Difference between revisions of "Vernon Saumarez Butler"

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to navigationJump to search
(add RN/RNR/RNVR categories)
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 6: Line 6:
 
Butler was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 1 October, 1907.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
 
Butler was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 1 October, 1907.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
  
−
Butler was appointed in command of the {{UK-Quail|f=t}} on 16 September, 1912.{{NLJul13|p. 363}}
+
In March 1908 he was appointed to the {{UK-Shannon|f=t}} of the {{UK-CS|5}}.  Three months later, there was a Court of Enquiry into the ship's unsatisfactory shooting in a heavy gunlaying test.  Butler and two other officers were found to have failed to establish any system for the firing, or to have provided suitable oversight.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
  
−
==Greta War==
+
Butler was appointed in command of the {{UK-Quail|f=t}} on 16 September, 1912.{{NLJul13|p. 363}}  He seems not to have been involved with her collision with a quay on 8 May 1913, as it is not mentioned in his Service Record.{{NMI|Friday, May 09, 1913; pg. 4; Issue 40207}}
 +
 
 +
==Great War==
 
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-Leopard|f=t}} on 19 February, 1914.{{NLJan15|p. 347}}
 
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-Leopard|f=t}} on 19 February, 1914.{{NLJan15|p. 347}}
  
−
Butler was appointed in command of {{UK-Lassoo}} on 24 September, 1915 and promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 1 October.  ''Lassoo'' was mined and lost on 13 August, 1916.  In the routine Court Martial following her loss, it was noted that excellent discipline had prevailed.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
+
Butler was appointed in command of {{UK-Lassoo}} on 24 September, 1915 and promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 1 October.   
 +
 
 +
Butler was brought to notice by Commodore (T) for his conduct in saving the crew of the {{UK-Medusa|f=t}}, which had collided with {{UK-Laverock}} on the exceedingly dark night of 25 March 1916 in the face of a strong gale and heavy sea.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
 +
 
 +
''Lassoo'' was lost on 13 August, 1916 to what the Admiralty thought to be a mine, but which was more likely a torpedo from {{DE-UB10}}.  In the routine Court Martial following her loss, it was noted that excellent discipline had prevailed.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
  
 
Butler was awarded the D.S.O. in early 1918 "for services in Destroyer & Torpedo Boat Flotillas in the period ending 31/12/17".  The award was bestowed at Buckingham Palace on 31 July, 1918.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
 
Butler was awarded the D.S.O. in early 1918 "for services in Destroyer & Torpedo Boat Flotillas in the period ending 31/12/17".  The award was bestowed at Buckingham Palace on 31 July, 1918.<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>
Line 50: Line 56:
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Serapis (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Serapis'']]'''<br>28 Jan, 1919{{NLDec20|p. 863}}<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; Aug, 1921<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Austen Gerald Lilley|Austen G. Lilley]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Serapis (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Serapis'']]'''<br>28 Jan, 1919{{NLDec20|p. 863}}<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; Aug, 1921<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Austen Gerald Lilley|Austen G. Lilley]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Austen Gerald Lilley|Austen G. Lilley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Torch (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Torch'']]'''<br>Aug, 1921<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 20 Nov, 1921<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Lloyd Hamer|Richard L. Hamer]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Austen Gerald Lilley|Austen G. Lilley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Torch (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Torch'']]'''<br>Aug, 1921<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 20 Nov, 1921<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Lloyd Hamer|Richard L. Hamer]]'''}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Barry Stewart Bingham|The Hon. Edward B. S. Bingham]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Enchantress (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Enchantress'']]'''<br>''c''. early 1926<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Ignatius Hallett|John I. Hallett]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Kenelm Everard Lane Creighton|Kenelm E. L. Creighton]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Enchantress (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Enchantress'']]'''<br>''c''. early 1926<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Douglas Faviell|Douglas Faviell]]'''}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[St. Aubyn Baldwin Wake|St. A. B. Wake]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cardiff (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cardiff'']]'''<br>1 Jan, 1927<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; Jan, 1929<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Evelyn Charles Blagrove|H. Evelyn C. Blagrove]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[St. Aubyn Baldwin Wake|St. A. B. Wake]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cardiff (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cardiff'']]'''<br>1 Jan, 1927{{NLJul27|p. 222}}<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; Jan, 1929<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Evelyn Charles Blagrove|H. Evelyn C. Blagrove]]'''}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert Acheson Forster|Herbert A. Forster]]'''|'''[[Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves|Naval Assistant to Admiral Commanding Reserves]]'''<br>20 Sep, 1932<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 20 Sep, 1934<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Cyril Bradley|Frederick C. Bradley]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert Acheson Forster|Herbert A. Forster]]'''|'''[[Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves|Naval Assistant to Admiral Commanding Reserves]]'''<br>20 Sep, 1932<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 20 Sep, 1934<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederic Cyril Bradley|Frederic C. Bradley]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Vandeleur Creagh|James V. Creagh]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Shoreham (1930)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Shoreham'']]'''<br>22 Mar, 1935{{NLOct35|p. 275}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Allan Poland|Allan Poland]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Vandeleur Creagh|James V. Creagh]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Shoreham (1930)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Shoreham'']]'''<br>22 Mar, 1935{{NLOct35|p. 275}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Allan Poland|Allan Poland]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Douglas Blake Fisher|Douglas B. Fisher]]'''|'''[[Persian Gulf|Senior Officer, Persian Gulf]]'''<br>22 Mar, 1935 &ndash; 20 Mar, 1937|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Haines Faulkner|George H. Faulkner]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Douglas Blake Fisher|Douglas B. Fisher]]'''|'''[[Persian Gulf|Senior Officer, Persian Gulf]]'''<br>22 Mar, 1935 &ndash; 20 Mar, 1937|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Haines Faulkner|George H. Faulkner]]'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Humphrey Benson Jacomb|Humphrey B. Jacomb]]'''|'''[[Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves|Naval Assistant to Admiral Commanding Reserves]]'''<br>18 Dec, 1939<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 13 Jan, 1941<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
 
