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Royal Navy (RN) Officers
1939-1945

 

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Note. In naval circles it is custom to refer to the commander of a vessel as Captain. The Navy List bears the phrase "in command". Strictly out of practical considerations CO (Commanding Officer) is used here on this site. Abbreviations and explanations can be found at the help page.
 

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Babb, D.A.
to
B
ankes, E.W.J.
Banks, W.E.
to
B
easley, F.M.
Beattie, S.H.
to
B
lake, R.L.
Blundell, G.C.
to
Bristowe, R.H.
Brock, O. de B.
to
Brownrigg,
T.M.
Bruen, J.M.
to
Byas, C.W.

 
D.A. Babb  to  E.W.J. Bankes
Babb,
Dudley Austin
D.A. Babb

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10.07.1898
Portsea Island, Hampshire
-

died between 07.1962 and 08.1973 ?
Lt.
? (emgcy 01.08.1919)
Lt.Cdr. (emgcy)
23.04.1926
A/Cdr. (emgcy)
< 12.1941
Cdr. (emgcy)
08.05.1946
08.1914
 
 
commissioned
(1918)


HMS Sarpedon
16.12.1939
-
(04.1940)
HMS Victory (RN base, Portsmouth) (for miscellaneous services)
16.09.1940
-
01.1941
HMS Spartiate (RN base, Glasgow)
31.01.1941
-
(12.1941)
ASDG (ASDG Department, Helensburgh) [HMS Orlando (RN base, Greenock]
06.1942
-
12.1944
Commanding Officer, HMS Revlis (degaussing establishment, Helensburgh)
MIEE
Babb,
George
G. Babb
?
-

died between 08.1989 and 12.1991 ?
T/A/Wt.Eng. = T/Cd.Eng.
24.05.1943 (retd < 05.1950)
Mention in Despatches MID
08.06.1944
HM's birthday 44
30.06.1943
-
(04.1946)
HMS Seaham (minesweeper)
...
-
...
...
Babbage,
John Cuthbert Cundy
J.C.C. Babbage
?
-

died between 08.1989 and 12.1991 ?
A/Wt.Eng. = T/Wt.Mech. = T/Act.Sen.Cd.Mech.
18.06.1940 (retd < 05.1950)
03.07.1940
-
(02.1941)
HMS William Hannam (trawler)
...
-
...
...
11.01.1944
-
(07.1945)
HMS Barrage (boom defence vessel)
...
-
...
...
Babey,
Frank
F. Babey

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06.04.1903
Fareham, Hampshire
-

died between 08.1989 and 12.1991 ?
Seaman
? [M 36370]
CPO Cook
?
T/A/Wt.Cookery Offr. = T/Cd. Cookery Offr.
31.05.1944 (retd < 05.1950)
Mention in Despatches MID
01.01.1942
New Year 42
(1942)


HMS Glenroy (landing ship infantry)
05.01.1945
-
(07.1945)
HMS Shrapnel (RN base, Southampton)
(04.1946)


no appointment listed
Babington,
Harold Hubert
H.H. Babington
1883 ?
-
18.11.1971
Sg.
19.11.1907
Sg.Lt.Cdr.
19.11.1915
Sg.Cdr.
19.11.1919 (retd 13.11.1938)
Sg.Capt. (retd)
13.11.1938 (reverted to retd 1946?)

LRCP&S

02.05.1918
-
(01.1919)
Principal Medical Officer, HMS Astraea (light cruiser)
24.04.1923
-
(08.1923)
HMS Caledon (light cruiser)
18.02.1924
-
(01.1925)
HMS Greenwich (destroyer depot ship) (Mediterranean)
01.06.1925
-
(05.1926)
RN Barracks, Devonport [HMS Vivid] (and as specialist in ophthalmology)
16.06.1927
-
(07.)1927
HMS Maidstone (submarine depot ship) (Devonport)
15.09.1927
-
(06.)1928
HMS Repulse (battlecruiser) (Atlantic Fleet)
11.10.1928
-
(04.)1930
Royal Hospital, Chatham [HMS Pembroke] (and as specialist in ophthalmology)
12.08.1930
-
(02.1931)
HMS Emperor of India (battleship)
(01.1932)


