George Cuninghame Quayle

Captain (retired) George Cuninghame Quayle (1 September, 1871 – 13 June, 1919) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Quayle was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1893.

Quayle was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1903.

Quayle was appointed in command of the third class protected cruiser Pegasus on 1 October, 1907.

In a Royal Navy War College class of 5 October, 1909 - 28 January, 1910, he placed ninth out of sixteen commanders. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 5 October, 1910 with the rank of Captain.

Great War

On 1 August, Quayle was recalled to serve in the Transport Section, Thames. He was superseded in this post on 1 October. His next appointment was to Fisgard on 14 November, 1914 and as Inspecting Captain of Mechanical Training Establishments and remained there until 19 June, 1917.

Quayle's last appointment was to command the hired yacht North Star II, on 19 June, 1917, replacing Powell Cecil Underwood, who had died on the 4th.

Post-War

Quayle reverted to the Retired List in March, 1919. He committed suicide in 13 June "owing to imagined stigma (illeg) of (illeg) at Port Said during outbreak of Goeben". A verdict was delivered of "suicide whilst of unsound mind." A letter of condolence was sent to his brother, Captain John Quayle of the Army, on 8 July, 1919.

"NAVAL OFFICER'S DELUSIONS. An inquiry was held at Paddington yesterday into the circumstances connected with the death of Captain G.C. Quayle, R.N., retired, who was found outside his house in a dying condition, having fallen from his bedroom window. He had complained of the great nervous strain occasioned by being constantly on the bridge when watching for submarines or the Goeben and on convoy work. In a letter he wrote: 'The hue and cry does not frighten me, but death can only remove the stain attached to my name.' It was stated that the suggestions were delusions, and that Captain Quayle had been twice commended by the Lords of the Admiralty. The Coroner adjourned the inquiry for further evidence" (Leicester Evening Mail (Wednesday, 18 June 1919), p. 5).

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Marcus R. Hill	Captain of H.M.S. Redbreast 24 Aug, 1901 – 22 Aug, 1903	Succeeded by Hugh Gaultier-Coghill Somerville
Preceded by Montagu L. Hulton	Captain of H.M.S. Hussar 2 Dec, 1903 – 31 Dec, 1903	Succeeded by George C. Quayle
Preceded by George C. Quayle	Captain of H.M.S. Hussar Jan, 1904 – 8 Jun, 1904	Succeeded by Frederic W. Dean
Preceded by Warren H. D'Oyly	Captain of H.M.S. Pegasus 15 Nov, 1906 – 1 Apr, 1907	Succeeded by George C. Quayle
Preceded by Maurice S. FitzMaurice	Captain of H.M.S. Torch 1 Apr, 1907 – 1 Oct, 1907	Succeeded by Edmund C. Carver
Preceded by George C. Quayle	Captain of H.M.S. Pegasus 1 Oct, 1907 – 19 Mar, 1909	Succeeded by Arthur H. C. C. Home
Preceded by Arthur K. Waistell	Captain of Training Ship H.M.S. Fisgard 14 Nov, 1914 – 19 Jun, 1917	Succeeded by Judge D'Arcy
Preceded by Robert E. R. Benson	Inspecting Captain of Mechanical Training Establishments 14 Nov, 1914 – 19 Jun, 1917	Succeeded by Judge D'Arcy