The Protector's Own Squadron, commonly called simply the Protector's Own, was a special status force within the Grayson Space Navy.
Its motto was "Let's Be About It", a phrase regularly uttered by Admiral Honor Harrington, its first commanding officer.
History[]
The Protector's Own was created in the beginning of 1914 PD as Benjamin IX's answer to the inadvertent constitutional crisis created by Steadholder Honor Harrington organization of the Elysian Space Navy using her Grayson Admiral's rank. According to the Grayson Constitution, only the Protector was allowed to raise military forces and such an act committed by a Steadholder was subject to the death penalty.
In 1918 PD, Benjamin IX authorized a long range "training" exercise to join the Protector's Own squadron with Admiral Harrington's forces at Sidemore Station. This deployment helped the RMN force at Sidemore Station drive off the Havenite incursion under Admiral Lester Tourville. (HH10)
In 1922 PD, the Protector's Own was present as a component of High Admiral Judah Yanakov's task force in the Second Battle of Manticore. (HH13)
Order of Battle[]
1914-1915 PD[]
Former Elysian Space Navy vessels were supplemented by newly built units over time. The Protector's Own in the initial stage of development consisted of:
- a battle squadron (SD(P))
- a CLAC element
- a battlecruiser element
- a cruiser element
1919 PD[]
Expedition force:
- Battle Squadron 1, CO Rear Admiral Warner Caslet
- Battle Squadron 2, CO Vice Admiral Mark Brentworth
- Carrier Squadron 1, CO Rear Admiral Harriet Benson-Dessouix
- Battlecruiser Squadron 1, CO Rear Admiral Cynthia Gonsalves
- service squadron
Equipment[]
The Protector's Own was initially equipped with the captured prizes of the Elysian Space Navy, but Benjamin IX planned to expand it with ships of the wall, CLACs, and appropriate screening elements. (HH9)
In 1919 PD, the Protector's Own had been expanded to include twelve Medusa class SD(P)s, six Covington class CLACs, and six battlecruisers. (HH10)
Personnel[]
When created the Protector's Own Squadron was staffed by volunteers from the prisoners that escaped from the Havenite Hades Planetary Prison with Steadholder Harrington. Foreign personnel of the Protector's Own became Protector's personal vassals. After six years of service, they were entitled to obtain Grayson citizenship. (HH9)
Commanding Officer[]
Protector Benjamin IX regulated that the Protector's Champion became permanent commanding officer of the Protector's Own ex officio. In her role as Benjamin's Champion, the post was held initially by Admiral Honor Harrington. During Harrington's absence in the Grayson Space Navy, Admiral Alfredo Yu was named acting commanding officer. (HH9)
In 1923 PD, Mercedes Brigham accepted a promotion to Vice Admiral in the GSN and replaced Admiral Yu as the commanding officer of the Protector's Own[1]. (CS4)
Staff[]
- Captain Sampson Grant – Chief of Staff, chosen by Admiral Yu (HH10)
Uniform and insignia[]
The service uniform of the Protector's Own was colored maroon and gold, the colors of the Mayhew Clan. (HHA6.5: OS)
It's insignia was a flame-enshrouded salamander.[2] (HH10)