Difference between revisions of "Richard Anthony Aston Plowden"

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to: navigation, search
(Life & Career)
(renamed shiplink UK-Satyr)
(24 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{RearRN}} '''Richard Anthony Aston Plowden''', D.S.O., R.N. (24 May, 1881 – ) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].  His career would be highlighted by command of destroyers.
+
{{RearRN}} '''Richard Anthony Aston Plowden''', D.S.O., R.N. (24 May, 1881 – 24 February, 1941) was an officer in the [[Royal Navy]].  His career would be highlighted by command of destroyers.
  
 
==Life & Career==
 
==Life & Career==
Plowden was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 31 March, 1903.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
+
{{SubRN}} Plowden was appointed to the {{UK-1Ramillies|f=t}} in the Mediterranean on 12 April, 1902 and then to {{UK-Harrier}} later that year for special service in the Red Sea.  This appears to have involved anti-slaving work, as in November, 1902 his service record states that he was in command of a captured slaver dhow which had been given the delightful moniker of H.M.S. ''Irresponsible''.    Plowden was sent back to ''Ramillies'' upon his promotion to the rank of {{LieutRN}} on 31 March, 1903.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
  
Plowden's early work in destroyer command started after a typical sequence of early appointments in large ships, ending with a year in {{UK-Cornwallis}} which ended on 23 March 1907 when he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Bat|f=c}}.  Six successive destroyer commands were broken, finally, by an appointment in the {{UK-Superb|f=t}} on 12 February, 1911.  His experience commanding small ships did not seem to prepare him to please Captain [[Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt|Gaunt]], whose final evaluation of the young officer was that he was "rather slow, bad manner & lacks enthusiasm."<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
+
Plowden's early work in destroyer command started after a typical sequence of early appointments in large ships, ending with a year in {{UK-Cornwallis}} which ended on 23 March 1907 when he was appointed in command of the {{UK-Bat|f=c}}, arriving in England on 5 April.  Six successive destroyer commands were broken, finally, by an appointment in the {{UK-Superb|f=t}} on 12 February, 1911.  His experience commanding small ships did not seem to prepare him to please Captain [[Ernest Frederick Augustus Gaunt|Gaunt]], whose final evaluation of the young officer was that he was "rather slow, bad manner & lacks enthusiasm."<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
  
Promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 31 March, 1911, Plowden continued his battleship appointment until 20 December, 1912 when he received an appointment in command of the {{UK-Sheldrake|f=c}}, which was part of the {{UK-DF|4}}.  This appointment would persist into the war.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
+
Promoted to the rank of {{LCommRN}} on 31 March, 1911, Plowden continued his battleship appointment until 20 December, 1912 when he received an appointment in command of the {{UK-Sheldrake|f=c}}, which was part of the {{UK-DF|4}}.  When ''Sheldrake'' collided with the {{UK-1Fury|f=t}} on 11 July, 1913, both captains were chided for not having been on the bridge at the time of the accident.  He would remain in command of the ship until some time into the war.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
  
 
==Great War==
 
==Great War==
 
Plowden was re-appointed in {{UK-Sheldrake}} upon his promotion to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1915.  He was superseded in her in July, and took command of the {{UK-Mandate|f=c}} for three months.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
 
Plowden was re-appointed in {{UK-Sheldrake}} upon his promotion to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1915.  He was superseded in her in July, and took command of the {{UK-Mandate|f=c}} for three months.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
  
Plowden commanded the {{UK-Hardy|f=t}} when she operated with the {{UK-DF|4}} at the [[Battle of Jutland]].{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 34, 44}}
+
Plowden commanded the {{UK-1Hardy|f=t}} when she operated with the {{UK-DF|4}} at the [[Battle of Jutland]].{{UKJutlandOD|pp. 34, 44}}
  
 
==Post-War==
 
==Post-War==
 
On 28 December, 1918, Plowden was appointed in command of the {{UK-Musketeer|f=t}}.{{NLFeb19|p. 849}}
 
On 28 December, 1918, Plowden was appointed in command of the {{UK-Musketeer|f=t}}.{{NLFeb19|p. 849}}
  
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-Satyr|f=t}} on 1 October, 1919.{{NLDec20|p. 861}}
+
He was appointed in command of the {{UK-1Satyr|f=t}} on 1 October, 1919.{{NLDec20|p. 861}}
  
 
Plowden was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1921.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
 
Plowden was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 30 June, 1921.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
Line 22: Line 22:
 
Plowden was appointed in command of the {{UK-Centurion|f=t}} in January, 1931.
 
Plowden was appointed in command of the {{UK-Centurion|f=t}} in January, 1931.
  
