British officers  |  RNR  |  RNVR  |  RM  |  WRNS  |  home
Royal Navy (RN) Officers
1939-1945

 

Looking for details on a RN officer not listed here yet?
Just e-mail me, and I might be able to help out.
Of course, any additions, corrections etc. can also be e-mailed.

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.
 

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Dalrymple-Hamilton, F.H.G.
to
Dight, S.R.

Don, R.W.D.
to
Dyer, J.E.

 

R.W.D. Don   to   J.E. Dyer
Don,
Robert William Douglas
R.W.D. Don

Son of William Gilbert Don and Jeannette Elizabeth Edith Grizel Don, of Brechin, Angus.
c. 1918/19 ?
-
20.01.1942
(KIA)
[Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 62, column 1]
Cadet
01.05.1937
Midsh.
01.05.1938
A/S.Lt.
01.01.1940
S.Lt.
07.1940, seniority 01.08.1939
Lt.
10.1941, seniority 16.06.1941
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
23.02.1940
Battle of the River Plate
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
20.01.1942
5 war patrols Mediterranean 02-07.41
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
05.05.1942
3 war patrols Mediterranean autumn 41
01.05.1938
-
(08.1939)
HMS Exeter (cruiser) (America and West Indies Station)
(04.1940)


no appointment listed
22.08.1940
-
20.01.1942
HMS Triumph (submarine) (sunk in the Aegean)
Donner,
Charles Montague
C.M. Donner
01.11.1907
Macclesfield district, Cheshire
-
11.1984
Oxford district, Oxfordshire
Midsh.
15.09.1925
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
25.09.1929, seniority 16.07.1928
Lt.
16.10.1929
Lt.Cdr.
16.10.1937
Cdr.
30.06.1940 (retd 01.11.1957)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
01.01.1957
New Year
15.04.1927
-
(07.1927)
HMS Repulse (battlecruiser) (Atlantic Fleet)
05.06.1929
-
(08.1929)
HMS Woolston (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
08.1929
-
(02.1931)
HMS Amazon (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
(01.1932)


no appointment listed
28.04.1932
-
(09.1932)
torpedo course, HMS Vernon
17.06.1933
-
(01.1934)
HMS Vernon (torpedo school, Portsmouth) (miscellaneous duties)
04.07.1934
-
(02.1936)
Torpedo Officer, HMS Revenge (battleship) (Mediterranean)
14.03.1936
-
(02.1938)
Instructional Department, HMS Vernon (torpedo school and experimental establishment, Portsmouth)
27.06.1938
-
(04.1940)
Commanding Officer, MTB No. 1 & SO 1st MTB Flotilla [HMS Vulcan (Coastal Forces depot ship)] (Mediterranean & Felixstowe)
10.09.1940
-
(02.1941)
Torpedoes and Mining Department, Admiralty [HMS President]
15.07.1942
-
(12.1943)
HMS Vernon (RN establishment, Brighton)
27.03.1944
-
(07.1945)
Commander, HMS Berwick (cruiser)
28.02.1946

(04.1946)
HMS Defiance III (torpedo school ship, Devonport)
01.03.1948
-
(05.1950)
HMS President (for miscellaneous serives)
28.05.1951
- (01.1956)
Staff Officer (Operations) to Admiral Commanding Reserves [HMS President]
Donovan,
Rickard Charlie
R.C. Donovan
Son of Richard Donovan, JP, DL, of Ballymore, Camolin, co. Wexford.
Married (1926) Edith Margaret, daughter of Alexander MacKay, of Glencruitton, Oban, Argyll
1898
-
died between 07.1952 and 07.1959
Lt.
15.04.1919
Lt.Cdr.
15.04.1927 (retd 03.05.1927)
Cdr. (retd)
28.04.1938
A/Capt. (retd)
12.08.1943?
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
14.06.1945
HM's birthday 45
Letter of Praise LoP
1944?
Operation Neptune (Normandy invasion 06.44)
Officer of the Legion of Merit (US) LM
28.05.1946
?



served European War in Persian Gulf, Suez Canal, and Dardanelles
18.04.1922
-
(08.1923)
HMS Maidstone (submarine depot ship) (additional)
01.11.1924
-
(05.1926)
HMS Hood (battlecruiser) (Atlantic Fleet)
(01.1941)


HMS Heron (RN Air Station, Yeovilton) *
27.01.1941
-
(12.1941)
Training and Staff Duties Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
15.06.1942
-
11.08.1943
Plans Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
12.08.1943
-
16.12.1943
Assistant Director of Plans (Combined Operations), Plans Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
17.12.1943
-
(07.)1945
Deputy Director of Combined Operations Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
* indexed, but not listed as such
Dorling,
Henry Taprell
"Taffrail"
H.T. Dorling
Second son of late Col. Francis Dorling, late Royal Sussex Regiment, of Farnborough, Hants.
Brother of V.Adm. James Wilfred Sussex Dorling, CB, RN.
Married (1909) Evelyne (died 1968), daughter of late Roderick MacDonald, Kew, Surrey; one son.

