Charles George Rodney Phillott

Lieutenant Charles George Rodney Phillott, R.N. (11 June, 1891 – 26 December, 1915) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of G. H. Phillott.

He first served in Albemarle and London before being appointed to the armoured cruiser Duke of Edinburgh on 18 August, 1910.

He was left sick ashore from Duke of Edinburgh. He trained in Engine Room in late 1912, and in January 1913 received instruction in submarines. On 21 April, he was appointed to Bonaventure for submarines. This likely meant service in one one of the "C" class boats of the Sixth Submarine Flotilla.

Phillott was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 15 May, 1914.

With Lieutenant Ruck-Keene, he jointly invented a fuse that could function by either direct impact or by delayed action. With Assistant Paymaster Clarence Teasdale-Buckell, Phillott invented a telescope for the purpose of seeing submarine periscopes at long range. The telescope was taken under trial. He also invented with Teasdale-Buckell a device to protect ships against mines. This invention was promising enough that his estate would later be awarded a prize for its development.

He was appointed to Maidstone for the submarine E 6 of the Eighth Submarine Flotilla on 13 February, 1915, and died when she was lost in a minefield on 26 December of that year.