George Perceval Maxwell FitzGerald
Commander (retired) George Perceval Maxwell FitzGerald, R.N. (2 May, 1884 – 8 January, 1956) served in the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Born in Kensington Town.
In October 1904, he was found drunk at the Royal Naval College. He was sent to sea for three months in H.M.S. Illustrious. He forfeited some time and was informed that further misbehaviour would result in his dismissal from the service.[1]
In 1906, he spent some time in Haslar Hospital and then suffered the appraisal that he was "not considereed fit at present to take charge of watch at sea" by H.M.S. Glory's Captain Troubridge. Furthermore, he was reported as not being strictly temperate.[2]
FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1907. On 18 November 1907, he suffered a head injury on board which resulted in facial paralysis. He went to Haslar and was reported fit on 21 January, 1908. He was in H.M.S. Essex for the Channel Cruise.[3]
He was subjected to periodic reports, during which time he was noted as having failed to obey an order on one occasion. He was also still reported to drink too much, though never to a point beyond becoming "shaky". He received the Admiralty's "grave displeasure" and the reports were to continue.
From 1910 to 1912, he served in the Royal Australian Navy aboard the battlecruiser New Zealand. From 29 August 1912 to 27 November 1914 he was appointed to Encounter.[4]
FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 1 April, 1915 while serving in command of the sloop Fantome from November 1914 until she arrived home in December 1915.[5]
FitzGerald commanded the sweeping sloop Verbena from 25 January 1916 until 22 May 1919. He apparently distinguished himself in escorting a convoy from Alexandria to Bizerte, taking his ship into the most endangered position such that a successful approach by an enemy submarine was made nearly impossible.[6]
However, at some point in 1919, FitzGerald forwarded a letter to the Rear-Admiral, Egypt in an irregular manner, warranting some disciplinary action. However, in October, he was strongly recommended for promotion by Rear-Admiral Jackson.[7]
After ten months in H.M.S. Blenheim, FitzGerald was suffering from insomnia. He was invalided in March and then placed on the Retired List at his own request with a gratuity on 30 April, 1920.[8]
World War II
In September 1939 he was called up to work with Prize Crews based at Kirkwall. In October 1940 he was placed in command of St. Sunniva[?], vice Gray.[9]
FitzGerald was promoted to the rank of Commander on 12 February, 1941.[10]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Robert H. Archer |
Captain of H.M.S. Fantome 27 Nov, 1914[11][12] – Dec, 1915[13] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by ? |
Captain of H.M.S. Verbena 25 Jan, 1916[14][15] – 22 May, 1919[16] |
Succeeded by Edward T. Marshall |
Footnotes
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 399k.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 926.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
- ↑ FitzGerald Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/183. f. 94.