08.09.1883
Duns, Berwickshire
-
01.07.1968
Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
15.07.1902
Lt.
31.12.1904
Cdr.
31.12.1916 (retd 08.09.1929)
Capt. (retd)
08.09.1929 (reactivated 1939)
Distinguished Service Order DSO
?
?
Officer of the Legion of Merit (US) LM
24.10.1944
North Africa
Mention in Despatches MID
22.06.1917
?
Gold medal from Swedish Government for saving life at sea (1917)
Education: HMS Britannia (1897)



served HMS Terrible (South Africa and China, including Relief of Pekin, 1900)



European War, 1914-1918, commanding destroyers (despatches, DSO)
30.07.1923
-
(08.1923)
HMS President (for miscellaneous services at Admiralty)
(01.1925)


no appointment listed
(05.1926)
-
(07.1927)
instructor, RNVR (Tyne Division) [HMS President]
(04.1928)
-
(06.1928)
no appointment listed
(08.1929)


no appointment listed
1939
-
(08.)1942
Ministry of Information and afloat in all types of warships [HMS President *]
12.1942
-
1945
Staff of Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean [HMS Hannibal, later: HMS Byrsa]
01.01.1943
-
(06.)1944
Press Officer
01.08.1944
-
(07.1945)
SONI [= Staff Officer Naval Information?]
A Younger Brother of Trinity House; Member of the Navy Records Society, and of the Society for Nautical Research. RN Minewatching Service and Minewatching Service Officer, Port of London, 1954-1962.
Published
: Under pseudonym Taffrail, Pincher Martin, OD; Michael Bray; Sea Ventures of Britain; Sea Escapes and Adventures; Pirates, 1929; Men o' War, 1929; Kerrell; Endless Story; The Scarlet Stripe, 1932; Dover­Ostend, 1933; The Man from Scapa Flow, 1933; Seventy North, 1934; Second Officer; Swept Channels, 1935; Mid­Atlantic, 1936; Mystery at Milford Haven; Mystery Cruise; Operation MO; The Shetland Plan, 1939; The Navy in Action, 1940; Chenies, 1943; Battle of the Atlantic, 1946; Western Mediterranean, 1942-1945, 1948; Blue Star Line, 1948; Toby Shad, 1949; The Jade Lizard, 1951; The New Moon, 1952; Eurydice, 1953; Arctic Convoy, 1956; enlarged edns Ribbons and Medals (first published, 1916), 1956, 1957; other books on naval and nautical subjects; late Naval Correspondent of The Observer; has done considerable broadcasting; written many naval feature programmes for the BBC
* indexed, but not listed as such
Dorling,
James Wilfred Sussex
J.W.S. Dorling
Son of late Col. Francis Dorling, Farnborough, Hants.
Brother of Capt. Henry Taprell "Taffrail" Dorling, DSO, RN.
Married (1914) Dorothy Burnett, daughter of Colonel J.G. Panton, CMG; no children.
(06?).1889
Preston, Lancs.
-
12.05.1966
[Fareham, Hants. ?]
A/S.Lt.
30.07.1908?
S.Lt.
03.04.1909, seniority 30.07.1908
Lt.
10.06.1910, seniority 30.07.1909
Lt.Cdr.
30.07.1917
Cdr.
30.06.1921
Capt.
30.06.1928
R.Adm.
01.08.1939 (retd 30.10.1942)
V.Adm. (retd)
30.10.1942
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
01.07.1941
HM's birthday 41
Commander of the Legion of Merit (US) LM
15.10.1946
BAD Washington 02.42-04.44
Education: HMS Britannia
1904


