Francis Riou Baxter
Captain (retired) Francis Riou Baxter, C.B.E., R.N. (5 July, 1893 – ) was an officer in the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Baxter was the son of Ernest Baxter, Esquire and "gentleman".[1]
Baxter passed out of Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in April, 1910 ranked 18th of 77 cadets in marks on the Part I examination.[2]
On 15 January, 1911, Baxter was made a Midshipman.[3]
Great War
Baxter was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 January, 1916.[4]
Baxter was appointed Lieutenant in Command of the destroyer Jed on 22 April, 1918, remaining with her through the end of the war.
Post-War
An appointment to Versatile was truncated by illness on 16 January, 1920. In August, he was sent to H.M.S. Vivid to train youths in "E Block", followed by unpaid time. New work found him on 1 September, 1922, when he was appointed to the battleship Resolution, staying with her for two years.[5]
Baxter was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 January, 1924.[6]
Baxter was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1929. On 1 October, 1930, he was appointed to the aircraft carrier Hermes to serve as executive officer under Captain Edmond J. G. Mackinnon, who did not get along with his Commander, writing of Baxter, "My relations with him have not been happy; he has too great an idea of his self importance & has not always shewn tact & consideration toward me. Social qualities below average." This criticism was countered by a remark from Admiral Kelly that "I entirely disagree with the opinion about Cdr. Baxter's social qualities, which are definately above average."[7] As a result, Their Lordships explicitly made know that they "[did] not concur with Captain Mackinnon's opinions."[8]
Following Mackinnon's departure from Hermes, Baxter was able to record some time in temporary command of the ship during an absence before Mackinnon's replacement, Captain Mackenzie, assumed command.[9]
Baxter was mentioned in despatches for his work in saving part of the crew of the Japanese steamer S.S. Ryujin Maru which was stranded near Turnabout Island on 31 November, 1931.[10]
World War II
Baxter was placed on the Retired List on account of age with the rank of Captain on 5 July, 1943, having been hospitalised for gout the previous year. He must have been summoned in some manner thereafter, as it is noted that he reverted to the Retired List on 11 December, 1945.[11]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Richard E. Hollings |
Captain of H.M.S. Jed 22 Apr, 1918[12][13] – 6 Feb, 1919[14] |
Succeeded by ? |
| Preceded by Edmond J. G. Mackinnon |
Captain of H.M.S. Hermes 27 Dec, 1931[15] |
Succeeded by William B. Mackenzie |
| Preceded by The Hon. Oswald W. Cornwallis |
Captain of H.M.S. Scarborough 19 Nov, 1935[16] – 27 Nov, 1935[17] |
Succeeded by Francis R. Baxter |
| Preceded by Francis R. Baxter |
Captain of H.M.S. Scarborough 18 Dec, 1935[18] |
Succeeded by Edward F. B. Law |
| Preceded by John F. H. Sawyer |
Captain of H.M.S. Despatch 7 Mar, 1938[19] – 7 Apr, 1938[20] |
Succeeded by Pelham A. Maitland |
| Preceded by John H. Venville |
Captain of H.M.S. Cairo 7 Apr, 1938[21] – 4 May, 1938[22] |
Succeeded by Oswald W. Cornwallis |
Footnotes
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ "Naval And Military. Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 30, 1910; pg. 5; Issue 39260.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 6.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Mackinnon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/228. f. 232.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 823.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 273.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
- ↑ Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