Plowden was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 1 September, 1933.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
+
Plowden was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}} on 1 September, 1933 and placed on the Retired List the following day.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>
 +
 
 +
==World War II==
 +
On 3 September, 1939, Plowden was appointed to ''Victory'' additional as Commodore of Convoy, Second Class, R.N.R., being sent to the Liverpool Convoy Pool later that year.
 +
 
 +
Richard Plowden was killed in action at age 59 on 24 February, 1941 when his steam merchant ''Sirikishna'' of the dispersed convoy OB-288 was torpedoed by U-96 (the submarine upon which ''Das Boot'' was loosely based) and lost in the North Atlantic.  He left a widow, Phyllis Mary, née Higginson, whom he had married on 18 November, 1911.<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref><ref>[http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/785.html uboat.net page on ''Sirikishna''].</ref>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==
Line 28: Line 33:
 
* [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_rv=simple&_q=ADM+Richard+Anthony+Aston+Plowden Service Records]
 
* [http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_rv=simple&_q=ADM+Richard+Anthony+Aston+Plowden Service Records]
 
* [[Fourth D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland]]
 
* [[Fourth D.F. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland]]
{{WP|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Anthony_Aston_Plowden}}
+
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Anthony_Aston_Plowden}}
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
 
{{TabNaval}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cheerful (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cheerful'']]'''<br>13 May, 1908{{NLOct08|p. 293}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Philip Douglas Roberts West|Philip D. R. West]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Bat (1896)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Bat'']]'''<br>23 Mar, 1907<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 13 May, 1908<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Oliver Gladstone|Edward O. Gladstone]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Doon (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Doon'']]'''<br>3 Aug, 1909{{NLJan10|p. 302}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Vesey Holt|Reginald V. Holt]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cheerful (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cheerful'']]'''<br>13 May, 1908<ref> Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLOct08|p. 293}} &ndash; 24 Jul, 1908<ref> Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sheldrake (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sheldrake'']]'''<br>20 Dec, 1912{{NLApr15|p. 398''a''}} &ndash; mid 1915{{NLDec16|p. 398''a''}}{{NLSep19|p. 907}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Maurice Crause Bomford|Maurice C. Bomford]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Uchtred Farie|James U. Farie]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Bat (1896)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Bat'']]'''<br>6 Oct, 1908<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 13 Mar, 1909<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Edmund Power Bickford|John E. P. Bickford]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Lewis Gonne Eyre Crabbe|Lewis G. E. Crabbe]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hardy (1912)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hardy'']]'''<br>10 May, 1916{{NLDec18|p. 808}} &ndash; Dec, 1918{{NLDec18|p. 808}}{{NLFeb19|p. 808}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Eastwick-Field|Edward Eastwick-Field]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Geoffrey Corlett|Geoffrey Corlett]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Ostrich (1900)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Ostrich'']]'''<br>13 Mar, 1909<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLJul09|p. 352}} &ndash; 3 Aug, 1909<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[George Pritzler Green|George P. Green]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Eastwick-Field|Edward Eastwick-Field]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Musketeer (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Musketeer'']]'''<br>28 Dec, 1918{{NLFeb19|p. 849}}|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Charles Lloyd Owen|Reginald C. L. Owen]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Doon (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Doon'']]'''<br>3 Aug, 1909<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLJan10|p. 302}} &ndash; 10 Sep, 1910<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Watkins Grubb|Reginald Watkins Grubb]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Spencer Francis Russell|Spencer F. Russell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Minion (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Minion'']]'''<br>26 Mar, 1919{{NLJul19|p. 847}}|Succeeded by<br>'''C. & M. party at Devonport<br>15 October, 1919'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Watkins Grubb|Reginald Watkins Grubb]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Thrasher (1895)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Thrasher'']]'''<br>10 Sep, 1910<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 4 Jan, 1911<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hugh Justin Tweedie|Hugh J. Tweedie]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Henniker-Heaton|Arthur Henniker-Heaton]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Satyr (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Satyr'']]'''<br>1 Oct, 1919{{NLDec20|p. 861}}|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Robert Amcotts Wilson|Robert A. Wilson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sheldrake (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sheldrake'']]'''<br>20 Dec, 1912<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLApr15|p. 398''a''}} &ndash; Jul, 1915<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Maurice Crause Bomford|Maurice C. Bomford]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Coombe Hodgson|John C. Hodgson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Bruce (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Bruce'']]'''<br>28 Apr, 1924{{NLJul24|p. 219}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Cronyn Tovey|John C. Tovey]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Maurice Crause Bomford|Maurice C. Bomford]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mandate (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mandate'']]'''<br>late Jul, 1915<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 26 Oct, 1915<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Eric Quintin Carter|Eric Q. Carter]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Barry Stewart Bingham|The Hon. Edward B. S. Bingham]]'''|'''[[Eighth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>28 Apr, 1924{{NLJul24|p. 219}} &ndash; late 1924{{NLJul24|p. 219}}<ref>Tovey Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/49.|}} f. 131.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Cronyn Tovey|John C. Tovey]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Norton Allen Sulivan|Norton A. Sulivan]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Moon (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Moon'']]'''<br>26 Jul, 1915<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 10 May, 1916<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Robert Edward Meade Harris|Robert E. M. Harris]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Owen Francis Gillett|Owen F. Gillett]]'''<br><small>as '''King's Harbour Master, Malta'''</small>|'''[[Malta Dockyard|Captain of Dockyard, Deputy Superintendent and King's Harbour Master, Malta]]'''<br>? &ndash; 7 Oct, 1930<ref>Superseded that day.  Young Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/48/25.}} f. 429.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Harold Young|John H. Young]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Ophelia (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Ophelia'']]'''<br>10 May, 1916<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; late May, 1916<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Lewis Gonne Eyre Crabbe|Lewis G. E. Crabbe]]'''}}