joined RN
1914
-
1918
served European War
15.11.1922
-
(01.1925)
Operations Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
05.05.1927
-
(07.1927)
Experimental Commander, Signal School (Experimental), Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
14.01.1929
-
(08.1929)
Imperial Defence Course, Imperial Defence College [HMS President]
10.03.1930
-
(01.1932)
Director of Signal Department, Admiralty
08.08.1932
-
(09.1932)
Senior Officers' Technical Course, Portsmouth
18.10.1932
-
(07.1935)
Commanding Officer, HMS Codrington (flotilla leader) & Captain (D) 3rd Destroyer Flotilla (Mediterranean)
24.08.1935
-
(07.1937)
Commanding Officer, Signal School, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
10.01.1938
-
(02.1938)
Commanding Officer, HMS Resolution (battleship) (Home Fleet)
18.02.1938
-
(04.1939)
Flag Captain, HMS Royal Sovereign (battleship) (Home Fleet)
10.01.1939
-
01.08.1939
also: Naval ADC to the King
(08.1939)
-
(09.1939)
no appointment listed
28.08.1939
-
(02.)1941
Deputy Controller, Admiralty [HMS President]
01.04.1942
-
04.1944
Supply Representative, British Admiralty Delegation, Washington, DC [HMS Saker]
15.08.1944
-
(<04.)1946
Flag Officer, Liverpool [HMS Eaglet]
MIEE; MBrit.IRE; FRSA. Director of Radio Industry Council, 1946-1958. A Younger Brother of Trinity House, 1946, Honorary Vice-President British Wireless Dinner Club, 1961. 
Douglas-Pennant,
[the Hon. Sir] Cyril Eustace
C.E. Douglas-Pennant
Son and heir of 5th Baron Penrhyn, Frank Douglas- Pennant (1865-1967) and Maud Eleonora Hardy. Married 1st (06.01.1917) Phyllis Constance (who obtained a divorce, 1936), daughter of late Colonel Oswald Mosley Leigh; one daughter. Married 2nd (05.04.1937) Sheila, daughter of late Stanley Brotherhood, Thornhaugh Hall, Peterborough.
07.04.1894
Westminster, London
-
03.04.1961
Westminster, London
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
09.12.1914, seniority 15.07.1914
Lt.
15.10.1915
Lt.Cdr.
15.10.1923
Cdr.
30.06.1928
Capt.
30.06.1935
?, seniority 31.12.1934
Cdre. 2nd cl.
25.06.1940?
Cdre. 1st cl.
1944?
R.Adm.
07.07.1944
?, seniority  08.01.1944
V.Adm.
13.07.1948
A/Adm.
?
Adm.
26.01.1952 (retd 15.09.1953)
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath KCB
02.01.1950
New Year 50
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
18.12.1945
wind up, Europe 45
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
21.12.1943
Operation Husky, Sicily 07.43

Distinguished Service Order

DSO
14.11.1944
Operation Neptune, Normandy 06.44
Distinguished Service Cross DSC

08.03.1918

services in destroyer and torpedo boat flotillas 17
Mention in Despatches MID
20.04.1943
Operation Torch, North Africa 11.42
Commander of the Legion of Merit (US) LM
17.07.1945
Operation Neptune, Normandy 06.44
Officier de la Légion d'Honneur (France) LegH
1948
Operation Neptune, Normandy 06.44
Croix de Guerre avec Palmes (France) CdeG
1948
Operation Neptune, Normandy 06.44
Education: RN Colleges Osborne & Dartmouth
1907


entered Royal Navy



served European War, 1914-1918
16.09.1924
-
(01.1925)
staff course, RN Staff College, Greenwich [HMS President]
15.03.1927
-
(07.1927)
Executive Officer, HMS Capetown (cruiser) (North America and West Indies)
05.02.1929
-
(02.1931)
Training and Staff Duties Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
18.12.1931
-
(09.1932)
staff, RN Staff College, Greenwich [HMS President]
25.07.1933
-
(01.1934)
Executive Officer, HMS Dorsetshire (cruiser) (Africa)
20.06.1935
-
(07.1935)
Commanding Officer, HMS Deptford (sloop) [under construction, Chatham]
07.10.1935
-
17.09.1936
Commanding Officer, HMS Exeter (cruiser) (America and West Indies Station)
09.10.1936
-
(07.1937)
Commanding Officer, HMS Iron Duke (training ship) (Portsmouth)
07.10.1937
-
(04.)1939
staff, RN War College, Greenwich [HMS President]
24.07.1939
-
(08.1939)
Captain of the Fleet, Reserve Fleet (Portsmouth) [HMS Effingham]
18.09.1939
-
(04.1940)
Chief Staff Officer to Vice-Admiral Commanding Northern Patrol [HMS Pyramus (RN base, Kirkwall)]
1940
-
1942
serving West Indies:
25.06.1940
-
(02.1941)
Commodore, West Indies & Commanding Officer, HMS Despatch (cruiser)
21.04.1942
-
(06.1944)
HMS President, for special & miscellaneous services:
(08.1942)


Naval Staff Officer to Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces
1942
-
1943
Chief of Staff, Adm. B.H. Ramsay (N Afr [NCXF], Sicily [SNOL(G)], Salerno)
01.1944
-