no appointment listed
25.07.1932
-
(06.)1933
Royal Hospital, Chatham [HMS Pembroke] (and as specialist in ophthalmology)
06.12.1933
-
(07.1934)
RN Barracks, Chatham [HMS Pembroke]
07.06.1935
-
(07.)1935
RN Barracks, Chatham [HMS Pembroke]
09.11.1935
-
(02.)1936
RN Barracks, Chatham [HMS Pembroke]
06.05.1936
-
(10.1938)
Final Medical Examination Officer, London District, Naval Recruiting Service
12.08.1941
-
(07.1945)
HMS President (for special and miscellaneous services)
(04.1946)


HMS Portland Bill (maintenance and repair ship) *
* indexed, but not listed as such
Bacchus,
Alec Hatfield
A.H. Bacchus
29.07.1910
Guildford, Surrey
-
18.03.1989
Southampton, Hampshire
Cadet (E)
01.09.1927
Midsh. (E)
01.05.1928
A/S.Lt. (E)
01.09.1930
S.Lt. (E)
16.03.1931
Lt. (E)
16.03.1933
Lt.Cdr. (E)
16.03.1941 (retd 29.07.1955)
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
08.09.1942
Malta convoy 22.03.42 [award posted]
Mention in Despatches MID
24.02.1942
Force K actions with enemy convoy
03.05.1928
-
(01.)1932
engineering course, RN Engineering College, Keyham
01.05.1932
-
(06.1933)
HMS Cornwall (cruiser) (China)
(01.1934)


no appointment listed
11.05.1934
-
(07.)1934
HMS Courageous (aircraft carrier) (Home Fleet)
20.10.1934
-
(07.)1935
HMS Cyclops (depot ship) (Mediterranean) (and for duty with submarines)
10.07.1935
-
(02.1936)
HMS Otway (submarine) (Portsmouth)
26.01.1937
-
(02.)1939
HMS Douglas (flotilla leader) (Mediterranean) (and for duty with submarines)
(04.1939)


no appointment listed
01.06.1939
-
(08.)1939
HMS Furious (aircraft carrier) (Home Fleet)
09.11.1939
-
(03.)1942
HMS Lively (destroyer)
(08.1942)


no appointment listed
12.1942
-
(06.)1944
HMS Protector (netlayer)
06.1944
-
(07.1945)
HMS Highflyer (RN base, Trincomalee)
(04.1946)


no appointment listed
28.01.1948
-
(05.1950)
HMS Rame Head
04.1953
-
(05.1953)
HMS Bellerophon
Back,
Eric Ford Schomberg
E.F.S. Back
From Sevenoaks, Kent.
(03?).1912
Devonport district, Devon
-
25.02.2004
Glasgow ?
Cadet
01.05.1929
Midsh.
01.01.1930
A/S.Lt.
01.05.1932
S.Lt.
04.09.1933, seniority 01.11.1932
Lt.
24.03.1934, seniority 01.12.1933
Lt.Cdr.
01.12.1941
Cdr.
30.06.1948 (retd 29.01.1962)
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
16.03.1943
action when covering N Russian convoy [investiture 11.05.43]
Mention in Despatches MID
23.10.1945
Operation Iceberg (air strikes on Sakishima Islands & capture of Okinawa 03-05.45)
Education: West Downs School, Winchester
27.04.1929
-
(04.)1930
HMS Barham (battleship) (Atlantic Fleet)
15.04.1930
-
(01.)1932
HMS Berwick (cruiser) (China)
01.05.1932
-
08.01.1933
promotion course, RN College, Greenwich [HMS President]
09.01.1933
-
(06.)1933
promotion course, Portsmouth
01.09.1933
-
(02.)1936
HMS Exeter (cruiser) (America and West Indies Station)
31.10.1936
-
(07.)1939
Navigating Officer, HMS Protector (netlayer) (Mediterranean)
31.07.1939
-
(04.1940)
Navigating Officer, HMS Dragon (cruiser) *
10.10.1941
-
(06.)1943
Squadron Navigating Officer, HMS Sheffield (cruiser)
01.08.1943
-
(08.)1943
Squadron Navigating Officer, HMS Indomitable (aircraft carrier)
07.09.1943
-
(07.1945)
Navigating Officer, HMS Indefatigable (aircraft carrier)
14.01.1946
-
(07.1948)
HMS Dryad (navigation school, Portsmouth)
(05.1949)
-
(05.1950)
HMS President **
28.01.1953
-
(05.1953)
RN Barracks, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
?
-
(04.1955)
Manning Department, Admiralty [HMS President]
(01.1956)


