Ivan Beale Colvin

Captain Ivan Beale Colvin, R.N., Retired (12 July, 1891 – ) was an officer in the Royal Navy who served through the Great War despitea state of health that was spotty at best.

Life & Career

The son of Colonel Cecil H. Colvin, D.S.O. of the 3rd Battalion, Essex Regiment, Colvin gained no time on passing out of the Training Establishment. He possessed notable skills in French, drawing and in watercolours. His first naval appointment was in the armoured cruiser Shannon of the Fifth Cruiser Squadron, dated 15 January, 1909. Captain Fergusson of Shannon noted that Colvin had ability, but was "inclined to be casual."

Colvin was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant on 15 September, 1912.

Having just acquired a certificate in Engine Room duty, on 1 July, 1913, Colvin was granted 42 days sick leave to undergo surgery.

On 1 August, 1914, Colvin was appointed to H.M.S. Lookout. Colvin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 10 August, 1914. On 14 December, he was appointed to Liberty as first officer.

In October 1916, Colvin left Liberty for command of the P19. His appointment ended on 5 November and on 22 November, he was admitted to Haslar Hospital for two weeks' treatment of a wounded left foot. Despite this generous allotment, Colvin was declared fit after just six days.

On 25 January, 1917, Colvin developed mumps while visiting home. He was declared fit on 24 February. Colvin was thanked for his services in picking up survivors from the torpedoed hospital ship Gloucester Castle on 30 March. On 10 April, he was again brought to notice for picking up survivors of P26, which had struck a mine. On 6 July, however, Colvin was sent ashore, sick with septic poisoning.

In November 1917, Colvin left P19 for command of Laverock.

On 31 March, 1918, Colvin was admitted to Plymouth Naval Hospital with rubella. He was fit on 10 April.

Colvin was appointed Lieutenant in Command of the destroyer Ursula on 5 August, 1918.

Post-War

In February, 1920, Colvin rescued the crew of the schooner Ruth Hickman and received an expression of Admiralty appreciation.

Colvin was appointed to the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth on 15 October, 1920 and lost a Webley pistol from the barracks some time before leaving for an appointment in command of Westminster on 12 May, 1922. Nonetheless, Colvin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 10 August, 1922.

Various health issues coontinued to dog the naval officer. Bronchial catarrh sent him to Haslar for a week in September 1921 and again to Queensferry for a few days in December 1922. An inguinal hernia on his left side necessitated his being superseded in command of Whirlwind in May, 1925 and went on unpaid time until being declared fit on 7 August. Colvin then took a month-long course in anti-submarine warfare and one in gyrocompasses. On 1 December, 1925, he was appointed to Venetia, to take command upon her re-commissioning.

Colvin was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1927.

Colvin was appointed to the light cruiser Centaur on 27 August, 1930. He was not in command and left on 13 January, 1933 for an appointment in Portsmouth Royal Naval Barracks, vice Peploe.

After suffering bouts of tonsilitis and then pyrexia in 1934, Colvin was reaching his limits. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 16 April, 1936 and subsequently promoted to the rank of Captain on 12 July, 1936.

World War II

Though he had been given an appointment in command of the armed merchant cruiser California on 2 September, 1939, Colvin was reportedly suffering from Parkinson's Disease and judged unfit for sea service or office work. He was superseded in command on 9 November, 1939 and may have, nonetheless, done some work with the Naval Intelligence Division.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Sir James H. Domville, Bart.	Captain of H.M.S. P19 6 Oct, 1916 – 5 Nov, 1917	Succeeded by Philip H. Calderon
Preceded by Arthur G. Tippet	Captain of H.M.S. Ursula 5 Aug, 1918 – Aug, 1920	Succeeded by Joseph H. L. Yorke
Preceded by Patrick Butter	Captain of H.M.S. Ursa Aug, 1920 – 15 Oct, 1920	Succeeded by Edward Eastwick-Field
Preceded by Colin S. Thomson	Captain of H.M.S. Westminster 12 May, 1922 – 20 Mar, 1923	Succeeded by Leslie T. Creery Hill
Preceded by Thomas C. A. H. Ouchterlony	Captain of H.M.S. Whirlwind Apr, 1923 – 5 May, 1925	Succeeded by Donal S. McGrath
Preceded by Reginald Nash	Captain of H.M.S. Venetia 1 Dec, 1925 – 17 May, 1927	Succeeded by Harold R. W. Turnor
Preceded by David J. R. Simson	Captain of H.M.S. Venturous 17 May, 1927 – 30 Mar, 1928	Succeeded by Harold R. W. Turnor
Preceded by Harold R. W. Turnor	Captain of H.M.S. Venetia 30 Mar, 1928 – 5 Apr, 1928	Succeeded by Benjamin C. S. Martin