Naval Commander, Force G (Normandy invasion)
06.11.1944
-
(04.1946)
Chief Naval Staff Officer to SACSEAC [HMS Hathi]
1947
-
1949
Commandant Joint Services Staff College, Chesham
1948
-
08.04.1950
Flag Officer (Air) Mediterranean, and Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Station
(05.1950)


no appointment listed
1950
-
1952
Admiral, British Joint Services Mission in Washington, DC [HMS Saker]
11.1952
-
(05.)1953
Commander-in-Chief, Nore [HMS Pembroke]
Played First-Class Cricket (batting and fielding), 1924-1925.
Douglas-Watson,
Francis
F. Douglas-Watson
Son of Francis Douglas-Watson, a telephone company superintendent,
and his wife, Elizabeth Cunningham.
Married (13.09.1922, Glasgow) Mary Fedora St Ledger (1899-1977); one son (S.Lt. Francis Douglas-Watson, RNVR).
03.06.1896
Glasgow, Scotland
-
07.04.1941
[age 44]
[Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece, 4.E.4]
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
15.09.1916
Lt.
15.03.1918
Lt.Cdr.
15.03.1926
A/Cdr.
> 04.1939, < 08.1939

Distinguished Service Order

DSO
25.10.1940
Operation Dynamo (Dunkirk)
11.11.1919
-
14.08.1922
lent to RAN (2 years):
11.11.1919
-
20.01.1920
London Depot RAN (HMAS Anzac)
21.01.1920
-
22.03.1922
HMAS Anzac
23.03.1922
-
09.04.1922
HMAS Penguin
10.04.1922
-
14.08.1922
London Depot RAN
07.12.1922
-
(01.)1925
First Lieutenant, HMS Venomous (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
25.05.1925
-
04.07.1927
lent to RAN (2 years):
25.05.1925
-
25.05.1925
London Depot RAN
25.05.1925
-
08.07.1925
HMAS Cerberus
09.07.1925
-
09.01.1927
HMAS Penguin [11-13.01.1926 temporarily in command]
10.01.1927
-
08.05.1927
Commanding Officer, HMAS Yarra (destroyer) [based at HMAS Cerberus (Flinders Naval Depot, Westernport)]
09.05.1927
-
28.06.1927
Commanding Officer, HMAS Parramatta (destroyer) [based at HMAS Cerberus (Flinders Naval Depot, Westernport)]
29.06.1927
-
04.07.1927
HMAS Cerberus (Flinders Naval Depot, Westernport) (additional; for passage to UK per RMS Mongolia)
07.11.1927
-
(06.)1928
HMS Hood (battlecruiser) (Atlantic Fleet)
12.09.1928
-
(02.)1931
Commanding Officer, HMS Witherington (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
11.08.1931
-
(01.1932)
Commanding Officer, HMS Vortigern (destroyer) (Atlantic Fleet)
(09.1932)


no appointment listed
03.1933
-
(06.)1933
Commanding Officer, HMS Vivacious (destroyer)
23.10.1933
-
(07.)1935
HMS Cardiff (cruiser) (Reserve Fleet, the Nore)
30.11.1935
-
(07.)1937
HMS Cardiff (cruiser) (Reserve Fleet, the Nore) (for minesweepers in reserve)
19.07.1937
-
31.10.1938
Commanding Officer, HMS Pangbourne (twin-screw minesweeper) (Mediterranean)
01.11.1938
-
(04.1939)
HMS St Angelo (RN base, Malta) (for command of minesweepers in reserve [probably HMS Pangbourne as command vessel])
(08.1939)
-
(06.1940)
Commanding Officer, HMS Pangbourne (twin-screw minesweeper)
16.10.1940
-
(02.)1941
Executive Officer, HMS Miranda (minesweeping base, Great Yarmouth)
?
-
07.04.1941
HMS Nile (RN base, Alexandria, Egypt)
[British steamer CLAN FRASER (7529grt) of convoy ANF .24 was damaged by German bombing and set afire in the Greek harbour of Piraeus . At 0330/7th, the explosion of her TNT cargo sank the steamer and wrecked the harbour, killing Cdr. Douglas-Watson ashore.]
Dowding,
Sir Arthur Ninian
A.N. Dowding
Son of Arthur John Caswell Dowding and Maude Caroline Tremenheere. Brother of Air Chief Marshal Lord Hugh C.T. Dowding, RAF. Married 1st (1915) Kathleen Charlotte Hamilton (died 1961), daughter of late Capt. J.H. Drummond, 34th Regt (Border); one son (died of wounds in France, 1940). Married 2nd (1964) Penelope Wilhelmina, only daughter of late Charles Onslow Master of Flax Bourton, Somerset, and widow of John Statter.
04.01.1886
Moffat, Dumfrieshire
-
26.11.1966
[London ?]
A/S.Lt.
15.04.1905?
S.Lt.
08.10.1906, seniority 15.04.1905
Lt.
15.07.1906
Lt.Cdr.
15.07.1914
Cdr.
31.12.1918
Capt.
30.06.1926
R.Adm.
19.08.1936 (retd 06.05.1940)
V.Adm. (retd)
06.05.1940 (reverted to retd 1945)
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire KBE
01.01.1945
New Year 45
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
09.06.1938
HM's birthday 38
Officer of the Legion of Merit (US) LM
28.05.1946
?
Education: Clifton College; HMS Britannia
1900


