David Enderby Blunt

Commander (retired) David Enderby Blunt, (10 September, 1891 – ) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Blunt was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 May, 1914.

Blunt served in submarines of the Ninth Submarine Flotilla operating out of the Clyde from 23 June 1914 to 10 October, 1915 when her moved to the submarines of the Mediterranean Submarine Flotilla under Adamant for a single month. He was specifically appointed to E 14 from 10 September 1915 to 7 January, 1917, being admitted to Malta Hospital to be treated for tonsilitis in October 1916.

Blunt commanded C 8 from February until he was granted a period of leave on 21 June 1917. Otherwise, he was serving in submarines under composite screw sloop Dolphin, possibly serving as that depot ship's executive officer.

Blunt was placed on the Retired List on 26 March 1919. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 May, 1922.

Blunt was promoted to the rank of Commander on 10 September, 1931.

World War II

On 10 November 1939, Blunt was appointed Naval Officer in Charge, Mombasa.

On 7 July 1940, Blunt directed an unencyphered communication to the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies at Colombo protesting orders that he be relieved, believing these were rooted in charges against him which he had not had the chance to refute. He received in reply an encyphered message (which is bad SIGINT practice, incidentally) explaining that the charges were not directly the reason for his upcoming demobilization – he was thought unsuitable following "events at Kilindini." His request for a court of inquiry would be considered later. His ADM 196/53 service record contains no detail on this kerfuffle.

He reverted to the Retired List on 13 July, 1943.

See Also

• Service Records

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Thomas A. Powell	Captain of H.M.S. C 8 23 Feb, 1917 – 21 Jun, 1917	Succeeded by Dudley V. Peyton-Ward
Preceded by ?	Captain of S.M.S. UB 98 18 Dec, 1918 – 10 Feb, 1919	Succeeded by ?