Difference between revisions of "Augustus Willington Shelton Agar"

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{{CaptRN}} '''Augustine Willington Shelton Agar''', V.C., D.S.O. (4 January, 1890 – 30 December, 1968) served in the [[Royal Navy]].  His first name was probably "Augustus", but his Service Records appear to reliably offer it as Augustine, only.
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{{CaptRN}} '''Augustine Willington Shelton Agar''', V.C., D.S.O. (4 January, 1890 – 30 December, 1968) served in the [[Royal Navy]].  His first name is given as "Augustus" in his obituary, but his Service Records appear to reliably offer it as "Augustine", only.
  
 
For a man who would deliver such personal fortitude in action, his evaluations as a young sailor during the [[Great War]] are amongst the most uniformly abysmal to be found.
 
For a man who would deliver such personal fortitude in action, his evaluations as a young sailor during the [[Great War]] are amongst the most uniformly abysmal to be found.
  
 
==Life & Career==
 
==Life & Career==
Born in Ceylon, the thirteenth child.
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Born in Kandy, Ceylon, the thirteenth child of J. S. Agar, a tea planter.  Agar entered {{UK-1Britannia}} in May, 1905 after schooling at Framlingham College and [[Eastman's Naval Academy]].{{ToL|Obituary|Wednesday, Jan 01, 1969; pg. 10; Issue 57447}}
  
 
Agar was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 30 June, 1912.<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
 
Agar was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 30 June, 1912.<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
  
 
In mid-1913, he was evaluated by Lieutenant-Commander [[Edward McConnell Wyndham Lawrie|Lawrie]] of {{UK-Ruby}} as being "Capable when he tries but at times shows lack of interest."<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
 
In mid-1913, he was evaluated by Lieutenant-Commander [[Edward McConnell Wyndham Lawrie|Lawrie]] of {{UK-Ruby}} as being "Capable when he tries but at times shows lack of interest."<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
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Agar served in the {{UK-Hibernia|f=t}} early in the war, and then at Gallipoli.
  
 
In mid 1916, Captain Haggard evaluated Agar as "Clever but unreliable.  Apt to do foolish things.  Deaf one ear."  At the end of the year, the same officer again recorded, "Clever but unreliable."<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
 
In mid 1916, Captain Haggard evaluated Agar as "Clever but unreliable.  Apt to do foolish things.  Deaf one ear."  At the end of the year, the same officer again recorded, "Clever but unreliable."<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
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In early 1918, Lieutenant-Commander Parker wrote that Agar was "[h]ardworking at times spasmodic. not tactful.  violent temper.  conceited but good knowledge at bottom.  Better when older."<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
 
In early 1918, Lieutenant-Commander Parker wrote that Agar was "[h]ardworking at times spasmodic. not tactful.  violent temper.  conceited but good knowledge at bottom.  Better when older."<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
  
==Interbellum==
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On 17 June, 1919, Agar led two Coastal Motor Boats in infiltrating Kronstadt harbour to attack Bolshevik naval assets.  When mechanical difficulties afflicted one of the boats, Agar continued his mission in {{UK-CMB4}} and succeeded in torpedoing and sinking the {{RU-Oleg|f=t}} despite suffering a motor breakdown that obliged him to stop at a breakwater to effect repairs for fully twenty minutes while in clear view of the enemy.  Agar was awarded the [[Victoria Cross]] for his audacious success.
 +
 
 
Agar was promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 30 June, 1920.<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
 
Agar was promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 30 June, 1920.<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>
  
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==World War II==
 
==World War II==
 
Agar was mentioned in despatches on 8 April, 1942 for good services when {{UK-Dorsetshire}} and {{UK-Cornwall}} were sunk by Japanese aircraft in the Indian Ocean.
 
Agar was mentioned in despatches on 8 April, 1942 for good services when {{UK-Dorsetshire}} and {{UK-Cornwall}} were sunk by Japanese aircraft in the Indian Ocean.
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Agar would die at age 78.
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
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* [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_rv=simple&_q=ADM+Augustine+Willington+Shelton+Agar Service Records]
 
* [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_rv=simple&_q=ADM+Augustine+Willington+Shelton+Agar Service Records]
 