no appointment listed
19.11.1956
-
(01.1957)
Welfare and Service Conditions Department, Admiralty [HMS President]
06.10.1958
-
(01.)1959
Welfare and Fleet Supply Duties Department, Admiralty [HMS President]
04.05.1959
-
(07.1961)
Service Conditions and Fleet Supply Duties Division, Personal Services and Officer Appointments Department, Admiralty [HMS President]
* (02.1941) still indexed, but no longer listed as such
** indexed, but not listed as such
Staff, West Downs School, Winchester.
Back,
Geoffrey Robert Bensly
G.R.B. Back

Son of the Rev. and Mrs. A.J. Back.
Married Olive Back, of Emsworth, Hampshire.

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22.02.1894
Smallburgh, Norfolk
-
29.05.1941
(KIA) [age 47]
[Plymouth Naval Memorial, panel 44, column 2]
Lt.
30.11.1915
Lt.Cdr.
30.11.1923
Cdr.
30.06.1929
Capt.
31.12.1936
Mention in Despatches MID
01.01.1942
New Year 42
Mention in Despatches MID
03.02.1942
Battle of Cape Matapan
15.01.1907
 
 
commissioned
15.09.1918
-
(01.1919)
HMS Pembroke (RN base, Chatham) (for gunnery duties)
15.03.1923
-
(08.1923)
HMS President (for gunnery duties at Shoeburyness)
23.04.1924
-
(05.)1926
Gunnery Officer, HMS Cardiff (cruiser) (and as Squadron Gunnery Officer, 3rd Cruiser Squadron) (Mediterranean)
15.11.1926
-
(06.1928)
Gunnery Officer, HMS Berwick (cruiser)
(08.1929)
 
 
no appointment listed
07.10.1929
-
(01.)1932
an Assistant to Director of Naval Ordnance, Naval Ordnance Department, Admiralty
22.07.1932
-
(01.)1934
Commanding Officer, HMS Westcott (destroyer) (Home Fleet)
01.08.1934
-
(02.1936)
Staff Officer (Operations) & Squadron Gunnery Officer on staff of Rear-Admiral Commanding Home Fleet Destroyer Flotillas [HMS Cairo (cruiser)] (Home Fleet)
(02.1937)


no appointment listed
01.04.1937
-
(07.)1937
HMS Aurora (cruiser) (while under construction at Portsmouth)
30.07.1937
-
(07.)1939
member, Ordnance Committee [renamed: Ordnance Board] [HMS President]
08.07.1939
-
(08.1939)
Commanding Officer, HMS Duncan (flotilla leader) & Captain (D) 21st Destroyer Flotilla (China)
12.01.1940
-
29.05.1941
Commanding Officer, HMS Orion (cruiser) (and later as Flag Captain & Chief Staff Officer to Vice-Admiral Commanding Light Forces & Second-in-Command Mediterranean Fleet)
Back,
Herbert John Vassia
H.J.V. Back

Son of Herbert T.W. Back and Evelyn M. Back.
Married Winifred Maud Back, of Peverell, Plymouth.

