George Devereux Belben
Captain George Devereux Belben, D.S.C., A.M., D.S.O. (14 May, 1897 – 18 February, 1944) served in the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
The son of merchant George Belben, Esq..
In August 1914, Belden was appointed as to the heavy cruiser Cumberland, then to the Challenger and finally, in March 1915, the second class protected cruiser Astræa, which was operating off the West Coast of Africa. He was mentioned in a report by the Senior Naval Officer, Duala, for his work in the successful landing of levies through heavy surf. Much of this is illegible in his Service Record.[1]
In July 1915, he was appointed to the battleship Canada before being appointed to the Penelope of the Harwich Force in August, 1916.[2]
He served in the blockship Thetis at the Zeebrugge Raid, and was responsible for seeing the men off after the ship's senior officers had been killed or incapacitated.[3]
Belben was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 July, 1918. This was advanced to 15 February, 1918 in recognition of his Zeebrugge performance.[4]
Belben was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 February, 1926.[5]
In 1930-31, he served as first Lieutenant Commander in H.M.S. Renown.[6]
Belben was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1931.[7]
Commander Belben was appointed to the battleship Nelson as Fleet Gunnery Officer, vice Bellars, dated 15 November, 1933.[8][9]
World War II
Belben was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1939. He was killed in action on 18 February, 1944 while in command of the light cruiser Penelope when she was lost to a torpedo attack by U 410.[10]
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Edward G. H. Bellars |
Fleet Gunnery Officer, Home Fleet 15 Nov, 1933[11] – 17 Apr, 1934[Inference] |
Succeeded by Eric G. Jeffery |
| Preceded by Percy Todd |
Captain of H.M.S. Wishart 10 Oct, 1934 – Nov, 1934[Inference] |
Succeeded by Derek B. Wyburd |
| Preceded by Louis F. A. V. N. Mountbatten |
Captain of H.M.S. Daring c. late Nov, 1934 – 8 Jun, 1935 |
Succeeded by Geoffrey Barnard |
| Preceded by Cecil B. Turner |
Captain of H.M.S. Ardent c. late May, 1936[12] |
Succeeded by Godfrey N. Brewer |
| Preceded by John W. Grant |
Captain of H.M.S. Penelope 10 Aug, 1942[13] – 18 Feb, 1944[14] |
Succeeded by Vessel Lost |
Footnotes
- ↑ Belben Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/133. f. 133.
- ↑ "Fleet Gunnery Officer." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Nov 14, 1933; pg. 19; Issue 46601.
- ↑ "Fleet Gunnery Officer." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Nov 14, 1933; pg. 19; Issue 46601.
- ↑ Belben Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/133. f. 133.
- ↑ Belben Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/133. f. 133.
- ↑ "Fleet Gunnery Officer." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Nov 14, 1933; pg. 19; Issue 46601.
- ↑ Belben Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/133. f. 133.
- ↑ "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), Friday, Oct 13, 1933; pg. 21; Issue 46574.
- ↑ "Fleet Gunnery Officer." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Nov 14, 1933; pg. 19; Issue 46601.
- ↑ Belben Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/119/133. f. 133.
- ↑ "Fleet Gunnery Officer." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Nov 14, 1933; pg. 19; Issue 46601.
- ↑ "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), Friday, May 08, 1936; pg. 10; Issue 47369.
- ↑ Uboat.net page on the ship.
- ↑ Uboat.net page on the ship.
