British battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth arrived at Malta in November 1927

British Queen Elizabeth-class battleships. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

British battleship HMS Warspite. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Sketch of Vice Admiral Sir Roger Keyes (1872–1945), KCB, CMG, CVO, DSO, by the British painter Glyn Warren Philpot, 1918. 

Courtesy of the collection of the Imperial War Museums.

The American Consulate at Valetta, Malta wrote the US State of Secretary on 7 November 1927 that the British battleship HMS Queen Elizabeth (1) arrived at Malta on 6 November. She was for more as a year absent on this station undergoing a refit in England. She was converted into a first class battleship. Fitted out with bulges and her two smoke stacks converted into one. Costs of refit approximately 3,061,800 US dollars. Within a few days would the Queen Elizabeth replace the HMS Warspite (2) as fleet flagship of admiral Sir Roger Keyes (3), commander-in-chief of the British Mediterranean Fleet. The flag of second-in-command vice admiral John D. Kelly (4) would flew on the Warspite.

Notes

1. Queen Elizabeth-class, consisted of the Queen Elizabeth, Malaya, Warspite, Valiant, Barham, Malaya and the in 1914 cancelled Agincourt. Preceded by the Iron Duke-class and succeeded by the Revenge-class. Pennant 00. Laid down at the HM Dockyard Portsmouth, England on 21 October 1912, launched on 16 October 1913, completed in January 1914, commissioned on 22 December 1914, rebuilt in 1926-1927 and 1937-1941, reserve since August 1945, stricken on 7 July 1948, sold to Arnott Young and broken up at Dalmuir in July 1948. Building costs 3.014.103 pond sterling.

2. Pennant 03. Part of Queen Elizabeth-class, preceded by Iron Duke-class succeeded by Revenge-class. Ordered in 1912, laid down by HM Dockyard, Devonport, England on 31 October 1912, launched on 26 November 1913, commissioned on 8 March 1915, modernised mid-1930s, decommisssioned on 1 February 1945, stricken on 19 April 1947 and sold to be broken up in 1947.

3. Roger John Brownlow Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes (4 October 1872 Punjab, British India-26 December 1945 Tingewick, United Kingdom). served in the Royal Navy between 1885-1935 and 1940-1941 ending his career in the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

4. Sir John Donald Kelly (13 July 1871 Southsea, Hampshire, England-4 November 1936 Marylebone, London, England, served between 1884-1936 in the Royal Navy ending his career in the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

Source

National Archives. Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records AdministrationSeries: Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Great Britain. Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: 841.315 THRU 841.31553 THRU Naval Affairs, Navy, Navy Vessels: Movement of Naval Vessels: 841.33 - 841.3311/64. Microcopy 580 roll 92.