James Follett Houstoun
Captain (retired) James Follett Houstoun (9 January, 1883 – 10 January, 1952) was an officer in the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Houstoun was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1905.[1]
In October 1911, Houstoun underwent surgery for a hernia.
Houstoun was appointed in command of the destroyer Forester on 8 January, 1912.[2]
Shortly after emerging from two week hospitalisation for influenza at Queensferry, Houstoun was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 1 April, 1913. His most recent inspection in the destroyer Forester noted the wonderful efficiency of her armament and the value of suggestions Lieutenant Houstoun was providing. On 5 August, however, Houstoun was blamed for not personally overseeing the berthing of his destroyer when she collided with the S.S. Beacon Light.[3]
In November, 1913, Houstoun was appointed to Columbine, additional, in an administrative position to Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Swinburne Lowry.
Great War
Houstoun was appointed in command of the destroyer Linnet on 9 October, 1914.[4]
Houstoun was placed in temporary command of ship whose name is illegible from 12 to 18 June, 1915 while he was otherwise in command of the Linnet of the Third Destroyer Flotilla.
On 1 December, 1915 Houstoun underwent surgery for an undisclosed purpose. His recovery was in a nursing home and he was not again fit until late January, when he was declared healthy enough for duty at an air station. In mid-1916 he was again operated on, perhaps for removing cysts. On 30 August, 1916, Houstoun was found fit for general service. On 9 October, his name was noted for employment in rigid airships.[5]
Houstoun was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1917.[6]
On 4 March, 1918, Houstoun was appointed in command of the destroyer Winchelsea.[7]
Post-War
On 15 January, 1920, the D.T.D. opined that Houstoun's lack of staff training rendered him unsuitable for planning wartime convoy operations, but that this should not adversely impact other aspects of his naval career. On 24 March, 1921, Houstoun was sick on shore. Monitored at Queensferry Hospital, he was again fit on 8 July.[8]
Houstoun was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 30 October, 1922.[9]
Houstoun was promoted to the rank of Captain on the Retired List upon turning forty-five years old on 9 January, 1928.[10]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Geoffrey P. Russell |
Captain of H.M. T.B. 1 1 Feb, 1909[11] |
Succeeded by Horace Walker |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. Forester 8 Jan, 1912[12] |
Succeeded by Montague G. B. Legge |
| Preceded by Loftus W. Jones |
Captain of H.M.S. Linnet 9 Oct, 1914[13] |
Succeeded by James V. Creagh |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. Oriole 23 Oct, 1916[14] |
Succeeded by Edward R. M. Geake |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. Trenchant 21 Apr, 1917[15] |
Succeeded by Frederic A. H. Russel |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. Winchelsea 4 Mar, 1918[16] |
Succeeded by Hubert S. Braddyll |
Footnotes
- ↑ Houstoun Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/149. f. 354.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 316.
- ↑ Houstoun Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/149. f. 354.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 348.
- ↑ Houstoun Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/149. f. 354.
- ↑ Houstoun Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/149. f. 354.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 944.
- ↑ Houstoun Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/149. f. 354.
- ↑ Houstoun Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/149. f. 354.
- ↑ Houstoun Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/47/149. f. 354.
- ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1910). p. 400.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1914). p. 316.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1915). p. 395l.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 396h.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 398n.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 944.
