Admiral Sir Charles Madden was a prominent figure in British naval history, not only serving as First Sea Lord but also becoming Admiral of the Fleet after the First World War. As he was so highly regarded in naval circles by the outbreak of war this led to his appointment by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe (another son-in-law of Sir Charles Cayzer) as his Chief of Staff aboard HMS Iron Duke.
In 1905 Sir Charles Madden married Sir Charles Cayzer’s third daughter Constane Winifred and was welcomed into the Cayzer family, later being made a director of Cayzer, Irvine & Co. by his father-in-law.
He began his naval career as a cadet on HMS Britannia in 1877 going on to develop a specialism in torpedoes, and building a sturdy reputation for himself. He was the first holder of the post of Commander of the Atlantic Fleet from 1919-1922, and crowned his career as First Sea Lord from 1927-1930. Madden was made a baronet in 1919. In 1922 he received a letter of appreciation from the Board of Admiralty and became the principal naval aide-de-camp to King George V. His contribution to the Royal Navy was so highly valued that he was not released from service until he was nearly 70 years old.
Madden and his family spent time at the Cayzer’s family estate, Gartmore in Perthshire. He was very fond of his Cayzer relatives and supported Herbert Cayzer when he campaigned to become MP for Portsmouth in 1922. Sir Charles Madden’s son, and namesake, the 2nd baronet followed in his father’s footsteps carving out a successful and influential naval career for himself.