Eric Percy Coventry Back
Captain Eric Percy Coventry Back, Royal Navy (5 August, 1870 – 30 December, 1915) was an officer in the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Back was born in Torquay, South Devon, the son of a Reverend S. Back of Maxstoke Vicarage. in Coleshill, Warwickshire.[1]
He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 February, 1890.[2]
Back was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1892.[3]
Back was promoted to the rank of Commander on 26 June, 1902.[4]
On 1 February, 1905, he was appointed to be executive officer in Prince George. On 1 April, she collided with the German cruiser Friedrich Carl near Gibraltar and Back was informed that he had shown a lack of judgment and had contravened Admiralty orders in opening sluice valves without orders and without first ascertaining the scope of damage. On 4 March, 1907, Prince George was paid off. In September, Back took a Signals Course.
On 30 June, 1908, Back was promoted to the rank of Captain.[5]
He was appointed in command of the cruiser King Alfred on 7 June, 1910, and became captain of Sutlej on 13 June when the flag was transferred to King Alfred.[6]
Back served as captain of Leviathan from 8 February 1911, remaining with her for two years. He married Violet Hammill in St. Faith's on 18 February, 1911. After Leviathan paid off on 13 February, 1913, Back apparently failed to return her charts in a suitable condition; Their Lordships informed him that his explanation for this deficiency was "insufficient". On 20 March, Back was appointed to Impregnable to be Flag Captain to Admiral Egerton on the Plymouth Station.[7]
Great War
Back was superseded as Flag Captain on the Plymouth Station by Captain Charles Frederick Thorp on 5 June, 1915 and appointed in command of the armoured cruiser Natal. This would prove to be his last appointment, as he died in her when she exploded on 30 December, just over six months later.[8]
Service Records
- The National Archives. ADM 196/89.
- The National Archives. ADM 196/43.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Lewis Clinton-Baker |
Captain of H.M.S. King Alfred 7 Jun, 1910[9] – 13 Jun, 1910[10] |
Succeeded by Henry M. Doughty |
| Preceded by Henry M. Doughty |
Captain of H.M.S. Sutlej 13 Jun, 1910[11][12] – 8 Feb, 1911[13] |
Succeeded by Herbert du C. Luard |
| Preceded by Arthur L. Cay |
Captain of H.M.S. Leviathan 8 Feb, 1911[14][15] – 13 Feb, 1913[16] |
Succeeded by Octavius H. Daniel |
| Preceded by Arthur L. Cay |
Flag Captain, Plymouth Station 20 Mar, 1913[17][18] – 5 Jun, 1915[19] |
Succeeded by Charles F. Thorp |
| Preceded by John F. E. Green |
Captain of H.M.S. Natal 5 Jun, 1915[20][21] – 30 Dec, 1915[22] |
Succeeded by Vessel Lost |
Footnotes
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26224. p. 5986. 17 November, 1891.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26309. p. 4187. 22 July, 1892.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 27448. p. 4198. 26 June, 1902.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28151. p. 4644. 26 June, 1908.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 30 May, 1910. Issue 39285, col C, p. 8.
Doughty Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 141. - ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 30 May, 1910. Issue 39285, col C, p. 8.
Doughty Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 141. - ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 339.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 335.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 396d.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
- ↑ Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
