Lancelot Napier Turton

Captain Lancelot Napier Turton (19 January, 1875 – 13 October, 1918) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Turton was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 22 June, 1897.

Turton was appointed in command of the "30 knotter" Ariel on 2 October, 1905. The destroyer was wrecked and lost in a night attack exercise on 19 April, 1907. Turton was faulted for taking unjustified risks that precipitated the calamity and he was not to be appointed to another destroyer in consequence, instead being sent to the Royal Naval Barracks in Chatham. While so engaged, Turton was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1908 and subsequently appointed to join the heavy cruiser Berwick on 1 November, 1909.

Great War

Turton was appointed in command of the scout cruiser Foresight on 12 November, 1914. He returned to Foresight after a temporary loan in command of Attentive from 23 December 1914 to 9 February and remained there until being removed on 5 December, 1915 on medical grounds.

On 3 February, 1916 Turton was appointed to command the Royal Indian Marine ship Northbrook, though he would not come aboard until 9 March. On 10 May, Turton arrived with the Northbrook off the Somali village of Las Khorai and discovered a force of dervishes who had just subjected the town to three days of murderous assault, now set into retreat by the warship's arrival. In a methodical manner, Turton fired lyddite from her fore 4-in gun and a 12-pdr at a range of 6,000 yards into the marauders as Northbrook chased them in headlong panic, killing at least 170 of them by confirmed body count. The Admiralty considered that "Turton's prompt action in dealing so drastic a blow will have far reaching results." Presumably, Turton's later methods were more nuanced to inspire the commendation for his "ability shown in dealing with the complicated negotiations in regard to the possession of [the port of] Kunfida."

Turton was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1916 following a recommendation from Vice Admiral Wemyss.

On 7 February, 1917, Turton was loaned to Fox, being replaced in command of Northbrook by Captain William H. D. Boyle. Apart from a swap or two with Boyle back in Northbrook, Turton remained with Fox until leaving to return to command of Northbrook on 13 August, 1917.

Turton was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Venus in late October, 1917. He was invalided from the ship on 11 October, 1917 with pneumonia, and died of the disease two days later.

See Also

• Wikipedia
• Service Records
• Account of Turton in Somaliland

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Cyril S. Townsend	Captain of H.M.S. Myrmidon 14 Aug, 1901 – 23 Jan, 1902	Succeeded by Cecil F. Lambert
Preceded by Cecil F. Lambert	Captain of H.M.S. Panther 23 Jan, 1902 – 9 Mar, 1903	Succeeded by Cyril P. Ryan
Preceded by Harry C. J. R. West	Captain of H.M.S. Seal 9 Mar, 1903 – 20 Oct, 1903	Succeeded by Evelyn L. B. Boothby
Preceded by Basil G. Washington	Captain of H.M.S. Ariel 2 Oct, 1905 – 19 Apr, 1907	Succeeded by Vessel Lost
Preceded by Herbert N. Garnett	Captain of H.M.S. Foresight 12 Nov, 1914 – 23 Dec, 1914	Succeeded by Charles D. Johnson
Preceded by Charles D. Johnson	Captain of H.M.S. Attentive 23 Dec, 1914 – 9 Feb, 1915	Succeeded by Charles D. Johnson
Preceded by Charles D. Johnson	Captain of H.M.S. Foresight 9 Feb, 1915 – 5 Dec, 1915	Succeeded by Charles N. Tindal-Carill-Worsley
Preceded by Arthur E. Wood	Captain of H.M.S. Northbrook 3 Feb, 1916 – 7 Feb, 1917	Succeeded by William H. D. Boyle
Preceded by William H. D. Boyle	Captain of H.M.S. Northbrook 13 Aug, 1917 – Oct, 1917	Succeeded by David T. Norris
Preceded by Robert G. D. Dewar	Captain of H.M.S. Venus late Oct, 1917 – c. 11 Oct, 1918	Succeeded by Hubert S. Monroe