Francis Riou Baxter

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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

  1. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  2. "Naval And Military. Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 30, 1910; pg. 5; Issue 39260.
  3. The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 6.
  4. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  5. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  6. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  7. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  8. Mackinnon Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/45/228. f. 232.
  9. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  10. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  11. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  12. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 823.
  13. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  14. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  15. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  16. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  17. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  18. The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 273.
  19. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  20. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  21. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.
  22. Baxter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/55/137. f. 137.