View source for Donal Scott McGrath

{{CaptRN}} '''Donal Scott McGrath''', R.N., Retired (27 August, 1891 &ndash; ) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].

==Life & Career==
McGrath was the son of a "gentleman" and passed out of the Training Establishment on 15 September, 1908, gaining one months' seniority in so doing.  He was immediately appointed to the {{UK-Russell|f=t}} in the Atlantic.  In April 1909 he was sent to Dover Fever Hospital, suffering from scarlet fever.  In July 1909, Captain [[Arthur David Ricardo|Ricardo]] wrote that McGrath was "inclined to be lazy."  In mid-January 1910 McGrath was moved to the Mediterranean, first in the {{UK-Minerva|f=t}}, and then, in August, to the {{UK-1Exmouth|f=t}} for a single month.  In mid September 1910, he was transferred to {{UK-KingEdwardVII}} in the Home Fleet, following Captain [[Allan Frederic Everett|Everett]]  to the {{UK-Hercules}} in August.  In 1911, Everett would describe McGrath as lacking energy and smartness but being a good boat handler.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

On 5 February 1913, McGrath was sent to the {{UK-Weymouth|f=t}} for seven months of Engine Room training, obtaining his certificate on 11 August.  On 16 September, he was appointed to {{UK-Lancaster}} of the {{UK-CS|4}}.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

McGrath was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 15 December, 1913.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

On 29 July, 1915, {{UK-Lancaster}} was reduced and McGrath was appointed to {{UK-Dido}} to join the {{UK-Mastiff|f=t}} on 4 August, 1915.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

On 29 January, 1917, McGrath was appointed to command {{UK-TB4}}.  On 16 September he was appointed in command of {{UK-1Foxhound}}, in which he was credited with sinking a submarine (perhaps {{DE-U87}} on Christmas Day, although {{UK-Buttercup|f=p}} was certainly involved in that sinking.  The Admiralty wrote that McGrath was to be congratulated for his initiative he displayed in making his attack.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> 

McGrath was appointed in command of the {{UK-Rosalind|f=t}} on 22 March, 1918.{{NLFeb19|p. 897}}

On 22 April, 1918 Captain (D) {{UK-DF|2}} [[John Barnes Sparks|Sparks]] wrote that he believed McGrath to be "Very capable. Keen. Believed sank enemy submarine."<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

On 2 September 1918, McGrath was scolded for sending a letter with an improper tone to the Chief Constable, Greenock regarding a matter of a box of tobacco.

==Post-War==
On 9 July 1919, {{UK-Rosalind}} damaged the Number 75 light vessel and McGrath was cautioned to be more careful in future.

In November, 1919, McGrath was appointed in command of the {{UK-Tourmaline|f=t}}.{{NLDec20|p. 876}}  In 1920, McGrath was informed that errors in the accounts of his ship would have been detected and corrected earlier if he had been providing proper supervision.

McGrath was promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 15 December, 1921.  He fractured his collar-bone soon thereafter, being admitted to Haslar Hospital for one month from 20 January, 1922.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

Upon being relieved in command of {{UK-Venomous}} in December, 1924, McGrath commenced about a month's leave in Malta.  He erred in February in breaching a customs regulation.

In 1927, McGrath was thanked for his zeal and ingenuity in fashioning a field mounting for a 2-pdr pom-pom gun.  He was recommended for special promotion by Captain (D), {{UK-DF|3}} and Commander-in-Chief, China in May, 1927 and received his promotion to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1927.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

In August, 1929, McGrath lost and damaged [[Paravane|paravanes]] from {{UK-Vanquisher|f=p}} by conducting high-speed sweeps in waters thought too shallow for the practice.  In mid 1930, he was sick on shore.  Eventually he was sent to Haslar with condition that eventually manifested itself with an abscess of his jaw.  He was discharged as fit on 25 September, but not before his condition grew so bad that the word "necrosis" was used.  This necrosis proved chronic, and McGrath was obliged to leave {{UK-Hastings}} at Karachi on 27 April, 1931 to seek further medical treatment.  He was able to return to command of the ship on 9 June.
 
