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Royal Navy (RN) Officers
1939-1945

 

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N.A. Wodehouse   to   H.D. Wyldbore-Smith
Wodehouse,
Norman Atherton
N.A. Wodehouse
N.A. Wodehouse
Son of Reverend Frederick Armine Wodehouse (1842-1921) and Alice Elizabeth Juliana Powys (died 1934).
Married (22.10.1923) Theodosia Frances Boyle (born 24.06.1890), daughter of Cdr. Edward Louis Dalrymple Boyle and Theodosia Isabella Ogilvie, and widow of Douglas William Swire, Captain Shropshire Yeomanry; two sons.

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18.05.1887
Basford district, Derbyshire / Nottinghamshire
-
04.07.1941
a/b SS Robert L. Holt (sunk by German submarines)
(KIA)
[Liverpool Naval Memorial]
A/S.Lt.
30.07.1906
S.Lt.
06.04.1907, seniority 30.07.1906
Lt.
18.07.1908, seniority 30.07.1907
Lt.Cdr.
30.07.1915
Cdr.
30.06.1919
Capt.
30.06.1926
R.Adm.
02.06.1937 (retd 08.05.1940)
V.Adm. (retd)
08.05.1940
Cdre. 2nd cl. RNR
?
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
02.01.1939
New Year 39

Order of Striped Tiger of China (1919)
Royal Humane Society Silver Medal (1915)

Education: Royal Naval School, Lee­on­the­Solent; HMS Britannia; Imperial Defence College
15.01.1902
 
 
entered RN
1904


Midshipman, HMS Caesar, Atlantic Fleet
1905


Midshipman, HMS Bulwark, Mediterranean
1913


Gunnery Officer, HMS Warrior
1914
-
1918
served European War
30.08.1915
-
(01.1919)
Gunnery Officer, HMS Revenge (battleship)
1919
-
1922
Staff Commander on staff of Commander-in-Chief, China Station [HMS Hawkins (light cruiser)]
16.02.1922
-
(08.1923)
an Assistant to Director of Naval Ordnance, Admiralty [HMS PResident]
01.07.1924
-
(05.1926)
Executive Officer, HMS Frobisher (cruiser) (Mediterranean)
14.03.1927
-
(07.1927)
senior officers' war course, RN War College, Greenwich
17.12.1928
-
(08.1929)
Commanding Officer, HMS Ceres (cruiser) (Mediterranean)
(04.1930)
-
(10.1930)
Commanding Officer, HMS Calypso (cruiser) (Mediterranean)
12.01.1931
-
(02.01931 senior officers' technical course, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
28.12.1931
-
(01.)1934
Commanding Officer, RN College, Dartmouth [HMS Britannia]
1935


senior officers' technical course, Portsmouth
07.05.1935
-
(07.)1935
tactical course, HM Dockyard, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
30.08.1935
-
(07.1937)
Flag Captain, HMS Barham (battleship) (Mediterranean)
19.01.1938
-
(02.)1938
HMS President (for miscellaneous or special services)
18.02.1938
-
(10.)1938
HMS President (for miscellaneous or special services)
18.10.1938
-
(02.)1939
Head of British Military Mission to Portugal [HMS President[
(04.1939)


no appointment listed
05.1939
-
(09.1939)
Rear-Admiral-in-Charge & Admiral-Superintendent  HM Dockyard Gibraltar [HMS Cormorant]
03.01.1940
-
(04.1940)
HMS President (for miscellaneous services at Admiralty)
(02.1941)


HMS President *
1941?
-
04.07.1941
Commodore of Convoys [HMS Eaglet]
* indexed, but not listed as such
Wodehouse,
Philip George
P.G. Wodehouse
Son of Rev. Philip John Wodehouse (1836-1917) and Marion Bryan Wallas (1852-1922).
Married 1st (25.10.1915) Beaujolois Theresa Constance Ridout (1889-1986), daughter of Arthur George Ridout (marriage dissolved 1928); one daughter.
Married 2nd (06.1928) Alice Margaret Rowe (1901-1997), daughter of William Rowe.

