is served. Making this difficult is the support that Sir James has at Court and in Parliament - as his actions also made his partners in running slaves, smuggling, and treachery quite wealthy. Lady Somervell is not lacking enemies and only survives on her own guile, audacity, and the timely assistance of her friends / relatives. She is far more comfortable at sea in one of her fighting ships than on land these days.

James Campbell, Freetrader. Full name: James Archibald Campbell

Kate Somervell's elder brother, James fled his home in Argyll and shipyard in Campbeltown, after the Massacre of Glencoe, when several of his businesses were destroyed by fires set by Jacobites. On the way to Boston, his ship nearly foundered off the Canadian Maritimes and he landed in Prince Edward Island. He started a small shipyard to help establish a fishing fleet for the Grand Banks there before moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he built a larger shipyard to support the maritime trade from Canada to Britain. In addition to shipments of materials from Canada to Europe, James developed a growing trade from Halifax, Boston, and New York, to the Antilles. In order to develop new business operations, James has started constructing and running camps, quarries, plantations, and mills in several locations throughout Antilles to feed raw and manufactured goods into his trade network.

Through his Sister, and their cousin, John Allday, James was introduced to Valentine Keen, the Officer Commanding the English Harbor Master Dockyard. Both have been business partners since that introduction with Campbell's Antilles operations feeding a regular supply of raw and manufactured materials to the English Harbor Master Dockyard. Possessing a tenacious streak, James is one of the merchants who believes in fighting as well as promoting economic growth. In one of his combat ships, he has sailed as a member of over 30 British fleets engaging in major port battles with French, Spanish, and Brethren forces throughout the Caribbean.

He remains distressed by the actions of some of his fellow Scots, particularly with the increasing Jacobite activities against the Crown. One of his younger brothers, William, fought with the Clan Campbell and the British Crown, leading a Light Company and was killed in the victorious battle at Sheriffmuir in 1715. He sends some of the military goods he produces to Argyl along with regular cash contributions to help keep Clan Campbell strong in their fight against the Jacobites that had divided many Scots. This support is known, and he suspects that his enemies have enlisted some of their allies, French and Spanish, to seek him out and eliminate his operations, his support, and his life.

After serving nearly 2 years at the Governor of St. Kitts, based out of Basseterre, James Campbell turned the Governorship over to another leading Officer of the St. George Squadron of the White. While Governor, he worked to expand the infrastructure and production elements on the island to support the economic operations of not only the Squadron, but of the British national operations in the Lesser Antilles. He was very generous in using his own funds to expand the treasury and infrastructure at Basseterre. Today, he remains focused on his business interests, supporting his partner, Valentine Keen, and fighting the growing scourge of the jacobites - and their alliance with the Spanish and several Pirate factions in the Caribbean.

Ships Under Commission

 * HMS Prince of Wales, Trinity class 2nd Rate Warship
 * HMS Terrible, Wenden class 3rd Rate Warship
 * HMS Illustrious, Valiant class 3rd Rate Warship
 * HMS Achates "Old Katie", Macedon class 4th Rate Warship
 * HMS Nassau, Reason class 4th Rate Warship

In Port Royal's Dockyard undergoing refit:
 * HMS Plymouth, Mordaunt Sleek class 4th Rate Warship
 * HMS Victory, Invincible class 1st Rate Warship
 * HMS Berwick, Centurion class 3rd Rate Warship
 * HMS Canada, Mercy class 5th Rate Naval Frigate
 * HMS Southampton, Capricieux Mastercraft class 5th Rate Mastercraft Frigate
 * HMS Phoebe, Conquistador Mastercraft class 5th Rate Mastercraft Frigate
 * HMS Daphne, Arcadia Mastercraft class Xebec
 * HMS Danae, Defiant Mastercraft class 5th Rate Mastercraft Frigate
 * HMS Pendennis Castle, Raa Mastercraft class 5th Rate Mastercraft Frigate
 * HMS Dido, Dauntless class 5th Rate Frigate
 * HMS Port Royal, Tigre Mastercraft class 5th Rate Mastercraft Frigate

Captain Keen's Ships Under Commission:


