Difference between revisions of "Eric Percy Coventry Back"

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[[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] '''Eric Percy Coventry Back''', Royal Navy (5 August, 1870 – 30 December, 1915) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].
 
[[Captain (Royal Navy)|Captain]] '''Eric Percy Coventry Back''', Royal Navy (5 August, 1870 – 30 December, 1915) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].
  
==Footnotes==
+
==Life & Career==
{{reflist}}
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Back was born in Torquay, South Devon, the son of a Reverend S. Back of Maxstoke Vicarage. in Coleshill, Warwickshire.<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>
  
==Bibliography==
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He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 February, 1890.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26224/pages/5986 no. 26224.  p. 5986.]  17 November, 1891.</ref>
{{refbegin}}
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{{refend}}
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==Service Record==
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Back was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 30 June, 1892.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/26309/pages/4187 no. 26309.  p. 4187.]  22 July, 1892.</ref>
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Back was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 26 June, 1902.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/27448/supplements/4198 (Supplement) no. 27448.  p. 4198.]  26 June, 1902.</ref>
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On 1 February, 1905, he was appointed to be executive officer in {{UK-PrinceGeorge}}.  Later that year, she collided with the German cruiser {{DE-FriedrichCarl}} and Back was informed that he had shown a lack of judgment and had contravened Admiralty orders in opening sluice valves without orders and without first ascertaining the scope of damage.  On 4 March, 1907, ''Prince George'' was paid off.  In September, Beck took a Signals Course.
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On 30 June, 1908, Back was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}}.<ref>''The London Gazette'': [http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28151/supplements/4644 (Supplement) no. 28151.  p. 4644.]  26 June, 1908.</ref>
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He was appointed in command of the cruiser {{UK-KingAlfred}} on 7 June, 1910, and became captain of {{UK-Sutlej}} on 13 June when the flag was transferred to ''King Alfred''.<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 30 May, 1910.  Issue '''39285''', col C, p. 8.<br>Doughty Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  f. 141.</ref>
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He served as captain of {{UK-Leviathan}} from 8 February 1911, remaining with her for two years.  He married Violet Hammill in St. Faith's on 18 February, 1911.  After ''Leviathan'' paid off on 13 February, 1913, Back apparently failed to return her charts in a suitable condition; Their Lordships informed him that his explanation for this deficiency was "insufficient".  On 20 March, Back was appointed to ''Impregnable'' to be Flag Captain to Admiral [[George Le Clerc Egerton|Egerton]] on the [[Plymouth Station]].<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>
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==Great War==
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Back was superseded as Flag Captain on the Plymouth Station by Captain [[Charles Frederick Thorp]] on 5 June, 195 and appointed command of the {{UK-Natal|f=t}}  This would prove his last appointment, as he died in her when she exploded on 30 December, just over six months later.<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>
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 +
==Service Records==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7917996&queryType=1&resultcount=1 ADM 196/43.]
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*{{ADM196|89|D8115557}}
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*{{ADM196|43|D7602475}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
[[Category:1870 births|Back]]
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<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
[[Category:1915 deaths|Back]]
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{{TabNaval}}
[[Category:Personalities|Back]]
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Lewis Clinton-Baker|Lewis Clinton-Baker]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. King Alfred (1901)|Captain of H.M.S. ''King Alfred'']]'''<br>7 Jun, 1910<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref> &ndash; 13 Jun, 1910<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Montagu Doughty|Henry M. Doughty]]'''}}
[[Category:H.M.S. Britannia (Training Ship) Entrants of January, 1884|Back]]
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Henry Montagu Doughty|Henry M. Doughty]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sutlej (1899)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sutlej'']]'''<br>13 Jun, 1910<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref><ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 30 May, 1910.  Issue '''39285''', col C, p. 8.<br>Doughty Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  f. 141.</ref> &ndash; 8 Feb, 1911<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Herbert du Cane Luard|Herbert du C. Luard]]'''}}
[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Natal (1905)|Back]]
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Lindesay Cay|Arthur L. Cay]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Leviathan (1901)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Leviathan'']]'''<br>8 Feb, 1911<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>{{NLApr11|p. 339}} &ndash; 13 Feb, 1913<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Octavius Harold Daniel|Octavius H. Daniel]]'''}}
[[Category:Royal Navy Captains|Back]]
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Lindesay Cay|Arthur L. Cay]]'''|'''[[Plymouth Station|Flag Captain, Plymouth Station]]'''<br>20 Mar, 1913{{NLDec14|p. 335}}<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref> &ndash; 5 Jun, 1915<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Charles Frederick Thorp|Charles F. Thorp]]'''}}
[[Category:Royal Navy Officers Killed on Active Service|Back]]
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{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Frederick Ernest Green|John F. E. Green]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Natal (1905)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Natal'']]'''<br>5 Jun, 1915{{NLOct15|p. 396''d''}}<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref> &ndash; 30 Dec, 1915<ref>Back Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7602475}} f. 142.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''Vessel Lost'''}}
 +
{{TabEnd}}
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</div name=fredbot:appts> 
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==Footnotes==
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{{reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Back, Eric}}
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{{CatPerson|UK|1870|1915}}
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{{CatBritannia|January, 1884}}
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{{CatGunneryOfficer|UK}}
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{{CatCapt|UK}}
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{{CatKilledOnActiveService|UK}}

