David James Robert Simson

Captain David James Robert Simson (7 September, 1892 – 23 May, 1940) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of a barrister, Simson gained one month's time on passing out of the Training Establishment.

Simson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 January, 1915.

Simson was appointed in command of the destroyer Usk on 17 March, 1918.

He was appointed in command of the destroyer Hind in November, 1918.

In January, 1920, Simson was appointed in command of the destroyer Spear.

Simson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 January, 1923.

Simson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1928.

Simson was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1936.

Simson was appointed to the netlayer Protector on 11 December, 1936, to assume command upon her commissioning. A Court of Enquiry assigned some blame to Simson for H.M.S. Hood having straddled H.M.S. Protector during full calibre firing on 30 June, 1937. He was told by C-in-C Mediterranean that he was expected to exercise greater initiative in future.

Simson was appointed in command of the destroyer Keith on 15 February, 1940. Simson died in Keith on 23 May, 1940.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Eric P. Vivian	Captain of H.M.S. Usk 17 Mar, 1918 – Nov, 1918	Succeeded by Basil A. Taylor
Preceded by Edmund Johnstone	Captain of H.M.S. Hind Nov, 1918 – 9 Jul, 1919	Succeeded by Harold P. Keeley
Preceded by Harold P. Keeley	Captain of H.M.S. Martin 10 Jul, 1919 – Jan, 1920	Succeeded by Francis W. Craven
Preceded by Francis W. Craven	Captain of H.M.S. Spear Jan, 1920 – 20 Mar, 1922	Succeeded by Thomas B. Fellowes
Preceded by Thomas B. Fellowes	Captain of H.M.S. Torch 1 Apr, 1924 – 3 Dec, 1924	Succeeded by Alfred C. Collinson
Preceded by Vernon Hammersley-Heenan	Captain of H.M.S. Venturous 3 Dec, 1924 – 23 Nov, 1925	Succeeded by Ivan B. Colvin
Preceded by Paul F. P. Berryman	Captain of H.M.S. Senator 23 Nov, 1925 – 11 Dec, 1925	Succeeded by Reginald B. C. Hutchinson
Preceded by John D. Harvey	Captain of H.M.S. Wren 30 Jun, 1928 – 15 Aug, 1928	Succeeded by Jack G. Bickford
Preceded by Renfrew Gotto	Captain of H.M.S. Sturdy 26 Mar, 1931 – 27 Apr, 1931	Succeeded by William G. Davis
Preceded by Brownlow V. Layard	Captain of H.M.S. Searcher 27 Apr, 1931 – 17 Jun, 1931	Succeeded by Eric P. Vivian
Preceded by Graham H. Stokes	Captain of H.M.S. Scotsman 17 Jun, 1931 – 31 Oct, 1931	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by George H. Creswell	Captain of H.M.S. Vanquisher 31 Oct, 1931 – 27 Apr, 1932	Succeeded by John Bostock
Preceded by Eldred S. Brooksmith	Captain of H.M.S. Valorous 27 Apr, 1932 – 6 Jan, 1934	Succeeded by Cecil C. Hughes-Hallett
Preceded by Cyril H. G. Benson	Captain of H.M.S. Cumberland 18 Feb, 1935 – 1 Jul, 1935	Succeeded by John C. Leach
Preceded by Trevor St. V. F. Tyler	Captain of H.M.S. Thanet 1 Jul, 1935 – 23 Jul, 1935	Succeeded by John Mowlam
Preceded by Ernest R. Archer	Captain of H.M.S. Vivien 6 Sep, 1935 – 18 Jan, 1936	Succeeded by Hugh Gartside-Tippinge
Preceded by Matthew S. Slattery	Captain of H.M.S. Winchelsea 18 Jan, 1936 – 18 May, 1936	Succeeded by John G. Hewitt
Preceded by Charles M. Blackman	Captain of H.M.S. Douglas 31 Jul, 1936 – 11 Dec, 1936	Succeeded by William D. Stephens
Preceded by Philip Louis Vian	Captain (D), Nineteenth Destroyer Flotilla Aug, 1939 – 26 Nov, 1939	Succeeded by Casper S. B. Swinley
Preceded by Thomas B. Hill	Captain of H.M.S. Codrington 24 Aug, 1939 – 26 Nov, 1939	Succeeded by Casper S. B. Swinley
Preceded by Casper S. B. Swinley	Captain (D), Nineteenth Destroyer Flotilla 3 Feb, 1940 – 27 May, 1940	Succeeded by Edward L. Berthon
Preceded by Henry T. W. Pawsey	Captain of H.M.S. Keith 15 Feb, 1940 – 23 May, 1940	Succeeded by Edward L. Berthon