joined RN
(01.1925)
-
(07.1927)
Air Ministry
13.06.1929
-
(02.1931)
Commanding Officer, HMS Cornwall (cruiser) (China Station)
30.03.1931
-
(09.1932)
Commanding Officer, Gunnery School, Chatham [HMS Pembroke]
03.01.1933
-
(01.1934)
HMS President (for Directorate of Organisation and Staff Duties, Air Ministry)
16.03.1935
-
(07.1935)
Senior Officers' War Course, RN War College, Greenwich [HMS President]
15.08.1935
-
(02.1936)
Commanding Officer, HMS Furious (aircraft carrier) (Home Fleet)
12.07.1936
-
19.08.1936
Naval ADC to the King
11.01.1937
-
(02.1937)
Senior Officers' Technical Course, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
(07.1937)


no appointment listed
01.02.1938
-
(08.1938)
HMS President (for miscellaneous or special sevice)
27.09.1938
-
(07.)1945
Admiral Superintendent, HM Dockyard Devonport [HMS Drake]
Dowling,
Dudley Burdett
D.B. Dowling
(12?).1900
Brentford district, Middlesex
-
14.05.1987
Parkview, Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
?
Lt.
15.08.1921
Lt.Cdr.
15.08.1929 (retd 28.10.1945)
A/Cdr.
31.03.1943
Cdr. (retd)
28.10.1945
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
01.01.1943
New Year 43
13.08.1922
-
(08.1923)
HMS Sikh (torpedo-boat destroyer)
(01.1925)


no appointment listed
08.04.1926
-
(07.1927)
HMS Lowestoft (cruiser) (Africa)
21.11.1928
-
(04.)1930
HMS Canterbury (cruiser) (Atlantic Fleet)
09.06.1930
-
(01.)1932
Commanding Officer, HMS Seamew (river gunboat) (China)
(09.1932)


no appointment listed
13.09.1933
-
(01.1934)
Commanding Officer, HMS Dundalk (twin screw minesweeper) (1st Minesweeping Flotilla)
03.01.1935
-
(02.)1936
HMS Nelson (battleship) (Home Fleet)
31.07.1936
-
(07.)1937
HMS Dauntless (cruiser) (Reserve Fleet, Portsmouth)
21.07.1937
-
(10.1938)
HMS Durban (cruiser) (Reserve Fleet, Portsmouth)
06.01.1939
-
(04.)1940
HMS Victory (RN base, Portsmouth) (for training duties)
17.09.1940
-
(02.)1943
HMS King George V (battleship)
31.03.1943
-
(10.)1943
Executive Officer, HMS Saunders
15.11.1943
-
(07.1945)
Executive Officer, HMS Queen (escort carrier)
D'Oyly-Hughes,
Guy

G. D'Oyly-Hughes
G. D'Oyly-Hughes
G. D'Oyly-Hughes
G. D'Oyly-Hughes
Eldest son of late Dr Samuel D'Oyly Hughes (died 1937), and Keziah Hughes, of New Milton, Hampshire.
Married (1920) Ann Margaret Gladys, daughter of J.A.O. Crawford, Co. Down; two daughters.
Lived at London.

You can SUPPORT the site by sharing this document when purchasing it.

01.08.1891
Utah, USA
-
08.06.1940
(KIA) [age 48]
[Plymouth Naval Memorial, panel 36, column 1]
Midsh.
?
S.Lt.
30.04.1912
Lt.
30.09.1913
Lt.Cdr.
30.09.1921
Cdr.
31.12.1925
Capt.
31.12.1932
Distinguished Service Order DSO
08.10.1915
Dardanelles *
Distinguished Service Order DSO
14.09.1918
for services in action with enemy submarines
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
24.06.1915
destroying Turkish ships Sea of Marmora
Royal Humane Society's Medal in silver