Henry Holland Torlesse

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Captain Henry Holland Torlesse (17 July, 1858 – 26 December, 1911) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

In July, 1871, Torlesse was ranked second in order of merit of two candidates accepted as Navigating Cadets following the entrance examinations.[1]

Torlesse was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1882.[2] I am guessing he is the younger brother of Arthur Ward Torlesse.

He married Nina Alice Roberts on 6 December, 1888.[3]

He was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1896.[4]

Torlesse was promoted to the rank of Captain on 26 June, 1902.[5]

In May 1905, he assumed command of the second class protected cruiser Bonaventure. In March 1906, he became Captain of the armoured cruiser Bedford, remaining until November.

In December 1906, Torlesse started a brief stint as captain of armoured cruiser Leviathan, moving in February, 1907, to assume command of battleship Victorious through June 1908.

He was appointed in command of the battlecruiser Inflexible on 1 June, 1908.[6]

He was made Captain Superintendent of Sheerness Royal Dockyard on 15 December, 1909.[7] In March, 1911, he was faulted for allowing an appreciable discharge of petrol from submarines C 1 and C 4 and was incurred "severe displeasure", later softened by mitigating circumstances or explanations.[8]

As he was being superseded at Sheerness, he was granted two weeks sick leave. His condition was severe, and he was ordered to a naval hospital or to one in London. He died on 26 December, 1911 at 29 St. Ronan's Road, Southsea.[9]

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Captain H. H. Torlesse, R.N." (Obituaries). The Times. Thursday, 28 December, 1911. Issue 39780, col B, p. 7.

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
James E. C. Goodrich
Captain of H.M.S. Bonaventure
1 May, 1905[10] – 7 May, 1906[11]
Succeeded by
Frank Brandt
Preceded by
Charles H. Robertson
Captain of H.M.S. Bedford
21 May, 1906[12] – 6 Nov, 1906[13]
Succeeded by
Drury St. A. Wake
Preceded by
Henry R. Robinson
Captain of H.M.S. Aboukir
6 Nov, 1906[14] – 3 Dec, 1906[15]
Succeeded by
Robert J. Prendergast
Preceded by
Robert J. Prendergast
Captain of H.M.S. Leviathan
3 Dec, 1906[16] – 22 Feb, 1907[17]
Succeeded by
William O. Boothby
Preceded by
Edgar G. H. Gamble
Captain of H.M.S. Victorious
22 Feb, 1907[18] – 1 Jun, 1908[19]
Succeeded by
John A. Tuke
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Inflexible
1 Jun, 1908[20][21] – 14 Dec, 1909[22]
Succeeded by
Charles L. Napier
Preceded by
Robert H. Johnston Stewart
Captain Superintendent, Sheerness Dockyard
15 Dec, 1909[23][24] – 17 Nov, 1911[25]
Succeeded by
Robert J. Prendergast

Footnotes

  1. "Naval Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Jul 04, 1871; pg. 12; Issue 27106.
  2. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1318.
  3. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1318.
  4. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1318.
  5. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1318.
  6. Roberts. Battlecruisers. p. 122.
  7. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Wednesday, 10 November, 1909. Issue 39113, col A, p. 4.
  8. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  9. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  10. The Navy List. (November, 1905). p. 285.
  11. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  12. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  13. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  14. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  15. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  16. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  17. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  18. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  19. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  20. Roberts. Battlecruisers. p. 122.
  21. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  22. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  23. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Wednesday, 10 November, 1909. Issue 39113, col A, p. 4.
  24. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.
  25. Torlesse Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/39. f. 1314.