In February 1932, Captain and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf [[Lewis Gonne Eyre Crabbe|Crabbe]] relieved McGrath of command of the {{UK-Bideford|f=t}}, writing that he "[s]hows complete incapacity to estimate qualities required of a Commander in a Persian Gulf Sloop."  Three months later, he amplified this by saying McGrath was "lacking in loyalty."  The intensity of these sentiments are not echoed by any other evaluations in McGrath's Service Record.  McGrath appealed to the Admiralty to complain about the adverse report and was told that they agreed that his temperament was not well-suited to work in the Persian Gulf where condition were described as "exacting".  McGrath was however reminded that the Admiralty would consider his entire service when deciding about his future in the service, and that his service was generally regarded as satisfactory.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

On 8 April, 1935, McGrath was to undergo an Decontamination Course at Titmor.  

On 22 November 1937, McGrath was admitted to Sister Agnes Nursing Home and a form M156 was sent for signature.  Whatever that meant, on 13 December, the Admiralty Medical Department was treating him for an injured finger.

==World War II==
McGrath was appointed Assistant Naval Attaché, Rio de Janeiro appointed 25 August, 1939 and then Naval Attaché from 7 May, 1940, holding the rank of Captain.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

On 5 May, 1941 he was appointed to work with the Naval Intelligence Division, holding the rank of Commander.  On 24 June, 1941 he was appointed in command of the anti-aircraft ship  [[H.M.S. Ulster Queen (1929)|H.M.S. ''Ulster Queen'']] as acting Captain.  On 27 August he was reverted to the Retired List on account of age with the rank of Captain.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

In early 1942, he incurred Their Lordships' severe displeasure by grounding vessels in Liverpool as part of convoy operations.

However, on 7 July 1942 he was appointed in command of the infantry landing ship [[H.M.S. Glengyle (1939)|H.M.S. ''Glengyle'']], serving in the rank of Captain (retired).  On 26 February, 1943 he was appointed to work with C.C.O. outside C.O.H.Q., additional.<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>

==See Also==
{{refbegin}}
* [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_rv=simple&_q=ADM+Donal+Scott+McGrath Service Records]
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donal_Scott_McGrath}}
{{refend}}

