William Douglas Paton

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Vice-Admiral William Douglas Paton, M.V.O., D.S.O. (13 August, 1874 – 18 January, 1952) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

David Murray Anderson was his brother-in-law.[1]

Life & Career

Paton was born on 13 August, 1874 in Pulborough, son to Colonel J. Paton.[2]

Paton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 August, 1896.[3]

Paton's Decoy was lost on 13 August, 1904 after being struck by a charging H.M.S. Arun in night exercises off the Scilly Islands, losing a man. Paton, assisted in his defence by Lieutenant Hubert S. Cardale in a pair of Court Martials later that month, was cleared of blame in the incident, as the destroyers were all darkened, and Arun's captain, Reginald Tyrwhitt had not taken adequate measures to keep his division-mates apprised of his intentions.[4][5][6]

Paton was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1907.[7]

Paton was appointed in command of the destroyer Cherwell on 10 September, 1907.[8]

Paton was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1914.[9]

Paton married Gladys May Tischemake on 20 January, 1915.[10]

He was appointed in command of the light cruiser Concord on 14 November, 1916.[11] She suffered a collision with the destroyer Ostrich on 19 February, 1917, prompting a reproach that Paton should have familiarised himself with other patrols likely to be encountered in the area before sailing.[12]

On 23 May, 1917, Their Lordships expressed their appreciation for Paton's service patroling the Belgian coast in the summer of 1916. He was invested with the D.S.O. at Buckingham Palace on 7 November, 1917.[13]

Post-War

Paton commanded Erin from January 1921 until mid 1922.[14]

In May 1922, he was appointed in command of the light cruiser Calliope.

He was appointed captain of Marlborough in August of 1923.

Paton was promoted to Rear-Admiral on 1 July, 1925.[15]

Paton was placed on the Retired List on 1 January, 1928.[16]

He was advanced to Vice-Admiral on the Retired List on 2 April, 1930.[17]

Paton succumbed to coronary thrombosis in 1952.[18]

See Also

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Lawrence H. Richardson
Captain of H.M.S. Ardent
1 Apr, 1901[19][20]c. late 1902[21]
Succeeded by
Morris E. Cochrane
Preceded by
George J. Todd
Captain of H.M.S. Mallard
1 Jul, 1902[22] – 20 Oct, 1903[23]
Succeeded by
Henry R. Heathcote
Preceded by
James Creber
Captain of H.M.S. Decoy
14 Jul, 1904[24][25] – 13 Aug, 1904[26]
Succeeded by
Vessel Lost
Preceded by
William F. Benwell
Captain of H.M.S. Cherwell
10 Sep, 1907[27] – early 1910[28]
Succeeded by
Clive C. H. Maitland-Addison
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Marshal Soult
5 Sep, 1915[29] – 14 Nov, 1916[30]
Succeeded by
George R. B. Blount
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Concord
14 Nov, 1916[31] – 19 Jan, 1919[32]
Succeeded by
Walter J. C. Lake
Preceded by
Percival H. H. Thompson
Captain of H.M.S. Erin
14 Jan, 1921[33] – May, 1922[34][35]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Walter B. Compton
Captain of H.M.S. Calliope
6 May, 1922[36] – 3 Aug, 1923[37]
Succeeded by
Thomas E. Wardle
Preceded by
Hugh J. Tweedie
Captain of H.M.S. Marlborough
3 Aug, 1923[38] – Mar, 1925[39]
Succeeded by
Arthur B. S. Dutton

Footnotes

  1. Email from Charles Beer, Paton's grandson, via our contact form, 25 January, 2015.
  2. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  3. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  4. Hepper. British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era: 1860-1919. pp. 17, 18.
  5. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Aug 23, 1904; pg. 9; Issue 37480.
  6. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Wednesday, Aug 31, 1904; pg. 4; Issue 37487.
  7. The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 100.
  8. The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 293.
  9. The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 87.
  10. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  11. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 763.
  12. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  13. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  14. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  15. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  16. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  17. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  18. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  19. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  20. The Navy List. (May, 1902). p. 225.
  21. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  22. The Navy List. (May, 1903). p. 279.
  23. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  24. "Appointments for the Naval Manoeuvres." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Jul 09, 1904; pg. 12; Issue 37442.
  25. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  26. Hepper. British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era: 1860-1919. pp. 17, 18.
  27. The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 293.
  28. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  29. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  30. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  31. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 763.
  32. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  33. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  34. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  35. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  36. The Navy List. (January, 1923). p. 731.
  37. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  38. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.
  39. Paton Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/60. f. 68.