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Agar}}
 
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus_Agar}}
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* Obituary.  ''The Times of London'' Wednesday, Jan 01, 1969; pg. 10; Issue 57447.
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Eric Seaburne Farrant|Charles E. S. Farrant]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Curlew (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Curlew'']]'''<br>Jan, 1936{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; Jan, 1937{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Basil Charles Barrington Brooke|Basil C. B. Brooke]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Ralph Kerr|Ralph Kerr]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Witch (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Witch'']]'''<br>22 Apr, 1926{{NLJul27|p. 290}} &ndash; 1927|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Eric Paul Vivian|Eric P. Vivian]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Gregory Crace|John G. Crace]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Emerald (1920)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Emerald'']]'''<br>Jan, 1937{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; Jun, 1940{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Francis Cyril Flynn|Francis C. Flynn]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Scarborough (1930)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Scarborough'']]'''<br>30 Sep, 1930{{NLJan33|p. 271}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Oswald Wykeham Cornwallis|The Hon. Oswald W. Cornwallis]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Charles Eric Seaburne Farrant|Charles E. S. Farrant]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Curlew (1917)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Curlew'']]'''<br>9 Jan, 1936<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref> &ndash; 14 Oct, 1936<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Russell Hamilton McBean|Russell H. McBean]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Tom Oliver Bulteel|Tom O. Bulteel]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Emerald (1920)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Emerald'']]'''<br>15 Jan, 1937{{NLJul37|p. 236}}<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref> &ndash; 1 Jun, 1940<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen|Edward S. F. Fegen]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Edgar Halsey|Thomas E. Halsey]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Malcolm (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Malcolm'']]'''<br>25 Jun, 1940<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref> &ndash; 13 Jul, 1940<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Thomas Edgar Halsey|Thomas E. Halsey]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[George Hector Creswell|George H. Creswell]]'''|'''[[First Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), First Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>25 Jun, 1940<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref> &ndash; 13 Jul, 1940<ref>Agar Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/52/301.|D7576725}} f. 656.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Benjamin Charles Stanley Martin|Benjamin C. S. Martin]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Dorsetshire (1929)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Dorsetshire'']]'''<br>Aug, 1941{{MackieRNW}} &ndash; 5 Apr, 1942{{MackieRNW}}|Succeeded by<br>'''Vessel Lost'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
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{{CatPerson|UK|1890|1968}}
 
{{CatPerson|UK|1890|1968}}
{{CatCaptain|UK}}
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{{CatCapt|UK}}
 
{{CatBritannia|May, 1905}}
 
{{CatBritannia|May, 1905}}
 +
[[Category:Royal Navy Officers Educated at Eastman's Royal Naval Academy]]

Revision as of 15:12, 12 November 2020

Captain Augustine Willington Shelton Agar, V.C., D.S.O. (4 January, 1890 – 30 December, 1968) served in the Royal Navy. His first name is given as "Augustus" in his obituary, but his Service Records appear to reliably offer it as "Augustine", only.

For a man who would deliver such personal fortitude in action, his evaluations as a young sailor during the Great War are amongst the most uniformly abysmal to be found.

Life & Career

Born in Kandy, Ceylon, the thirteenth child of J. S. Agar, a tea planter. Agar entered Britannia in May, 1905 after schooling at Framlingham College and Eastman's Naval Academy.[1]

Agar was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1912.[2]

In mid-1913, he was evaluated by Lieutenant-Commander Lawrie of Ruby as being "Capable when he tries but at times shows lack of interest."[3]

Agar served in the battleship Hibernia early in the war, and then at Gallipoli.

In mid 1916, Captain Haggard evaluated Agar as "Clever but unreliable. Apt to do foolish things. Deaf one ear." At the end of the year, the same officer again recorded, "Clever but unreliable."[4]

In early 1918, Lieutenant-Commander Parker wrote that Agar was "[h]ardworking at times spasmodic. not tactful. violent temper. conceited but good knowledge at bottom. Better when older."[5]

On 17 June, 1919, Agar led two Coastal Motor Boats in infiltrating Kronstadt harbour to attack Bolshevik naval assets. When mechanical difficulties afflicted one of the boats, Agar continued his mission in Template:UK-CMB4 and succeeded in torpedoing and sinking the protected cruiser Oleg despite suffering a motor breakdown that obliged him to stop at a breakwater to effect repairs for fully twenty minutes while in clear view of the enemy. Agar was awarded the Victoria Cross for his audacious success.

Agar was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1920.[6]

Agar was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1925.[7]

Agar was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1933.[8]

World War II

Agar was mentioned in despatches on 8 April, 1942 for good services when Dorsetshire and Cornwall were sunk by Japanese aircraft in the Indian Ocean.

Agar would die at age 78.

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Ralph Kerr
Captain of H.M.S. Witch
22 Apr, 1926[9] – 1927
Succeeded by
Eric P. Vivian
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Scarborough
30 Sep, 1930[10]
Succeeded by
The Hon. Oswald W. Cornwallis
Preceded by
Charles E. S. Farrant
Captain of H.M.S. Curlew
9 Jan, 1936[11] – 14 Oct, 1936[12]
Succeeded by
Russell H. McBean
Preceded by
Tom O. Bulteel
Captain of H.M.S. Emerald
15 Jan, 1937[13][14] – 1 Jun, 1940[15]
Succeeded by
Edward S. F. Fegen
Preceded by
Thomas E. Halsey
Captain of H.M.S. Malcolm
25 Jun, 1940[16] – 13 Jul, 1940[17]
Succeeded by
Thomas E. Halsey
Preceded by
George H. Creswell
Captain (D), First Destroyer Flotilla
25 Jun, 1940[18] – 13 Jul, 1940[19]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Benjamin C. S. Martin
Captain of H.M.S. Dorsetshire
Aug, 1941[20] – 5 Apr, 1942[21]
Succeeded by
Vessel Lost

Footnotes

  1. "Obituary." The Times (London, England), Wednesday, Jan 01, 1969; pg. 10; Issue 57447.
  2. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  3. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  4. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  5. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  6. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  7. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  8. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  9. The Navy List. (July, 1927). p. 290.
  10. The Navy List. (January, 1933). p. 271.
  11. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  12. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  13. The Navy List. (July, 1937). p. 236.
  14. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  15. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  16. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  17. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  18. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  19. Agar Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/52/301. f. 656.
  20. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  21. Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.