Percy Withers: Difference between revisions

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==Life & Career==
==Life & Career==
Withers entered the navy with the [[:Category:H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship) Entrants of July, 1889|July 1889]] intake term at the {{UK-1Britannia|f=tp}}, scoring lowest of 48 candidates on entry with 871 marks.<ref>"Cadetships In The Navy."  ''The Times'' (London, England), Thursday, Jun 27, 1889; pg. 11; Issue 32736.</ref>
Withers was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 14 June, 1897.<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>
Withers was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 14 June, 1897.<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>


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He was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1915.
He was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1915.


Withers was appointed in command of the {{UK-Active|f=t}} in April 1916, and fought in her at the [[Battle of Jutland]].  
Withers was appointed in command of the {{UK-1Active|f=t}} in April 1916, and fought in her at the [[Battle of Jutland]].  


In July, 1920, Withers had hepatitis and enteritis while Commodore in Hong Kong.  A series of wires sent home indicate an appendectomy and arduous recovery.  At the end of the year, he was sent home in S.S. ''Bremen'', arriving home on 18 February, 1921.  He would be evaluated several times and not be found fit before 7 June.<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>
In July, 1920, Withers had hepatitis and enteritis while Commodore in Hong Kong.  A series of wires sent home indicate an appendectomy and arduous recovery.  At the end of the year, he was sent home in S.S. ''Bremen'', arriving home on 18 February, 1921.  He would be evaluated several times and not be found fit before 7 June.<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>
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==See Also==
==See Also==
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==Bibliography==
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<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Stafford Houseman|Edward S. Houseman]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 73 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 73]]'''<br>8 Jul, 1896<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; before 18 Aug, 1896<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Evan Bruce-Gardyne, Thirteenth Laird of Middleton|Evan Bruce-Gardyne]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Hugh Keith Arbuthnot|Hugh K. Arbuthnot]]'''|'''[[H.M. T.B. 73 (1885)|Captain of H.M. T.B. 73]]'''<br>8 Jul, 1896<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; before 18 Aug, 1896<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Ivor Francis Chichester|Ivor F. Chichester]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alan Ramsay Dewar|Alan R. Dewar]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Foyle (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Foyle'']]'''<br>25 Feb, 1909<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 1 Jun, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Roger Vincent Alison|Roger V. Alison]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Cyril Asser|Cyril Asser]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Foyle (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Foyle'']]'''<br>25 Feb, 1909{{NLJan10|p. 319}}<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 1 Jun, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Chalker Durrant Field|Henry C. D. Field]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet|Walter H. Cowan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Kennet (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Kennet'']]'''<br>1 Jun, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 25 Nov, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Frederick Ballard|Charles F. Ballard]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Chalker Durrant Field|Henry C. D. Field]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Kennet (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Kennet'']]'''<br>1 Jun, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 25 Nov, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Matthew King|Richard M. King]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cameleon (1910)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cameleon'']]'''<br>25 Nov, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 19 Sep, 1911<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Donnison Roper|Charles D. Roper]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cameleon (1910)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cameleon'']]'''<br>25 Nov, 1910<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>{{NLApr11|p. 291}} &ndash; 19 Sep, 1911<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hugh Justin Tweedie|Hugh J. Tweedie]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Cyril Samuel Townsend|Cyril S. Townsend]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Active (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Active'']]'''<br>3 Apr, 1916{{NLDec16|p. 391''b''}} &ndash; Dec, 1916<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Kerrison Kiddle|Kerrison Kiddle]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Rose Price Hawksley|James R. P. Hawksley]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Active (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Active'']]'''<br>3 Apr, 1916{{NLDec16|p. 391''b''}} &ndash; Dec, 1916<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Neston William Diggle|Neston W. Diggle]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Donnison Roper|Charles D. Roper]]'''|'''[[Fourth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Fourth Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>6 Jul, 1916<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 7 Jan, 1917<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Edmund Wood|Arthur E. Wood]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Donnison Roper|Charles D. Roper]]'''|'''[[Fourth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Fourth Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>6 Jul, 1916<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 7 Jan, 1917<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Edmund Wood|Arthur E. Wood]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Edmund Wood|Arthur E. Wood]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hecla (1878)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hecla'']]'''<br>Dec, 1916<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 7 Jan, 1917<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Barnes Sparks|John B. Sparks]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Edmund Wood|Arthur E. Wood]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hecla (1878)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hecla'']]'''<br>Dec, 1916<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 7 Jan, 1917<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Barnes Sparks|John B. Sparks]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Duncan Johnson|Charles D. Johnson]]'''|'''[[Sixth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>7 Jan, 1917<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 10 Jan, 1918<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Spencer Leveson-Gower, Fourth Earl Granville|The Hon. William S. Leveson-Gower]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Duncan Johnson|Charles D. Johnson]]'''|'''[[Sixth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>7 Jan, 1917<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 10 Jan, 1918<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Tomkinson|Wilfred Tomkinson]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Humphrey Thomas Walwyn|Hugh T. Walwyn]]'''|'''[[Department of the Director of Naval Equipment|Assistant Director of Naval Equipment]]'''<br>10 Jan, 1918<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 7 May, 1919<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Alan Geoffrey Hotham|Alan G. Hotham]]'''|'''[[Department of the Director of Naval Equipment|Assistant Director of Naval Equipment]]'''<br>10 Jan, 1918<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 7 May, 1919<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Claud Hamilton Sinclair|Claud H. Sinclair]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Colombo (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Colombo'']]'''<br>7 May, 1919{{NLOct20|p. 748}}<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; after Dec, 1919<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Casper Boucher Ballard|Casper B. Ballard]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Colombo (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Colombo'']]'''<br>7 May, 1919{{NLOct20|p. 748}}<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref> &ndash; after Dec, 1919<ref>Withers Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/44.|D7602912}} f. 141.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Arthur Horace Walker|Arthur H. Walker]]'''}}
{{TabEnd}}
{{TabEnd}}
</div name=fredbot:appts>
</div name=fredbot:appts>
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{{CatPerson|UK|1875|1946}}
{{CatPerson|UK|1875|1946}}
{{CatCaptain|UK}}
{{CatCapt|UK}}
{{CatTorpedoOfficer|UK}}
{{CatTorpedoOfficer|UK}}
{{CatBritannia|July, 1889}}
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 15:12, 26 April 2022

