Francis Stuart McGachen

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Lieutenant-Commander Francis Stuart McGachen, (5 April, 1883 – 29 October, 1915) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Olney the son of a surgeon.

McGachen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1905.

In 1910, while in command of either Sunfish or Porcupine, McGachen was blamed for failing to immediately report the loss of a torpedo to the Senior Officer present, and for the unsatisfactory manner with which he dealt with a complaint made against a Petty Officer in Porcupine. He was Court Martialed for stranding her in December for which he was severely reprimanded. In January of the next year, Captain Dawson opined that McGachen had "limited knowledge & little zeal. unfit to cmd a T.B.D.". Accordingly, he was sent to Duncan for fifteen months, from which he was sent back to England for fourteen days leave in May 1911, suffering from an illegible "affliction". He next went to Indefatigable for six months ending in November 1912 when he was given command of the second class protected cruiser Juno for a month – likely while she was in reserve or even docked.

McGachen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 June, 1913.

In December 1914, he incurred Their Lordships' severe displeasure for misconduct aboard Ocean. He was placed on half pay until next needed, and would be reported on quarterly thereafter. He survived the first such report in April 1915, from H.M.S. Impregnable, but he was discovered drunk on shore the following month. He was placed on the Retired List on 26 May 1915 in accordance with Order in Council of 13 May, 1901.

McGachen died later that year.

See Also

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Reginald Watkins Grubb
Captain of H.M.S. Sunfish
24 Jan, 1910[1] – 15 Aug, 1910[2]
Succeeded by
Valentine D. English
Preceded by
Raymond J. Harris
Captain of H.M.S. Porcupine
15 Aug, 1910[3] – 2 Jan, 1911[4]
Succeeded by
Cecil M. Queripel
Preceded by
Arthur H. C. C. Home
Captain of H.M.S. Juno
4 Nov, 1912[5] – 20 Jan, 1913[6]
Succeeded by
Edward G. Lowther-Crofton

Footnotes

  1. McGachen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/101. f. ?.
  2. McGachen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/101. f. ?.
  3. McGachen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/101. f. ?.
  4. McGachen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/101. f. ?.
  5. McGachen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/101. f. ?.
  6. McGachen Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/101. f. ?.