Lionel George Foote

Commander Lionel George Foote (29 November, 1885 – 15 July, 1942) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Son of A. Foote, Esq. J.P., a landed proprietor.

Foote was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1907. He qualified as signal lieutenant in November, 1909. His next appointment was in Isis from 4 January, 1910 until he received his first signals appointment on 5 October 1910 to the battleship Bulwark, where he would serve as flag lieutenant to Vice-Admiral George Neville of the Third and Fourth Divisions of the Home Fleet. Neville would praise Foote's physique and judgment in his final report when Foote would be superseded on 24 March, 1911, having spent his last month with additional signal duties on the Nore Sub Division.

His first command appointment, in the "C" Class destroyer Ostrich, lasted just ten days. He was found at fault for a collision with an ash boat, but no negligence was attributed – his inexperience and the weather were largely to blame.

He was appointed to the battleship Russell as flag lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Commanding, Sixth Battle Squadron Stuart Nicholson on 5 December, 1913. Nicholson would find him a valued subordinate, taking Foote along as his own career placed him in various ships and commands. Foote would serve with him well into the war.

Great War

Foote followed Nicholson to Prince of Wales on 20 March 1915 and then to Exmouth on 4 June, 1915. Foote was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1915. In April, 1916, Foote followed Nicholson to England where he would become his Flag Lieutenant-Commander when he hoist his flag as Vice-Admiral Commanding, East Coast of England.

On 19 October, 1916, Foote finally parted ways from Vice-Admiral Nicholson. On the 25th, he was appointed in command of the destroyer Hope. He would remain there for almost a year until being temporarily placed in command of Laertes in August, 1917.

Foote was appointed in command of the destroyer Oracle on 16 October, 1917.

Interbellum

Foote was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1919.

In August, 1920, he was appointed in command of the destroyer Torbay.

Foote was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 26 October, 1922.

World War II

A report from the British Consul in Funchal (?) in 1940 said that Foote was unsuitable as he was continuously under the influence of alcohol. He was to be sent home without relief.

His death was reported in the Times on 18 July, 1942.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Herbert F. Littledale	Captain of H.M.S. Ostrich 20 Oct, 1911 – 30 Oct, 1911	Succeeded by Evelyn H. B. L. Scrivener
Preceded by Arthur G. Onslow	Captain of H.M.S. Hope 25 Oct, 1916 – 9 Aug, 1917	Succeeded by Colin A. G. Hutchison
Preceded by Henry Haire-Forster	Captain of H.M.S. Laertes 15 Aug, 1917 – 4 Oct, 1917	Succeeded by Herbert Owen
Preceded by Arthur G. Tippet	Captain of H.M.S. Oracle 8 Oct, 1917 – 23 Jul, 1919	Succeeded by Cuthbert P. Blake
Preceded by Cuthbert P. Blake	Captain of H.M.S. Taurus 23 Jul, 1919 – 8 Oct, 1919	Succeeded by John I. Hallett
Preceded by Arthur R. Farquhar	Captain of H.M.S. Trinidad 8 Oct, 1919 – 31 Dec, 1919	Succeeded by Joseph H. L. Yorke
Preceded by Ralph G. H. Izat	Captain of H.M.S. Skate 12 Apr, 1920	Succeeded by Harold S. Gillett
Preceded by Charles L. Evan-Thomas	Captain of H.M.S. Saladin 21 Jun, 1920	Succeeded by Philip G. Wodehouse
Preceded by Lawrence D'O. Bignell	Captain of H.M.S. Torbay Aug, 1920	Succeeded by Victor G. Brodeur as Captain of H.M.C.S. Champlain