Captain Percy Withers (23 September, 1875 – 2 February, 1946) was an officer in the Royal Navy. Though he held important commands during the war, his naval service was unusual for a string of medical issues.

Life & Career

Withers entered the navy with the July 1889 intake term at the training ship H.M.S. Britannia, scoring lowest of 48 candidates on entry with 871 marks.[1]

Withers was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 14 June, 1897.[2]

In July 1899, his gums became ulcerated after a tooth extraction, causing him to be unfit for four and a half weeks.[3]

Lieutenant Withers was found to have lacked forethought and business management acumen in an affair of an ablebodied seaman's embezzlement from a canteen.[4]

Withers was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1908.[5]

He failed to complete a course at the Royal Navy War College 9 February – 28 May, 1909.

In November, 1910 he was found fit at Portland Hospital after a cataract issue.[6]

He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1915.

Withers was appointed in command of the scout cruiser Active in April 1916, and fought in her at the Battle of Jutland.

In July, 1920, Withers had hepatitis and enteritis while Commodore in Hong Kong. A series of wires sent home indicate an appendectomy and arduous recovery. At the end of the year, he was sent home in S.S. Bremen, arriving home on 18 February, 1921. He would be evaluated several times and not be found fit before 7 June.[7]

Percy Withers retired on 14 July, 1922.[8] He requested promotion to Rear-Admiral on the Retired List, but was denied.

Withers succumbed to pneumonia in 1946.

See Also

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Hugh K. Arbuthnot
Captain of H.M. T.B. 73
8 Jul, 1896[9] – before 18 Aug, 1896[10]
Succeeded by
Ivor F. Chichester
Preceded by
Cyril Asser
Captain of H.M.S. Foyle
25 Feb, 1909[11][12] – 1 Jun, 1910[13]
Succeeded by
Henry C. D. Field
Preceded by
Henry C. D. Field
Captain of H.M.S. Kennet
1 Jun, 1910[14] – 25 Nov, 1910[15]
Succeeded by
Richard M. King
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Cameleon
25 Nov, 1910[16][17] – 19 Sep, 1911[18]
Succeeded by
Hugh J. Tweedie
Preceded by
James R. P. Hawksley
Captain of H.M.S. Active
3 Apr, 1916[19] – Dec, 1916[20]
Succeeded by
Neston W. Diggle
Preceded by
Charles D. Roper
Captain (D), Fourth Destroyer Flotilla
6 Jul, 1916[21] – 7 Jan, 1917[22]
Succeeded by
Arthur E. Wood
Preceded by
Arthur E. Wood
Captain of H.M.S. Hecla
Dec, 1916[23] – 7 Jan, 1917[24]
Succeeded by
John B. Sparks
Preceded by
Charles D. Johnson
Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
7 Jan, 1917[25] – 10 Jan, 1918[26]
Succeeded by
Wilfred Tomkinson
Preceded by
Alan G. Hotham
Assistant Director of Naval Equipment
10 Jan, 1918[27] – 7 May, 1919[28]
Succeeded by
Claud H. Sinclair
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Colombo
7 May, 1919[29][30] – after Dec, 1919[31]
Succeeded by
Arthur H. Walker

Footnotes

  1. "Cadetships In The Navy." The Times (London, England), Thursday, Jun 27, 1889; pg. 11; Issue 32736.
  2. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  3. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  4. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  5. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  6. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  7. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  8. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  9. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  10. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  11. The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 319.
  12. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  13. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  14. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  15. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  16. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  17. The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 291.
  18. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  19. The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 391b.
  20. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  21. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  22. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  23. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  24. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  25. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  26. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  27. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  28. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  29. The Navy List. (October, 1920). p. 748.
  30. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.
  31. Withers Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44. f. 141.