George James Todd

Rear-Admiral (retired) George James Todd, D.S.O., R.N. (14 May, 1874 – 7 March, 1927) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Todd was the son of a reverend. He gained seven months' time on passing out of Britannia in December, 1889 and being appointed to the turret ship Dreadnought in the Mediterranean on 15 January, 1890.

Todd was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1896.

Todd was appointed in command of H.M.S. Woodcock on the China Station on 4 April, 1905. He was superseded on 20 June, 1907.

Todd was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1907.

Todd commanded the third class protected cruiser Amethyst from the turn of 1915. On 14 March at 4.10am she was hit by shore batteries , killing twenty-two of her crew wounding thirty-eight while knocking out the steering gear and engine room telegraphs. Todd quickly arranged hand steering and ad hoc communication to extricate his ship from danger. Later, he and his senior Lieutenant James Cantrell Johnstone Soutter were mentioned in despatches.

Todd was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1915.

Todd was appointed in command of the light cruiser H.M.S. Bristol on 10 March, 1916. On 6 June 1916, he was gazetted for receiving the Crown of Italy (Cdr.). Todd would command Bristol during the Battle of the Strait of Otranto on 14–15 May 1917. He was awarded a D.S.O. for his services in that action. On 6 April, 1918, he was gazetted the Italian Silver Medal for Military Valour.

Post-War

Todd's command of H.M.S. Bristol extended to 1 February, 1920 on which date he was appointed in command of the Coastal Motor Boat base H.M.S. Osea. Following a brief respite after leaving this post in mid 1921, he attended a Senior Officers' Technical Course in Portsmouth before being placed on the Retired List at his own request on 3 July, 1922.

Todd was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on the Retired List on 8 July, 1926.

He died in Edinburgh on 7 March 1927.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Hugh P. Buckle	Captain of H.M.S. Mallard 2 Apr, 1902 – c. May, 1902	Succeeded by William D. Paton
Preceded by Robert G. D. Dewar	Captain of H.M.S. Cygnet c. May, 1902[Inference] – 20 Jun, 1903	Succeeded by George J. Todd
Preceded by R. C. Kemble Lambert	Captain of H.M.S. Bruizer 20 Jun, 1903 – 6 Oct, 1903	Succeeded by William H. H. S. Thomson
Preceded by George J. Todd	Captain of H.M.S. Cygnet 6 Oct, 1903 – 2 Jul, 1904	Succeeded by William F. Benwell
Preceded by Douglas E. R. Brownrigg	Captain of H.M.S. Coquette 2 Jul, 1904 – Dec, 1904	Succeeded by Fitzroy H. Hall
Preceded by Wilfred Henderson	Captain of H.M.S. Recruit 3 Jan, 1905 – 14 Mar, 1905	Succeeded by John Nicholas
Preceded by Rupert S. Gwatkin-Williams	Captain of H.M.S. Seal 14 Mar, 1909 – Aug, 1910	Succeeded by Wilfred A. Thompson
Preceded by Wilfred A. Thompson	Captain of H.M.S. Teviot 23 Aug, 1910 – 10 Jun, 1911	Succeeded by Gerald C. Harrison
Preceded by Guy L. Sclater	Captain of H.M.S. Euryalus 16 Nov, 1911 – 19 Dec, 1911	Succeeded by William G. A. Kennedy
Preceded by Henry F. G. Talbot	Captain of H.M.S. Prince George 30 Jul, 1914 – 7 Aug, 1914	Succeeded by Alexander V. Campbell
Preceded by Bertram S. Thesiger	Captain of H.M.S. Amethyst 2 Jan, 1915 – 10 Mar, 1916	Succeeded by Edward Unwin
Preceded by Basil H. Fanshawe	Captain of H.M.S. Bristol 10 Mar, 1916 – 1 Feb, 1920	Succeeded by Charles L. Brendon
Preceded by Wilfred F. French	In Command, Osea Naval Base 1 Feb, 1920 – 13 Jun, 1921	Succeeded by ?