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22.11.1883
Barnstaple, Devon
-
04.04.1973
A/S.Lt.
15.09.1903?
S.Lt.
24.09.1904, seniority 15.09.1903
Lt.
01.04.1906
Lt.Cdr.
01.04.1914
Cdr.
31.12.1918 (retd 26.11.1929; own request)
Capt. (retd)
26.11.1929 (reactivated 18.09.1939) (reverted to retd 1946?)
Distinguished Service Order DSO
17.05.1918
Mediterranean
Officer, Order of the Crown (Italy) ItCrwn
21.06.1918
?
15.01.1899
 
 
entered RN
(1915)


Commanding Officer, HMS Rattlesnake (Gallipoli 04.1915)
22.09.1916
-
(01.1919)
Commanding Officer, HMS Northesk (torpedo-boat destroyer)
22.01.1923
-
(01.)1925
Mobilisation Department, Admiralty [HMS President]
08.04.1925
-
(05.1926)
[Commanding Officer ?,] ML 291 (motor launch)
20.05.1927
-
(07.1927)
HMS Malcolm (flotilla leader) (Reserve Fleet, Nore) (for destroyers in reserve)
(08.1929)


no appointment listed
18.09.1939
-
(02.1941)
Commanding Officer, HMS Pegasus (depot ship, Devonport)
(08.1942)


no appointment listed
(02.1943)
-
(06.1943)
not indexed, so probably reverted to the retired list, but again reactivated:
02.07.1943
-
(06.1944)
Senior Officer, Thames Local Defence Flotilla [HMS Wildfire (RN base, Sheerness)]
?
-
(07.1945)
Commanding Officer, HMS Wildfire (RN base, Sheerness)
(04.1946)


no appointment listed
Wonnacott,
William Ernest
W.E. Wonnacott
Son of Ernest William Wonnacott (1883-1949), and Susannah Hadassah Sarah Carpenter (1887/88-1922).
Married (1937) Katie May Prideaux (20.04.1912-11.1999), from Cornwall; one daughter, one son.
15.02.1912
Devonport district, Devon
-
(06?).1971
Plymouth district, Hampshire
A/Wt.Shipwr.
30.11.1939
Wt.Shipwr.
?, seniority 30.11.1939
A/Cd.Shipwr.
18.06.1945
Sen.Cd.Shipwr.
01.10.1948
Shipwr.Lt. (Special Duties List)
01.01.1957
Shipwr.Lt.Cdr.
01.04.1959 (retd 15.02.1962)
1926/27?


entered RN as Apprentice Shipwright
1939?
-
1940?
HMS Codrington (destroyer)
07.02.1940
-
16.06.1942
HMS Hermione (cruiser) [torpedoed & sunk by U-205 south of Crete]
17.06.1942
-
(10.)1943
HMS Nile (RN base, Alexandria, Egypt) (for duty with Naval Officer-in-Charge, Tripoli)
(12.1943)


no appointment listed
07.03.1944
-
(06.1944)
on staff of Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth [HMS Drake (RN base, Devonport)]
(07.1945)


HMS Copra (Combined Operations accounting base)  *
(04.1946)


HMS Landswell (Mobile Landing Craft Advanced Base 1, Cochin) *
01.10.1946
-
(07.)1948
HM Dockyard, Portland [HMS Osprey]
19.10.1948
-
(05.)1949
HMS Unicorn (aircraft maintenance ship)
01.07.1949
-
(05.1950)
HMS Howe (battleship) (for miscellaneous duties)
12.02.1951
-
(05.1953)
HMS Illustrious (aircraft carrier)
?
-
(04.)1955
Naval Equipment Department, Admiralty [HMS President]
17.05.1955
-
(01.1957)
on staff of Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth [HMS Drake (RN base, Devonport)]
?
-
(01.1959)
HMS Tyne (destroyer depot ship)
?
-
(07.1961)
HMS Drake (RN base, Devonport)
* indexed, but not listed as such
Wood,
George Edward Cameron
G.E.C. Wood
Son of Edward and Julia Cameron Wood; husband of Cecily Delamere Wood, of Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex.

