Claim: Gerald Walter Russell was a Royal Navy officer appointed in command of the pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Hannibal in 1900 and was promoted to admiral on 30 July 1912.
Evidence: He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 1 March 1908, and was promoted to the rank of vice-admiral (on the Retired List) on 2 July 1908, and to admiral on 30 July 1912. Vice-admiral is a flag officer rank of the Royal Navy and equates to the NATO rank code OF-8. It is immediately superior to the rear admiral rank and is subordinate to the full admiral rank.