Revision as of 20:13, 13 August 2017

Captain Eric Percy Coventry Back, Royal Navy (5 August, 1870 – 30 December, 1915) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Back was born in Torquay, South Devon, the son of a Reverend S. Back of Maxstoke Vicarage. in Coleshill, Warwickshire.[1]

He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 February, 1890.[2]

Back was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1892.[3]

Back was promoted to the rank of Commander on 26 June, 1902.[4]

On 1 February, 1905, he was appointed to be executive officer in Prince George. Later that year, she collided with the German cruiser Friedrich Carl and Back was informed that he had shown a lack of judgment and had contravened Admiralty orders in opening sluice valves without orders and without first ascertaining the scope of damage. On 4 March, 1907, Prince George was paid off. In September, Beck took a Signals Course.

On 30 June, 1908, Back was promoted to the rank of Captain.[5]

He was appointed in command of the cruiser King Alfred on 7 June, 1910, and became captain of Sutlej on 13 June when the flag was transferred to King Alfred.[6]

He served as captain of Leviathan from 8 February 1911, remaining with her for two years. He married Violet Hammill in St. Faith's on 18 February, 1911. After Leviathan paid off on 13 February, 1913, Back apparently failed to return her charts in a suitable condition; Their Lordships informed him that his explanation for this deficiency was "insufficient". On 20 March, Back was appointed to Impregnable to be Flag Captain to Admiral Egerton on the Plymouth Station.[7]

Great War

Back was superseded as Flag Captain on the Plymouth Station by Captain Charles Frederick Thorp on 5 June, 195 and appointed command of the armoured cruiser Natal This would prove his last appointment, as he died in her when she exploded on 30 December, just over six months later.[8]

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Lewis Clinton-Baker
Captain of H.M.S. King Alfred
7 Jun, 1910[9] – 13 Jun, 1910[10]
Succeeded by
Henry M. Doughty
Preceded by
Henry M. Doughty
Captain of H.M.S. Sutlej
13 Jun, 1910[11][12] – 8 Feb, 1911[13]
Succeeded by
Herbert du C. Luard
Preceded by
Arthur L. Cay
Captain of H.M.S. Leviathan
8 Feb, 1911[14][15] – 13 Feb, 1913[16]
Succeeded by
Octavius H. Daniel
Preceded by
Arthur L. Cay
Flag Captain, Plymouth Station
20 Mar, 1913[17][18] – 5 Jun, 1915[19]
Succeeded by
Charles F. Thorp
Preceded by
John F. E. Green
Captain of H.M.S. Natal
5 Jun, 1915[20][21] – 30 Dec, 1915[22]
Succeeded by
Vessel Lost
 

Footnotes

  1. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  2. The London Gazette: no. 26224. p. 5986. 17 November, 1891.
  3. The London Gazette: no. 26309. p. 4187. 22 July, 1892.
  4. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 27448. p. 4198. 26 June, 1902.
  5. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 28151. p. 4644. 26 June, 1908.
  6. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 30 May, 1910. Issue 39285, col C, p. 8.
    Doughty Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 141.
  7. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  8. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  9. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  10. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  11. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  12. "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 30 May, 1910. Issue 39285, col C, p. 8.
    Doughty Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 141.
  13. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  14. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  15. The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 339.
  16. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  17. The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 335.
  18. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  19. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  20. The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 396d.
  21. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.
  22. Back Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 142.