<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Frederick Ross Maxwell Johnson|Frederick R. M. Johnson]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 4 (1906)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 4]]'''<br>29 Jan, 1917<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 25 Jun, 1917<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cyril James Herbert Hill|Cyril J. H. Hill]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Pender Usticke Pender|Edward P. U. Pender]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mosquito (1910)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mosquito'']]'''<br>9 Aug, 1917<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 6 Sep, 1917<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Thomas Balfour Fellowes|Thomas B. Fellowes]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Gabbett Ashton Shuttleworth|William G. A. Shuttleworth]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Foxhound (1909)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Foxhound'']]'''<br>16 Sep, 1917<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>{{NLNov17|p. 393''w''}} &ndash; 22 Mar, 1918<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Stanley Nelson|William S. Nelson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George Herbert Knowles|George H. Knowles]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Rosalind (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Rosalind'']]'''<br>22 Mar, 1918<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>{{NLAug19|p. 897}} &ndash; Aug, 1919<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Pender Usticke Pender|Edward P. U. Pender]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Herbert Charles Found|Herbert C. Found]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Trusty (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Trusty'']]'''<br>15 Aug, 1919<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; Dec, 1919<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Austen Gerald Lilley|Austen G. Lilley]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Ignatius Hallett|John I. Hallett]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Tourmaline (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Tourmaline'']]'''<br>''c''. Dec, 1919<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; Aug, 1921<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Patrick Butter|Patrick Butter]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ralph Kerr|Ralph Kerr]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sable (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sable'']]'''<br>20 Jan, 1922<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 2 Nov, 1922<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Alexander Willock|William A. Willock]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Edward Hamond|Charles E. Hamond]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Tourmaline (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Tourmaline'']]'''<br>21 Nov, 1922<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; ''c''. 13 Dec, 1922<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref><ref>Wilkinson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49/89.|D7604188}}  f. 47.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Ralph Wilmot Wilkinson|Ralph W. Wilkinson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Richard Lloyd Hamer|Richard L. Hamer]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Tuscan (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Tuscan'']]'''<br>''c''. 13 Dec, 1922<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref><ref>Wilkinson Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/49/89.|D7604188}}  f. 47.</ref> &ndash; Mar, 1923<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Philip John Mack|Philip J. Mack]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Armstrong Binmore|Henry A. Binmore]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sportive (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sportive'']]'''<br>Mar, 1923<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; Oct, 1923<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lewes George Gardner|Lewes G. Gardner]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Lewes George Gardner|Lewes G. Gardner]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Venomous (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Venomous'']]'''<br>Oct, 1923<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; Dec, 1924<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lawrence Frederick Nelson Ommanney|Lawrence F. N. Ommanney]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ivan Beale Colvin|Ivan B. Colvin]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Whirlwind (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Whirlwind'']]'''<br>5 May, 1925<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 1 Feb, 1926<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Gerald Morell McKenna|Gerald M. McKenna]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Austen Gerald Lilley|Austen G. Lilley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Wanderer (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Wanderer'']]'''<br>1 Feb, 1926<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 5 Aug, 1926<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert Alexander Cassidi|Robert A. Cassidi]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Gage Stuart|Charles G. Stuart]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Wild Swan (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Wild Swan'']]'''<br>5 Aug, 1926<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 10 Sep, 1926<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Gage Stuart|Charles G. Stuart]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Gage Stuart|Charles G. Stuart]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Woolston (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Woolston'']]'''<br>10 Sep, 1926<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 1927<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Gage Stuart|Charles G. Stuart]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Louis Henry Keppel Hamilton|Louis H. K. Hamilton]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Wanderer (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Wanderer'']]'''<br>Mar, 1927{{NLJul27|p. 286}}<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; Dec, 1927<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Maurice James Hutton|Reginald M. J. Hutton]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ralph Kerr|Ralph Kerr]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Seawolf (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Seawolf'']]'''<br>11 Dec, 1928{{NLFeb29|p. 268}}<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 4 Jun, 1929<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Herbert Masterman Hughes|Herbert M. Hughes]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Austen Gerald Lilley|Austen G. Lilley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Vanquisher (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Vanquisher'']]'''<br>Jun, 1929<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 31 Oct, 1929<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Hector Creswell|George H. Creswell]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alastair Gordon Davidson|Alastair G. Davidson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Viceroy (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Viceroy'']]'''<br>1 Nov, 1929<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; Nov, 1929<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Maurice Mansfield|John M. Mansfield]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hastings (1930)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hastings'']]'''<br>17 Oct, 1930<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 17 Jan, 1932<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Percy Frank Pilkington Wood|Percy F. P. Wood]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Percy Frank Pilkington Wood|Percy F. P. Wood]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Bideford (1931)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Bideford'']]'''<br>17 Jan, 1932<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 9 Apr, 1932<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Conyngham Denison|Edward C. Denison]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Harold Thomas Coulthard Walker|Harold T. C. Walker]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Canterbury (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Canterbury'']]'''<br>14 Nov, 1932<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 29 Dec, 1932<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Harrington Robley|Harrington Robley]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[Naval Attaché (Royal Navy)|Assistant Naval Attaché to Rio de Janeiro]]'''<br>23 Aug, 1939<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 7 May, 1940<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[Naval Attaché (Royal Navy)|Naval Attaché to Rio de Janeiro]]'''<br>7 May, 1940<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref> &ndash; 5 May, 1941<ref>McGrath Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/53/96.|D7605507}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alan Holt Davies|Alan H. Davies]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Adventure (1924)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Adventure'']]'''<br>27 Apr, 1945{{UBAllyWarship|1267}} &ndash; mid 1945{{UBAllyWarship|1267}}|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts>

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McGrath, Donal}}

{{CatPerson|UK|1891|}}
{{CatCapt|UK}}
{{CatTrainEst|January, 1904}}
{{CatRN}}