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10.07.1900 Bucklow district, Cheshire
-
05.11.1940
(KIA) [age 40]
[Chatham Naval Memorial, panel 34, column 1]
A/S.Lt.
15.05.1918
A/Lt.
?
Lt.
15.10.1920
Lt.Cdr.
15.10.1928
15.07.1916
 
 
entered RN
(01.1919)


HMS Scorpion (destroyer) *
12.05.1922
-
(08.1923)
HMS Venomous (torpedo-boat destroyer)
25.10.1924
-
(01.1925)
HMS Volunteer (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
(05.1926)


no appointment listed
03.1927
-
(07.)1927
HMS Wolsey (destroyer) (China)
12.10.1927
-
(08.1929)
HMS Emperor of India (battleship) (Atlantic)
03.09.1929
-
(04.)1930
First Lieutenant, HMS Wallflower (sloop) (Africa)
17.04.1930
-
(09.1932)
First Lieutenant, HMS Delphinium (sloop) (Africa)
01.01.1934
-
(07.)1935
HMS Centurion (target vessel)
28.08.1935
-
(02.)1936
HMS Eagle (aircraft carrier) (Reserve Fleet, Devonport)
09.11.1936
-
(02.)1937
Commanding Officer, HMS Shikari (destroyer) (Home Fleet)
04.05.1937
-
(04.)1940
Commanding Officer, HMS Centurion (target vessel)
09.1940
-
05.11.1940
Executive Officer, HMS Jervis Bay (armed merchant cruiser)
* indexed, but not listed as such
Wood,
Gordon Graham
W.E. Wonnacott
Son of ... Wood, and ... Milne.
21.12.1911
Chertsey district, Surrey
-
03.1995
Chichester, West Sussex
T/Lt. (E)
10.06.1940
T/A/Lt.Cdr. (E)
20.02.1943? (reld > 04.1946)
24.01.1940
-
(12.1941)
HMS Hornet (Coastal Forces base, Gosport)
08.04.1942
-
(02.)1943
Engineer Officer, 16th MTB Flotilla [HMS Saker (British Admiralty Delegation, Washington, USA)]
20.02.1943
-
(08.)1943
HMS Braganza (RN base, Bombay, India)
(10.1943)
-
(10.1944)
HMS Braganza (RN base, Bombay, India) *
30.10.1944
-
(07.)1945
HMS Beehive (Coastal Forces base, Felixstowe)
20.10.1945
-
(04.1946)
HMS Badger (RN base, Harwich)
* indexed, but not listed as such
Woodhall,
Eric Langton
E.L. Woodhall

Son of Gerald Frederick and Hilda Sabina Fluester Woodhall.
16.12.1899
Paddington, London
-
21.06.1940
(KIA)
[Portsmouth Naval Memorial, panel 36, column 3]
Midsh.
15.06.1918
A/Lt.
?
Lt.
27.10.1922, seniority 15.12.1921
Lt.Cdr.
15.12.1929
A/Cdr.
12.11.1939?
Distinguished Service Order DSO
23.12.1939
successful actions against enemy submarines [investiture 06.02.40]
Member of the Royal Victorian Order, 4th Class MVO
08.08.1932
?
15.06.1918
-
(01.1919)
HMS Glorious (cruiser) (European War)
1920


HMS Centurion (Black Sea)
17.08.1922
-
(08.1923)
HMS Walrus (torpedo-boat destroyer)
(01.1925)


Pylmouth Division, Royal Marines
22.06.1926
-
(07.1927)
HMS Colombo (cruiser) (North America & West Indies)
05.06.1929
-
(08.)1929
First Lieutenant, HMS Woolston (destroyer) (Mediteranean)
08.1929
-
(02.)1931
First Lieutenant, HMS Amazon (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
07.01.1932
-
1933
Commanding Officer, HMS Tiverton (twin screw minesweeper) (1st Minesweeping Flotilla)
20.07.1933
-
1936
Commanding Officer, HMS Acasta (destroyer) (Mediterranean)
(02.1936)


no appointment listed
1936


Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
27.08.1936
-
(10.1938)
HMS Tamar (RN base, Hong Kong) (for duty with Petty Officers' courses)
31.07.1939
-
(08.)1939
Commanding Officer, HMS Eclipse (destroyer)
12.11.1939
-
21.06.1940
Commanding Officer, HMS Cape Howe (armed merchant cruiser)
Woodhouse,
[Sir] Charles Henry Lawrence
C.H.L. Woodhouse

Son of Rev. A.P. Woodhouse and F.D. Woodhouse.
Married (1928) Barbara Margaret, daughter of Dr H.M. Brownfield, Petersfield; three daughters.
Residence: (1947) Cossington, Petersfield, Hants.

