"Minister of the Navy" is here because of a promise he made earlier: "If the Dardanelles campaign fails, I will carry a rifle as a soldier and go to the battlefield."
He indeed carried a rifle as a soldier, but did not go to the battlefield: He became the commander of the Scotland Royal Regiment, a unit mainly responsible for security duty at the port.
(The photo above shows "Minister of the Navy" as commander in the Scotland Regiment)
As a seasoned politician, the "Minister of the Navy" was courteous in front of Shire.
The "Minister of the Navy" first saluted Shire as a subordinate, then looked at Shire with an admiring gaze and said in English, "I've heard of your name for a long time, General. It's an honor to meet you."
General Winter repeated the "Minister of the Navy's" words in French.
Shire did not conceal his disdain for the "Minister of the Navy": "If your purpose here is for the Camel fighter plane, you can rest assured, it will be delivered soon."
