Cuthbert Winthrop Swithinbank

Captain (retired) Cuthbert Winthrop Swithinbank, (22 February, 1886 – ) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Swithinbank was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 March, 1906. On 4 September, he was appointed to the Good Hope. By the time he left her on 27 July 1908, he had been "in charge of" her gunnery and displayed "zeal & ability". This would have been quite a feather for the young man, who had yet to qualify as gunnery lieutenant, as the ship proved herself to be the best-shooting ship in the Channel Fleet for 1907 and again in 1908, when she was first in every class of gun tested.

he qualified as gunnery lieutenant on 22 September, 1909 and was sent to H.M.S. Vivid, additional, until being appointed to the battleship Vengeance as gunnery officer on 24 June, 1910 to participate in the Annual Manoeuvres of 1910.

After a brief, temporary appointment as gunnery officer in Theseus, in November 1910 he would be appointed to Blenheim for gunnery duties and for duty with T.B.Ds..

Swithinbank was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 March, 1914. On the 26th, he was appointed to the battleship Swiftsure as gunnery officer. On 10 August, 1915, a gun aboard Swiftsure accidentally fired and caused casualties on a transport. A Court of Enquiry found that Swithinbank had permitted the gun to remain loaded after the gun crew had fallen out. He received an expression of the Vice-Admiral's dissatisfaction with his neglect of duty.

Swithinbank was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1918.

Placed on the Retired List on 5 February, 1923, he would continue to work with the Navy in administerial capacities within the Ordnance Department.

Swithinbank was promoted to the rank of Captain on 22 February, 1931. On 1 January, 1932 hew was appointed Inspector of Naval Ordnance.

See Also

• Service Records