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09.07.1893
East Retford district, Nottinghamshire
-
23.09.1978
[Warlingham, Surrey ?]
A/S.Lt.
?
S.Lt.
15.03.1914
Lt.
15.04.1915
Lt.Cdr.
15.04.1923
Cdr.
31.12.1927
Capt.
31.12.1934
R.Adm.
08.01.1944
V.Adm.
21.01.1948 (retd 15.08.1950)
Adm. (retd)
26.01.1952

Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

KCB
09.06.1949
HM birthday 49 [investiture 13.07.50]
Companion of the Order of the Bath CB
23.12.1939
action with Admiral Graf Spee 13.12.39
Commander, Order of Merit (Chile)
06.09.1940
Concepcion earthquake 24.01.39 [award handed]
 Silver Medal of Concepcion (Chile)
1939?
Concepcion earthquake 24.01.39 [award handed]
Education: RN Colleges Osborne & Dartmouth
15.05.1906


entered RN
16.12.1918
-
(01.1919)
2nd Gunnery Officer, HMS St Vincent (battleship)
04.1922
-
(08.1923)
HMS Excellent (gunnery school, Portsmouth)
10.08.1924
-
(05.1926)
Gunnery Officer, HMS Coventry (cruiser) (Mediterranean)
01.1927
-
(07.1927)
HMS Excellent (gunnery school, Portsmouth)
01.01.1928
-
(08.1929)
HMS Excellent (gunnery school, Portsmouth)
14.01.1930
-
(10.1930)
staff course, RN Staff College, Greenwich [HMS President]
01.01.1931
-
(09.1932)
Staff Officer (Operations) to Rear-Admiral, 2nd Battle Squadron & Squadron Gunnery Officer [HMS Warspite (battleship)]
01.02.1933
-
(01.1934)
Executive Officer, HMS Enterprise (cruiser) (East Indies)
23.02.1935
-
(02.1937)
Assistant Director of Naval Equipment, Admiralty [HMS President]
10.05.1937
-
(07.1937)
tactical course, HM Dockyard, Portsmouth [HMS Victory]
09.10.1937
-
(04.1940)
Commanding Officer, HMS Ajax (cruiser) (Battle of the River Plate 13 Dec 1939)
10.06.1940
-
01.10.1940
served at Admiralty [HMS President]
01.10.1940
-
(02.1941)
Director of Local Defence Division, Admiralty [HMS President]
03.04.1942
-
(12.)1943
Commanding Officer, HMS Howe (battleship)
08.07.1943
-
08.01.1944
Naval ADC to the King
13.03.1944
-
(07.1945)
Director of Naval Ordnance, Admiralty [HMS President]
03.1946
-
(04.1946)
Rear-Admiral, Aircraft Carriers [HMS Implacable]
04.1948
-
04.1950
Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station [HMS Norfolk, later HMS Mauritius]
(05.1950)


no appointment listed
Woods,
Charles Humphrey de Meuron
C.H. de M. Woods
Son of Ernest Woods. Married (10.04.1920) Grace Marion Collier at Beckenham Parish Church.

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24.08.1894
-
died between 08.1977 and 08.1983
Midsh.
15.05.1907
A/S.Lt.
15.05.1914
S.Lt.
15.11.1914
A/Lt.
15.06.1916
Lt.
27.02.1918, seniority 15.05.1916
(retd 02.10.1920; own request)
Lt.Cdr. (retd)
15.05.1924
Cdr. (retd)
24.08.1934 (reverted to retd 18.07.1942; medically unfit)
15.05.1907
 
 
entered RN
15.01.1912


HMS Indefatigable
10.10.1918
-
(01.1919)
First Lieutenant, HMS Vanity (destroyer)
27.02.1924


applied for Master Certificate BOT (granted 19.03.1924)
04.10.1939

04.10.1939

07.07.1940
-

-

-
06.1942

07.07.1940

06.1942

HMS St Angelo (RN base, Malta) (for miscellaneous duties at Malta)
additional for duty with CCB [= Contraband Control Board?] Malta
additional for staff Vice-Admiral Malta
19.06.1942 -
17.07.1942
arrived Kenya for medical board & appointment terminated (neurasthenia)
Woods,
Derek Ashfield
D.A. Woods
Son of ... Woods, and ... Jacks.
From Churt, Surrey.
19.08.1923
Croydon district, Greater London / Kent, Surrey
-
07.2004
Whyke, Chicester
Midsh.
01.01.1941
S.Lt.
16.10.1942
Lt.
16.07.1944
Lt.Cdr.
16.07.1952 (General List 01.01.1957)  (retd > 01.1957, < 07.1959)
Distinguished Service Cross DSC
01.08.1944
destruction U473 Western Approaches 06.05.44 [award posted]
Mention in Despatches MID
13.06.1944
2nd Support Group, 6 U-boats sunk in 10 days