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16.10.1899
Chudleigh, Devon
-
03.07.1947
[age 47]
[Plymouth City Crematorium, panel 1]
Seaman
? [M11322]
Wt.Eng.
01.10.1928
Cd.Eng.
01.10.1938
...
-
...
...
03.11.1937
-
(04.)1940
an Assistant Inspector of Admiralty Fuel, Patent Section, Contract and Purchase Department, Admiralty [HMS Gloucester II]
16.09.1940
-
(02.)1941
HMS Viscount (destroyer)
(12.1941)
 
 
HMS Fort York (tug)
23.04.1942
-
(08.1942)
HMS Wensleydale (destroyer)
(02.1943)


no appointment listed
31.03.1943
-
(07.1945)
HMS Cochrane (RN base, Rosyth)
(04.1946)


no appointment listed
?
-
03.07.1947
HMS Rockrose
* indexed, but not listed as such
Back,
Lawrence George
L.G. Back

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23.08.1905 Fulham, London
-
died between 08.1973 and 08.1977
Seaman
? [J104774]
T/A/Boatsw. = T/Cd.Boatsw.
15.07.1944 (retd 1945/46)
(10.1944)
 
 
no appointment listed
(07.1945)


HMS St Clement (Combined Operations base, Tilbury, Essex) *
* indexed, but not listed as such
Back,
Terence Hugh
T.H. Back

Son of Rev. Hugh Cairns Alexander Back and Maud Ellen Fletcher.
Married; one daughter.

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30.04.1895
Aylsham, Norfolk
-
died between 07.1962 and 08.1973
Lt.
30.10.1916
?, seniority 30.07.1916
Lt.Cdr.
30.07.1924
Cdr.
31.12.1930
Capt.
30.06.1938 (retd 04.08.1946)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
08.06.1944
HM's birthday 44
15.01.1908
 
 
commissioned
04.11.1918
-
(01.1919)
qualifying for Torpedo duties [HMS Vernon (torpedo school, Portsmouth)]
09.04.1923
-
(08.1923)
HMS Columbine (RN base, Port Edgar)
01.10.1924
-
(05.)1926
Torpedo Officer, HMS Marlborough (battleship) (Mediterranean)
09.07.1926
-
(06.)1928
Torpedo School, Portsmouth [HMS Vernon]
25.07.1928
-
(04.1930)
Torpedo Officer, HMS Nelson (battleship) (Atlantic Fleet)
(10.1930)
 
 
no appointment listed
13.01.1931
-
(01.)1932
staff course, RN Staff College, Greenwich
25.02.1932
-
(01.)1934
Tactical Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
16.04.1934
-
(02.)1936
Commanding Officer, HMS Lupin (patrol sloop) (Reserve Fleet)
16.03.1936
-
(06.)1938
HMS Victory (for Tactical School, Portsmouth)
07.06.1938
-
(10.1938)
staff, Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean [HMS Warspite (battleship)] (Mediterranean)
(02.1939)


no appointment listed
27.02.1939
-
(04.)1939
HMS President (for Tactical Division, Admiralty)
(07.1939)


no appointment listed
31.07.1939
-
04.11.1940
Commanding Officer, HMS Capetown (cruiser) (later Flag Captain)
04.11.1940
-
(02.)1941
HMS Sultan (RN base, Singapore) (for various services)
(12.1941)
 
 
no appointment listed
14.07.1942
-
11.02.1944
Commanding Officer, HMS Bermuda (cruiser)
(04.1944)
-
(10.1944)
no appointment listed
(07.1945)
-
(04.1946)
HMS President *
* indexed, but not listed as such
Backham,
Horace
H. Backham

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20.01.1905
Battersea, London
-
07.02.1959
Seaman
? [J100602]
T/Gnr. = T/Cd.Gnr.
27.07.1943 (retd < 05.1950)
21.09.1943
-
(06.1944)
HMS Bazely (frigate) *
09.01.1945
-
(07.1945)
HMS Balfour (frigate)
* (10.1944) still indexed, but no longer listed as such
Backhouse,
Charles Llewellyn
C.L. Backhouse
Son of Charles Hubert Backhouse, and Maude Constance Ritchie.

