Harold Scott Gillett

Commander (retired) Harold Scott Gillett (20 January, 1883 – ) was an officer in the Royal Navy who entered from the Supplementary List of lieutenants. He was noted as being "popular".

Life & Career

Gillett appears not to have come through Britannia, but started as a Lieutenant on the Supplementary List, becoming such on 1 April, 1913.

Great War

Gillett was appointed to Landrail on 8 June, 1914, to join her upon her commissioning. He was found to be to blame for a collision between his ship and Undaunted on 24 February, 1915 when he found himself in temporary command due to Lieutenant-Commander Bruce Lloyd-Owen being sick on shore at the time wrestling with a developing case of nephritis. Gillett's conduct in dealing with the consequences of the collision, however, elicited praise from the Admiralty.

He remained in Landrail until 10 June, 1916 when he was appointed to assume command the patrol boat P16 upon her commissioning.

Gillett grounded Exe on 27 November, 1917 when weighing anchor and was found to be alone to blame for not realizing how close his stern was to shore at the time.

Interbellum

Lieutenant Gillett was appointed in command of the destroyer Skate in August, 1920, and for a Reserve Group of destroyers.

Gillett was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 1 April, 1921.

Noted by Captain William as having logged a heavy wine bill despite not appearing himself to be much of a drinker, Gillett was placed on the Retired List at his own request with the rank of Commander on 1 June, 1924.

World War II

Gillett served as R.N.O., Seaham for nineteen months from 28 May, 1940. A series of other shore-based duties followed. Reverted to the Retired List on 26 March, 1945.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. P18 10 Jun, 1916 – 16 Aug, 1917	Succeeded by Frank C. Peet
Preceded by Lawrence F. N. Ommanney	Captain of H.M.S. Exe 16 Aug, 1917 – 9 Dec, 1917	Succeeded by Wesson C. H. Jones
Preceded by Edward B. Hoyle	Captain of H.M.S. Azalea 2 Sep, 1918 – Apr, 1919	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Roy N. Suter	Captain of H.M.S. Ceanothus May, 1919 – 22 Mar, 1920	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Joseph B. Newill	Captain of H.M.S. Trojan 21 Jun, 1920 – 23 Jul, 1920	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Lionel G. Foote	Captain of H.M.S. Skate Aug, 1920 – 22 Feb, 1922	Succeeded by Bertie M. McDonald
Preceded by Reginald Nash	Captain of H.M.S. Tyrant Aug, 1920	Succeeded by Godfrey R. Chambers