Reginald Stannus Goff

Captain (retired) Reginald Stannus Goff, C.B.E., D.S.O. (27 February, 1882 – 12 November, 1965) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Southampton and raised by his mother, Goff gained seven months' time on passing out of Britannia.

Goff was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1903. In April 1905 passed exam as Interpreter in Japanese as arranged by D.N.E..

In 1905, Goff passed a preliminary test in Japanese, arranged by the D.N.E..

In 1907, he was told to exercise more caution after damaging Cynthia at Hull. On 10 February 1910, he left Cynthia for command of Garry. In June, he commenced 17 months studying Japanese on the books of Minotaur, being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1911.

Goff passed for Japanese Interpreter on 28 July, 1912.

Goff stayed on in Japan during an absence of the Naval Attache, Tokyo. Upon his return in September 1912, the Attache reported that Goff had been extremely useful and had gotten on well with his Japanese counterparts while reporting on thei naval manoeuvres. Goff commenced to find his own way home on 20 November 1912, arriving home on 24 January, 1913.

Goff was appointed in command of the destroyer Ure on 25 February, 1913.

He was appointed in command of the destroyer Garland on 25 November, 1913. He was her captain at the Battle of Jutland, operating as part of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. Goff's performance in Garland during the battle was lauded, as he had immediately reported the presence of the enemy, fired guns and torpedoes judiciously and had escorted and stood by Porpoise to ensure her safe return to the Tyne. Goff was specially promoted for the services to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1916.

Post-War

Goff was placed on the Retired List at his own request upon the expiration of his foreign service leave, that date being 11 August, 1922.

Goff was promoted to the rank of Captain on 27 February, 1927.

World War II

Surprisingly, Goff served in the European Theatre despite his uncommon command of the Japanese language. On 22 August 1939, he was appointed Consular Shipping Adviser with N.C.S. Duties Oslo. On 10 April 1940, appointed Consular Shipping Adviser with N.C.S. Duties Stockholm.

On 9 April 1941, Goff was appointed N.C.S.O. Liverpool vice Champion. On 24 June 1942, he was granted acting rank of Captain while holding that same appointment.

Goff reverted to Retired List on 4 September, 1945. He was made C.B.E. in the New Year's Honours of 1946 and in 1947 was awarded the King Haakon Liberty Cross for services rendered to Norway during the war.

See Also

• Service Records
• Fourth D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Henry R. Heathcote	Captain of H.M.S. Cynthia 11 Jun, 1907 – 10 Feb, 1910	Succeeded by Robert L. Jermain
Preceded by Percy Johnson	Captain of H.M.S. Garry 10 Feb, 1910 – 10 Jun, 1910	Succeeded by Lewis G. E. Crabbe
Preceded by Hugh Seymour	Captain of H.M.S. Ure 25 Feb, 1913 – 9 Aug, 1913	Succeeded by Evelyn H. B. L. Scrivener
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Garland 25 Nov, 1913 – c. Jun, 1916	Succeeded by David B. Nicol
Preceded by David B. Nicol	Captain of H.M.S. Peyton 8 Jul, 1916[Inference] – 14 Sep, 1916	Succeeded by Charles L. M. M. Crichton
Preceded by Cecil R. Hemans	Captain of H.M.S. Rapid 14 Sep, 1916 – 14 Nov, 1918	Succeeded by Alban T. B. Curteis
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Campbell 14 Nov, 1918 – 24 Dec, 1918	Succeeded by Philip E. V. Townshend