John Paul Irven

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to: navigation, search

Captain (retired) John Paul Irven, R.N. (2 September, 1872 – 28 October, 1934) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Childwall, Lancashire. Irven's early service is dotted with a series of medical issues that rendered him unfit, commencing in 1889 and extending into 1894. An early note indicates this may be due to an inflammation of the ear. Discharged from sick quarters in Portland as "cured" on 76 August, 1894, Irven was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in October, 1894.[1]

On 14 May 1901, the Admiralty expressed its surprise that he should have been below decks when Dasher collided with Cynthia.[2]

Though his service record indicates he may have already left the ship for Haughty, a contemporary newspaper account indicates that he was still commanding Bittern on 22 July 1901 for the Annual Manoeuvres of 1901.[3]

Irven was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander in October, 1902. At some point around 1903 or 1904, he really stepped in it, and his Service Record notes that he incurred Their Lordships' severe displeasure "on account of conduct of this officer in towing his wife's houseboat about instead of searching for pirates."[4]

In 1905 and 1906, he was again ailing, but the diagnosis is never mentioned. He was placed in Osborne Convalescent Home on 5 February 1906.[5]

After some service in the Coast Guard at Rathmullen, he was lent to King's Lynn, Sheerness Naval Centre on 12 October 1911. While still in this role, Irven was placed on the Retired List at the rank of Commander on 2 September, 1917. His service continued, and he was moved to Invergordon in February 1919.[6]

Irven was promoted to the rank of Captain (retired) in recognition of war service, dated 11 November, 1918.[7]

See Also

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Henry C. R. Brocklebank
Captain of H.M.S. Ariel
18 Sep, 1900[8][9] – 2 Mar, 1901[10]
Succeeded by
Bertram M. Chambers
Preceded by
John Luce
Captain of H.M.S. Dasher
2 Mar, 1901[11] – 1901[12]
Succeeded by
Kerrison Kiddle
Preceded by
Ernest S. Carey
Captain of H.M.S. Bittern
1901[13] – 2 Jul, 1901[14]
Succeeded by
Leslie J. L. Hammond
Preceded by
Charles P. Beaty-Pownall
Captain of H.M.S. Haughty
2 Jul, 1901[15] – 3 Oct, 1901[16]
Succeeded by
John M. Casement
Preceded by
Godfrey G. Webster
Captain of H.M.S. Robin
1 Jan, 1902[17] – 22 Dec, 1903[18]
Succeeded by
Robert E. Vaughan

Footnotes

  1. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  2. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  3. "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Jul 23, 1901; pg. 10; Issue 36514.
  4. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  5. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  6. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  7. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  8. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  9. The Navy List. (January, 1901). p. 226.
  10. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  11. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  12. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  13. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  14. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  15. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  16. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  17. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.
  18. Irven Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/293. f. 322.