James Alexander Pollard Blackburn

Commander (retired) James Alexander Pollard Blackburn, D.S.C., (12 August, 1889 – ) was an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve and in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Blackburn entered the Royal Navy from the Royal Naval Reserve.

Blackburn was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 20 July, 1915.

Blackburn served in the G 13 from 27 September 1916 to 24 May, 1918.

On 28 December, 1918, Blackburn was temporarily appointed in command of the surrendered German cruiser submarine Template:DE-U155, the former cargo submarine Deutschland. He left her when he was appointed to command E 33 on 4 April, 1919.

Blackburn commanded Frederich Bush from 15 May until 7 August 1919, when he was again placed in command of E 33.

Blackburn was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 20 July, 1923.

Blackburn was promoted to the rank of Commander on 20 August, 1933.

World War II

After taking a course on Armed Merchant Cruisers, Blackburn was appointed to the armed cruiser Jervis Bay for gunnery dities, vice Round, on 27 November, 1939. He was appointed in command of Jervis Bay, temporarily vice Harris, on 12 February, 1940. He was superseded in this role on 4 October, 1940.

Blackburn was appointed in command of the armed cruiser Voltaire vice Bate on 21 September, 1940. He survived her sinking on 4 April, 1941 and was taken prisoner of war.

See Also

• Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Kenneth M. Wilkinson	Captain of H.M.S. C 24 3 Jul, 1918 – 28 Dec, 1918	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Eric B. Tod	Captain of H.M.S. E 33 4 Apr, 1919 – 15 May, 1919	Succeeded by James A. P. Blackburn
Preceded by James A. P. Blackburn	Captain of H.M.S. E 33 19 Apr, 1920 – 21 Jun, 1921	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Theodore F. A. Voysey	Captain of H.M.S. L 6 21 Jun, 1921 – 19 Nov, 1921	Succeeded by Thomas Yeoman
Preceded by Edward G. Stanley	Captain of H.M.S. L 56 19 Nov, 1921 – 20 Sep, 1923	Succeeded by John G. Sutton
Preceded by Edward C. Thornton	Captain of H.M.S. Carstairs 25 Nov, 1925 – 25 Nov, 1927	Succeeded by Walter F. Smithwick
Preceded by Arthur G. Harris	Captain of H.M.S. Jervis Bay 12 Feb, 1940 – 4 Oct, 1940	Succeeded by Edward S. F. Fegen
Preceded by Claude L. Bate	Captain of H.M.S. Voltaire 21 Sep, 1940 – 4 Apr, 1941	Succeeded by Vessel Lost