Claim: Gerald Walter Russell was a Royal Navy officer(promoted admiral on 30 July 1912) who was appointed in command of the pre-dreadnought battleship HMS Hannibal in 1900.
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.