 * HMHV Queen Elizabeth, Couronne class Galleon
 * HMHV Queen Anne, Khan class Merchantman Flute
 * HMHV Cornwall, Hercules class Heavy Frigate
 * HMHV Queen Mary, San Mateo Trader class Galleon
 * HMHV Firefly, Bermuda Trader's Sloop
 * HMHV Unrivaled, Dauntless class Large Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Stirling Castle,  San Fernando class Fourth Rate - Undergoing refit in dockyard

Captain Somervell's Ships Under Commission:


 * HMHV Ospry, Hercules class Mastercraft Frigate
 * HMHV Valkyrie, Hercules class Heavy Frigate
 * HMHV Vengeance, Vengeance class Large Frigate
 * HMHV Tigerhawk, Hercules class Sleek Frigate
 * HMHV Volcano, Conquistador Sleek class Frigate
 * HMHV Redhawk, Discovery class Medium Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Sunderland,  Poseidon class Fourth Rate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Canterbury,  San Fernamdo class Fourth Rate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Sparrowhawk, Hermes Sleek Packet Boat - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Black Harrier, Intrepid class Large Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Campbeltown,  Arcadia Mastercraft Xebec - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Blackhawk, Mignome Indiaman Privateer - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Fox, Cerebus Mastercraft class Large Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Goshawk,  Trinidad class Huge Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard

Captain Campbell's Ships Under Commission:


 * HMHV Royal Enterprise II, Couronne Mastercraft class Mastercraft Galleon
 * HMHV Royal Enterprise, Mont Blanc class Huge Merchantman
 * HMHV Exeter, San Fernando class Fourth Rate
 * HMHV Formidable, Hercules class Heavy Frigate
 * HMHV Surprise, Hercules class Sleek Frigate
 * HMHV Adventurer, Trinidad class Huge Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Relentless, Raa class Mastercraft Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Greyhound, Hermes class Mastercraft Packet Boat - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Revenge, Hellbrand class Dromedary Merchantman - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Anemone, Khan class Merchantman Flute - Undergoing refit in dockyard
 * HMHV Nemesis, Archelon class Heavy Frigate - Undergoing refit in dockyard

Economic and Production Facilities
Valentine Keen


 * English Harbor Master Dockyard, St. Johns
 * 3 x Assembly Yards, Basseterre
 * 3 x Assembly Yards, Charlestown

James Campbell


 * Campbeltown Industries - comprising of the following facilities:
 * Provisioner - Spanish Town
 * Assembly Yard - Basseterre
 * Assembly Yard - Basseterre
 * Assembly Yard - Basseterre
 * Advanced General Plantation - Basseterre
 * Advanced General Plantation - Basseterre
 * Advanced Sugar Plantation - Basseterre
 * Sugar Refinery - Basseterre
 * Logging Camp, Fir - Orleans
 * Tar Distillery - Orleans

*Additional Elements of Campbeltown Industries established 1723
 * Vineyard - Tampa
 * Vineyard - Tampa
 * Vineyard - Tampa
 * Winery - Tampa
 * Lumber Mill - Tampa
 * Advanced Iron Mine - Spanish Town
 * Advanced Sugar Plantation - Spanish Town
 * Sugar Refinery - Spanish Town
 * Advanced Limestone Quarry - Roseau
 * Advanced Limestone Quarry - Roseau

Record of Achievement

 * April 20, 1722 - Enlisted in the St. George Squadron of the White
 * May 17, 1722 - Promoted to Master (Pre-1723 Rank)
 * July 1, 1722 - Promoted to Esquire
 * September 4, 1722 - Promoted to Knight, Awarded The Most Honorable Military Order of the Bath(KB)
 * September 4, 1722 - Awarded 'Military Cross' (MC)
 * October 17, 1722 - Appointed Operations Officer for St. George Squadron of the White
 * November 9, 1722 - Promoted to Knight Commander (Pre-1723 Rank)
 * November 9, 1722 - Awarded 'Distinguished Service Cross' (DSC)
 * December 16, 1722 - Appointed Governor in Chief, Caribbean for St. George Squadron of the White
 * February 5, 1723 - Promoted to Viscount, 1st Viscount St. Kitts
 * February 5, 1723 - Awarded The Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG)
 * February 5, 1723 - Senior Officer, St. George Squadron of the White
 * February 5, 1723 - Awarded the 'St. George Citation for Conspicuous Bravery' (CCB)
 * September 7, 1723 - Promoted to Earl, Earl Falmouth

Port Battle Record
Records prior to July 1721 were lost as the result of enemy attack