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Humphrey Benson Jacomb|Humphrey B. Jacomb]]'''|'''[[Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves|Naval Assistant to Admiral Commanding Reserves]]'''<br>18 Dec, 1939<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 13 Jan, 1941<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
−
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Noel Frank Laurence|Noel F. Laurence]]'''|'''[[Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves|Admiral Commanding Reserves]]'''<br>13 Jan, 1941<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 26 Mar, 1941<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Noel Frank Laurence|Noel F. Laurence]]'''|'''[[Admiral Commanding Coastguard and Reserves|Admiral Commanding Reserves]]'''<br>13 Jan, 1941<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref> &ndash; 26 Mar, 1941<ref>Butler Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/50/68.|D7604480}} f. 205.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Penrose Mark-Wardlaw|William P. Mark-Wardlaw]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
Line 68: Line 74:
 
{{CatRear|UK}}
 
{{CatRear|UK}}
 
{{CatBritannia|September, 1900}}
 
{{CatBritannia|September, 1900}}
 +
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 22:21, 6 April 2022

Rear-Admiral Vernon Saumarez Butler, D.S.O., R.N. (19 October, 1885 – 25 June, 1954) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Butler was born in Bath, the son of a barrister.[1]

Butler was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 October, 1907.[2]

In March 1908 he was appointed to the armoured cruiser Shannon of the Fifth Cruiser Squadron. Three months later, there was a Court of Enquiry into the ship's unsatisfactory shooting in a heavy gunlaying test. Butler and two other officers were found to have failed to establish any system for the firing, or to have provided suitable oversight.[3]

Butler was appointed in command of the destroyer Quail on 16 September, 1912.[4] He seems not to have been involved with her collision with a quay on 8 May 1913, as it is not mentioned in his Service Record.[5]

Great War

He was appointed in command of the destroyer Leopard on 19 February, 1914.[6]

Butler was appointed in command of Lassoo on 24 September, 1915 and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 1 October.

Butler was brought to notice by Commodore (T) for his conduct in saving the crew of the destroyer Medusa, which had collided with Laverock on the exceedingly dark night of 25 March 1916 in the face of a strong gale and heavy sea.[7]

Lassoo was lost on 13 August, 1916 to what the Admiralty thought to be a mine, but which was more likely a torpedo from UB 10. In the routine Court Martial following her loss, it was noted that excellent discipline had prevailed.[8]

Butler was awarded the D.S.O. in early 1918 "for services in Destroyer & Torpedo Boat Flotillas in the period ending 31/12/17". The award was bestowed at Buckingham Palace on 31 July, 1918.[9]

Butler was appointed in command of the destroyer Redgauntlet on 9 April, 1918.[10]

Post-war

Butler was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1918.[11]

He was appointed in command of the destroyer Serapis on 28 January, 1919.[12]

Butler was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1926.[13]

