Astle Scott Littlejohns
Captain (emergency) Astle Scott Littlejohns, C.M.G., R.N. (13 June, 1873 – 3 December, 1939) served in the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Littlejohns entered Britannia in January, 1886 after placing thiry-fifth in order of merit of the forty candidates for naval cadetship that were accepted for acceptance following a round of examinations in late November, 1885.[1]
Littlejohns was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1894.
Through the 1890s, few superior officers could evaluate him but in negative terms. Atkinson noted Littlejohns's skills in drawing and French, but bemourned his want of zeal. Hammick echoed his estimation thaty Littlejohns was careless. Bigge went further, writing, "this officer takes but small interest in his duties. I never felt any confidence in him. I cannot recommend him for any advancement."
Littlejohns's resignation was accepted on 7 February, 1902 and he was placed on the Emergency List.
Littlejohns was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in June, 1902.
Despite a dismal naval career in peacetime, Littlejohns performed well in war. In 1914, he commanded armoured trains in Antwerp and on the continent, supporting army operations, and was slightly wounded on one such sortie by the burst of a high explosive shell. He was specially mentioned for his armoured train efforts in early 1915 – even from the pen of Sir John French. He was awarded a C.M.G. in light of these accolades.
Littlejohns was promoted to the rank of Commander (emergency) in April, 1915.
In June, 1916, Littlejohns was invalided at Marseilles with varicose veins.
On 26 March, 1919, Littlejohns was promoted to the rank of Captain (emergency) with seniority of 11 November, 1918 in recognition of services rendered during the war.
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Robert M. Groves |
Captain of H.M.S. Cicala 27 Oct, 1916[2] – Feb, 1918 |
Succeeded by Edward T. Grayston |
Footnotes
