Edward George Lowther-Crofton

Vice-Admiral (retired) Edward George Lowther-Crofton, D.S.O., Royal Navy (9 August, 1873 – 19 July, 1942) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Lowther-Crofton was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 September, 1892, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant dated 14 March, 1893.

In 1900, Lowther-Crofton wrote a helpful report on the Russian pre-dreadnought battleship Petropavlovsk. In 1901, he was thanked for his report on the American battleship Kentucky.

Lowther-Crofton was promoted to the rank of Commander on 26 June, 1902, aged twenty-eight years, ten months and seventeen days. He was appointed to the armoured cruiser Hogue on 1 July, 1903. On 21 May, 1904, he was appointed Commander of the armoured cruiser Suffolk.

In 1905, he was castigated by the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean for committing an indiscretion by being present at a dinner, possibly aboard H.M.S. Lancaster.

Captain

He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1909. Although he had spent over seven years as a Commander, he was still only thirty-six when promoted to Captain.

In May 1911, he assumed command of the depot ship St. George.

In September, 1912, the torpedo boats T.B. 27 and T.B. 30 collided and Lowther-Crofton was blamed for not having issued more explicit orders.

He was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Juno on 20 January, 1913.

Great War

Lowther-Crofton was appointed in command of the battleship Cæsar on 1 February, 1915 and relieved Edward William Elphinstone Wemyss on 11 February. In May of 1915, he was thanked for the resource and ability he displayed in attempting to secure the release of British subjects captured by the Moors.

Lowther-Crofton was relieved in command as Senior Naval Officer, Tyne in 1918 due to dissatisfaction at how he was carrying out his duties.

Post-War

Lowther-Crofton was appointed to Hecla II as Senior Naval Officer, Buncrana, on 15 July, 1919.

He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 7 October, 1920, vice Powlett.

Lowther-Crofton was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 1 March, 1926.

Lowther-Crofton died of prostate cancer.

Bibliography

• "Vice-Adml. Lowther-Crofton" (Obituaries). The Times. Friday, 24 July, 1942. Issue 49296, col E, pg. 7.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/141.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/89.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by David Beatty	Captain of H.M.S. Suffolk 13 Sep, 1905 – c. late Sep, 1905[Inference]	Succeeded by Rosslyn E. Wemyss
Preceded by Herbert A. S. Fyler	Captain of H.M.S. Sirius 9 Aug, 1906 – 29 Sep, 1908	Succeeded by Reginald G. Copleston
Preceded by Reginald G. Copleston	Captain of H.M.S. Sirius 10 Jun, 1909 – 14 Jul, 1909	Succeeded by Spencer R. S. Richards
Preceded by Ernest K. Loring	Captain of H.M.S. Spartiate 24 Jun, 1910 – c. 29 Jul, 1910	Succeeded by Thomas D. Pratt
Preceded by Guy L. Sclater	Captain of H.M.S. St. George 29 May, 1911 – 1 May, 1912	Succeeded by Vincent B. Molteno
Preceded by Godfrey M. Paine	Captain of H.M.S. Diamond 1 May, 1912 – 20 Jan, 1913	Succeeded by Lawrence L. Dundas
Preceded by Noel Grant	Captain (D), Fifth Destroyer Flotilla 1 May, 1912 – 27 Jan, 1914	Succeeded by Charles P. R. Coode
Preceded by Francis S. McGachen	Captain of H.M.S. Juno 20 Jan, 1913 – 27 Jan, 1914	Succeeded by Thomas C. A. Blomefield
Preceded by ?	Captain (D), Ninth Destroyer Flotilla 20 Jan, 1913 – 27 Jan, 1914	Succeeded by Alan C. Bruce
Preceded by Walter H. Cowan	Assistant to the Admiral of Patrols 7 Feb, 1914 – 1 Feb, 1915	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Edward W. E. Wemyss	Captain of H.M.S. Cæsar 1 Feb, 1915 – 10 Dec, 1915	Succeeded by Cunningham R. de C. Foot
Preceded by Frederick K. C. Gibbons	Captain of H.M.S. Satellite 20 Mar, 1916 – 14 Mar, 1918	Succeeded by William Bowden-Smith
Preceded by Frederick K. C. Gibbons	Senior Naval Officer, Tyne 20 Mar, 1916 – 13 Mar, 1918	Succeeded by William Bowden-Smith
Preceded by Frank Finnis	Senior Naval Officer, Buncrana 15 Jul, 1919 – 31 Dec, 1919	Succeeded by ?