Butler was appointed in command of the light cruiser Cardiff in January, 1927 and was Flag Captain to Preston. He was subjected to a Court Martial on 6 March, 1928 on two counts of "negligent performance of duties". Both counts were found to be "not proved". He was superseded in January, 1929.[14]

On 12 April, 1930 he was appointed to be Chief Staff Officer to Berwick Curtis, Rear Admiral in Charge, Gibraltar. Butler kept on after Curtis was replaced by Thomas Norman James on 30 March, 1931 until Butler was superseded in this post in May, 1932.[15]

On 22 March, 1935 he was appointed in command of the sloop Shoreham and as Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf, vice Creagh. He was superseded there on 20 March, 1937.[16]

In early 1941, Butler was appointed as temporary Admiral Commanding Reserves, having twice been Naval Assistant to men holding that office. He was superseded in that position on 26 March, 1941. Thereafter, he continued to provide services to the A.C.R. with the rank of Commodore, Second Class, R.N.R..[17]

Butler succumbed to haemochromatosis on 25 June, 1954.[18]

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Ralph Neville 		Captain of H.M.S. Quail
16 Sep, 1912[19][20] – 30 Jan, 1914[21] 		Succeeded by
Francis A. Clutterbuck
Preceded by
Francis A. Clutterbuck 		Captain of H.M.S. Panther
30 Jan, 1914[22] – 19 Feb, 1914[23] 		Succeeded by
Brudenell Hunt-Grubbe
Preceded by
Geoffrey T. Wright 		Captain of H.M.S. Leopard
19 Feb, 1914[24][25] – 24 Sep, 1915[26] 		Succeeded by
Reginald Nash
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Lassoo
24 Sep, 1915[27] – 13 Aug, 1916[28] 		Succeeded by
Vessel Lost
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Sabrina
8 Sep, 1916[29][30] – 9 Apr, 1918[31] 		Succeeded by
Daniel H. Rainier
Preceded by
Aubrey T. Tillard 		Captain of H.M.S. Redgauntlet
9 Apr, 1918[32][33] – 28 Jan, 1919[34] 		Succeeded by
Alban Knubley
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Serapis
28 Jan, 1919[35][36] – Aug, 1921[37] 		Succeeded by
Austen G. Lilley
Preceded by
Austen G. Lilley 		Captain of H.M.S. Torch
Aug, 1921[38] – 20 Nov, 1921[39] 		Succeeded by
Richard L. Hamer
Preceded by
Kenelm E. L. Creighton 		Captain of H.M.S. Enchantress
c. early 1926[40] 		Succeeded by
Douglas Faviell
Preceded by
St. A. B. Wake 		Captain of H.M.S. Cardiff
1 Jan, 1927[41][42] – Jan, 1929[43] 		Succeeded by
H. Evelyn C. Blagrove
Preceded by
Herbert A. Forster 		Naval Assistant to Admiral Commanding Reserves
20 Sep, 1932[44] – 20 Sep, 1934[45] 		Succeeded by
Frederic C. Bradley
Preceded by
James V. Creagh 		Captain of H.M.S. Shoreham
22 Mar, 1935[46] 		Succeeded by
Allan Poland
Preceded by
Douglas B. Fisher 		Senior Officer, Persian Gulf
22 Mar, 1935 – 20 Mar, 1937 		Succeeded by
George H. Faulkner
Preceded by
Humphrey B. Jacomb 		Naval Assistant to Admiral Commanding Reserves
18 Dec, 1939[47] – 13 Jan, 1941[48] 		Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Noel F. Laurence 		Admiral Commanding Reserves
13 Jan, 1941[49] – 26 Mar, 1941[50] 		Succeeded by
William P. Mark-Wardlaw

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  2. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  3. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  4. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 363.
  5. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Friday, May 09, 1913; pg. 4; Issue 40207.
  6. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 347.
  7. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  8. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  9. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  10. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 890.
  11. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  12. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 863.
  13. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  14. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  15. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  16. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  17. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  18. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  19. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 363.
  20. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  21. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  22. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  23. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  24. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 395k.
  25. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  26. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  27. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  28. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  29. ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 397t.
  30. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  31. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  32. ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 890.
  33. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  34. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  35. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 863.
  36. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  37. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  38. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  39. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  40. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  41. ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 222.
  42. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  43. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  44. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  45. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  46. ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1935). p. 275.
  47. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  48. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  49. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.
  50. ↑ Butler Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/50/68. f. 205.

Retrieved from "http://dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Vernon_Saumarez_Butler&oldid=323575"