 

24.08.1942
-
(08.1942)
promotion course, Portsmouth
14.01.1943
-
(08.1943)
HMS Aberdeen (sloop)
(10.1943)
-
(12.1943)
no appointment listed
20.12.1943
-
(06.1944)
HMS Wild Goose (sloop)
16.04.1945
-
(07.1945)
[CO?] HMS St Bride's Bay (frigate)
(04.1946)


no appointment listed
(07.1948)

  no appointment listed
13.03.1950
-
(05.1950)
HMS Sea Eagle
(05.1953)


HMNZS Philomel II
26.07.1954
-
(01.1956)
HMS Grenville
Woods,
[Sir] Wilfrid John Wentworth
W.J.W. Woods
Son of late Sir Wilfrid Woods, KCMG, KBE, and late Ethel Maud Woods (née Palmer).
Married 1st (1930) Murray Auriol Ruth Inglis (died 1956); one daughter (one son deceased).
Married 2nd (1957) Joan Bridget Constance Eden.
19.02.1906
-
01.01.1975
Burley, Hampshire
Midsh.
1924
S/Lt.
1926
Lt.
1928
Lt.Cdr.
1936
Cdr.
30.06.1941
Capt.
30.06.1945
R.Adm.
07.01.1955
V.Adm.
1958
Adm.
1960 (retd 1965)

GBE 1963; KCB 1960 (CB 1957); DSO 1942; Bar to DSO 1942; DL.

Education: Seabrook Lodge, Hythe, Kent; Royal Naval Colleges Osborne and Dartmouth
1927


joined Submarines
1935


First Command, HMS Seahorse (submarine)
1936


HMS Nelson
1939


RN Staff College
1939


Staff of 6th S/M Flotilla, Home Waters
1940


Commanding Officer, HMS Triumph (submarine) (Mediterranean) (DSO and Bar, Order of White Eagle of Yugo­Slavia)
1942


Staff of Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean
22.02.1944
-
(06.)1944
Commanding Officer, HMS Centurion (Normandy)
27.07.1944
-
(10.1944)
Staff of 3rd S/M Flotilla, Home Waters [HMS Forth]
1945
-
11.05.1945
Commanding Officer, HMS Forth & Captain (S) 3rd Submarine Flotilla
1947


Chief Staff Officer to Flag Officer S/M's
1948


Admiralty, as Director of Torpedo, Anti­Submarine and Mine Warfare
1951


idc
1952


Commanding Officer, HMS Indomitable
1953


Chief of Staff to Comander-in-Chief Mediterranean as Cdre 1st Class
07.12.1955
-
11.1957
Flag Officer (Submarines)
1958
-
1960
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
1960
-
1962
Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, and NATO Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic Area
1963
-
1965
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth and Allied Commander-in-Chief, Channel
1962
-
1965
also: Principal Naval ADC to the Queen
Commodore RN Sailing Association, 1963-1966. Member, Committee of Management, RNLI, 1966, Chairman, 1968-1972; President, Sea Cadet Corps Sports Council, 1966; Chairman, Foudroyant Trust, 1967. DL Hants 1971. Knight Commander, Order of King George the First of Greece, 1963.
Woodward,
Edwin Hopcraft
E.H. Woodward

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05.11.1905
Oxford, Berkshire
-
01.1985
Portsmouth, Hampshire
Seaman
? [J100412]
A/Gnr.
01.10.1936
Gnr.
?, seniority 01.10.1936 (retd < 07.1948)
A/Cd.Gnr.
18.06.1945
A/Lt.
?
(07.1937)
-
(07.1937)
no appointment listed
29.08.1937
-
(04.1940
HMNZS Wakakura (trawler) [lent to New Zealand government]
15.11.1940
-
(02.1941)
HMS Latona (minelayer)
(08.1942)


no appointment listed
24.11.1942
-