Percy W. Nelles
| Percy Walker Nelles | |
|---|---|
Rear-Admiral Percy Walker Nelles, RCN, Chief of the Naval Staff, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 1940.
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| Born |
7 January 1892 Brantford, Ontario |
| Died | 13 June 1951 (aged 59) Victoria, British Columbia |
| Allegiance |
 Canada
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| Service/branch |
 Royal Canadian Navy
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| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Chief of the Naval Staff |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of BathLegion of Merit |
| Relations | Son of BGen Charles M. Nelles, CMG |
Percy Walker Nelles, CB (7 January 1892–13 July 1951) was a flag officer in the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Chief of the Naval Staff from 1934 to 1944. He oversaw the massive wartime expansion of the RCN and the transformation of Canada into a major player in the Battle of the Atlantic. During his tenure U-boats raided the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canadian Northwest Atlantic command was created, and the RCN was providing up to 40% of all escort forces in the North Atlantic. His handling of the RCN's war effort had its opponents however, and he was removed from his post as Chief of the Naval Staff in January 1944. He was sent to London as Overseas Naval Attaché, coordinating the RCN operations for Operation Overlord. He retired in January 1945 as a full Admiral.
Nelles was born in Brantford, Ontario on 7 January 1892, the son of Brigadier General Charles M. Nelles. He enlisted as a cadet in the Fisheries Protection Service in 1909. He joined the Fisheries Protection Service as the second of the first seven cadets in anticipation of the formation of the Canadian navy.
Percy Nelles served with both the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy. In 1910, Nelles became a Midshipman aboard HMCS Niobe. Over the next 10 years he would rise from the rank of Sub-Lieutenant to the rank of Captain as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff. He served as Flag Lieutenant to the first head of the RCN, Admiral Sir Charles Kingsmill. In 1920, Nelles entered the Royal Naval College, was promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1922 and served in several Royal Navy establishments over the next two years before returning to Canada in 1925.
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