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02.04.1884
Richmond, Yorks.
-

died between 07.1952 and 07.1959
Lt.
(1911)
Cdr.
30.06.1915 (retd 01.11.1922; own request)
Capt. (retd)
02.04.1929 (reverted to retd 1945/46)
Croix de Guerre avec Palmes (France) CdeG
24.03.1919
?
- OCrw
08.04.1921
Officer, Order of the Crown (Belgium)
15.01.1899
 
 
commissioned
03.05.1918
-
(01.1919)
HMS Attentive 2 (for duty at Dunkirk as Gunnery Officer)
04.11.1939
-
(08.1943)
HMS Afrikander (RN base, Simonstown, South Africa)
(08.1942)
-
(08.1943)
F.O.G.O., South Africa
(10.1943)
-
(12.1943)
no appointment listed
23.03.1944
-
(07.1945)
HMS Calliope (RN base, Tyne)
Backhouse,
Ivan Oldham
I.O. Backhouse
24.02.1904
Penzance, Cornwall
-
19.03.1986

Uckfield, Sussex
[Southern Cemetery, Lelant, grave 227]
A/S.Lt.
15.09.1924
S.Lt. (E)
30.05.1925
Lt. (E)
30.09.1927
Lt.Cdr. (E)
30.09.1935
Cdr. (E)
31.12.1939
Capt. (E)
30.06.1950 (retd 15.08.1956)
Mention in Despatches MID
11.06.1942
HM's birthday 42
Mention in Despatches MID
04.05.1943
Operation Torch
Mention in Despatches MID
04.04.1944
Aegean operations hit by aircraft 3000 c. 43
15.05.1922
-
(01.1925)
engineering course, RN Engineering College, Keyham
30.04.1926
-
(07.1927)
HMS Vindictive (cruiser) (China)
28.08.1928
-
(08.)1929
HMS Emperor of India (battleship) (Atlantic)
03.12.1929
-
(01.)1932
HMS Erebus (monitor; cadet training ship and turret drill ship) (for duty with Special Entry cadets)
08.1932
-
(01.)1934
HMS Cairo (cruiser) (Home Fleet)
21.09.1934
-
(07.1935)
HMS Beagle (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
01.01.1936
-
(07.1937)
HMS Pembroke (RN base, Chatham) (for Mechanical Training Establishment)
10.01.1938
-
(08.)1939
HMS Repulse (battlecruiser) (Mediterranean & Home Fleet)
13.11.1939
-
(04.)1940
HMS Daedalus (RN Air Station, Lee-on-Solent)
29.08.1940
-
(1942)
HMS Welshman (minelayer)
20.04.1942
-
(04.)1944
HMS Aurora (cruiser)
(06.1944)


no appointment listed
27.06.1944
-
(04.1946)
Mechanical Training Establishment, Rosyth [HMS Cochrane]
15.04.1947
-
(05.1950)
RN College, Dartmouth
15.02.1951
-
(05.1953)
HMS President (for miscellaneous services)
27.06.1955
-
(01.1956)
staff, Flag Officer, Scotland [HMS Cochrane]
Backhouse,
Kendal Stuart
K.S. Backhouse
(03?).1903
Grimsby
-
died between 08.1977 and 08.1983
Midsh.
15.09.1922
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
03.08.1926, seniority 15.11.1924
Lt.
10.03.1927, seniority 15.04.1926
Lt.Cdr.
15.04.1934 (retd < 05.1950)
A/Cdr.
< 07.1945
Cdr. (retd)
?
09.1924
-
(01.1925)
HMS Malaya (battleship) (Mediterranean)
10.08.1926
-
(07.1927)
HMS Warwick (destroyer) (Atlantic Fleet)
27.08.1928
-
(08.1929)
First Lieutenant & Navigating Officer, HMS Forres (minesweeper)
01.08.1929
-
(02.1931)
Navigating Officer, HMS Verbena (sloop) (Africa)
(01.1932)


no appointment listed
18.04.1932
-
(09.1932)
Navigating Officer, HMNZS Dunedin (cruiser)
11.05.1933
-
(01.1934)
Navigating Officer, HMNZS Diomede (cruiser)
01.07.1935
-
(07.1935)
Navigating Officer, HMS Caledon (cruiser) (Reserve Fleet, Devonport)
22.08.1935
-
(02.1936)
HMS Dryad (navigation school, Portsmouth)
18.08.1936
-
(02.1938)
Navigating Officer, HMS Resolution (battleship) (Home Fleet)
21.02.1938