 Promoted to rear admiral on 12 April 1911, he was given command of the first division of the Home Fleet during 1912, the 3rd cruiser squadron during 1913, and then the 2nd cruiser squadron during 1914.When Admiral Sir John Jellicoe was appointed to take over the command of the Grand Fleet at the start of the First World War, he asked for his wife's brother-in-law, Madden, who had been designated to rejoin the Board of Admiralty as Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy, to accompany him as chief of staff.Madden was accordingly sent to join Jellicoe in the dreadnought , Jellicoe's flagship, in August 1914 and, having been promoted to acting vice admiral in June 1915 and appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1916 New Year Honours, he took part in the Battle of Jutland in May 1916.