Commodore (Royal Navy) Commodore (Royal Navy) Commodore (Cdre) is a rank of the Royal Navy above captain and below rear admiral. It has a NATO ranking code of OF-6. The rank is equivalent to brigadier in the British Army and Royal Marines and to air commodore in the Royal Air Force. The rank of commodore was introduced during the 17th century in November 1674 (though not legally established until 1806). In 1684 the navy introduced two classes of commodore, the first known as a "Commodore Distinction" and the other a "Commodore Ordinary"; these would later evolve into commodores first and second class. In
Robert Cunliffe (Royal Navy officer) to be Commodore, Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport in August 1944 before retiring in January 1946. Robert Cunliffe (Royal Navy officer) Commodore Robert Lionel Brooke Cunliffe CBE (15 March 1895 – 29 November 1990) was a Royal Navy who became Commander-in-Chief, Dover. Cunliffe joined the Royal Navy in September 1912. He was present at the Battle of Jutland in June 1916 during the First World War. He became commanding officer of the sloop HMS "Milford" in December 1937. He also served during the Second World War as Captain of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth from December 1939, Commander-in-Chief, Dover from April