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Aubrey Thomas Tillard|Aubrey T. Tillard]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Centurion (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Centurion'']]'''<br>6 Jan, 1931{{MackieRNW}}<ref>Day of month inferred from predecessor being discharged.  Tillard Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46.|}} f. 95.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Montague George Bentinck Legge|Montague G. B. Legge]]'''}}
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Lewis Gonne Eyre Crabbe|Lewis G. E. Crabbe]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Hardy (1912)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Hardy'']]'''<br>10 May, 1916{{NLDec18|p. 808}} &ndash; 28 Dec, 1918<ref>Plowden Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward Eastwick-Field|Edward Eastwick-Field]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Eastwick-Field|Edward Eastwick-Field]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Musketeer (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Musketeer'']]'''<br>28 Dec, 1918<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLFeb19|p. 849}} &ndash; 29 Jan, 1919<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Horace Walker|Horace Walker]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Horace Walker|Horace Walker]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Mindful (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Mindful'']]'''<br>29 Jan, 1919<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 26 Mar, 1919<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''?'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Spencer Francis Russell|Spencer F. Russell]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Minion (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Minion'']]'''<br>26 Mar, 1919<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLJul19|p. 847}} &ndash; 1 Oct, 1919<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''C. & M. Party at Devonport'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Arthur Henniker-Heaton|Arthur Henniker-Heaton]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Satyr (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Satyr'']]'''<br>1 Oct, 1919<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLDec20|p. 861}} &ndash; 10 Jun, 1921<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Eric Quintin Carter|Eric Q. Carter]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Aubrey Thomas Tillard|Aubrey T. Tillard]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Castor (1915)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Castor'']]'''<br>15 Sep, 1923<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 28 Apr, 1924<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Evelyn Claude Ogilvie Thomson|Evelyn C. O. Thomson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Coombe Hodgson|John C. Hodgson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Bruce (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Bruce'']]'''<br>28 Apr, 1924<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLJul24|p. 219}} &ndash; 31 Dec, 1924<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Kenneth MacLeod|Kenneth MacLeod]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Barry Stewart Bingham|The Hon. Edward B. S. Bingham]]'''|'''[[Eighth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>28 Apr, 1924{{NLJul24|p. 219}} &ndash; 31 Dec, 1924<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Cronyn Tovey|John C. Tovey]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Coombe Hodgson|John C. Hodgson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Campbell (1918)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Campbell'']]'''<br>31 Dec, 1924<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLJul24|p. 219}} &ndash; 19 Apr, 1926<ref>Plowden Service Record. {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Cronyn Tovey|John C. Tovey]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Coombe Hodgson|John C. Hodgson]]'''|'''[[Sixth Destroyer Flotilla (Royal Navy)|Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla]]'''<br>31 Dec, 1924<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLJul24|p. 219}} &ndash; 19 Apr, 1926<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Cronyn Tovey|John C. Tovey]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edward Barry Stewart Bingham|The Hon. Edward B. S. Bingham]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Malcolm (1919)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Malcolm'']]'''<br>29 Dec, 1926<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>{{NLJul24|p. 219}} &ndash; 29 Jun, 1928<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edmond Julius Gordon Mackinnon|Edmond J. G. Mackinnon]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Malcolm Lennon Goldsmith|Malcolm L. Goldsmith]]'''|'''[[Malta Dockyard|Captain of Dockyard, Deputy Superintendent and King's Harbour Master, Malta]]'''<br>8 Oct, 1928<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref> &ndash; 7 Oct, 1930<ref>Superseded that day.  Young Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/48/25.}} f. 429.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Harold Young|John H. Young]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Aubrey Thomas Tillard|Aubrey T. Tillard]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Centurion (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Centurion'']]'''<br>5 Jan, 1931<ref>Plowden Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/46/64.|D7603571}} f. 64.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Noel Louis Veresmith|Noel L. Veresmith]]'''}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
{{TabEnd}}
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 
</div name=fredbot:appts>
Line 52: Line 69:
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Plowden, Richard}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Plowden, Richard}}
  
{{CatPerson|UK|1881|}}
+
{{CatPerson|UK|1881|1941}}
{{CatRearAdmiral|UK}}
+
{{CatRear|UK}}
 
{{CatBritannia|January, 1895}}
 
{{CatBritannia|January, 1895}}
 +
{{CatKilledOnActiveService|UK}}

Revision as of 15:38, 19 April 2018

Rear-Admiral Richard Anthony Aston Plowden, D.S.O., R.N. (24 May, 1881 – 24 February, 1941) was an officer in the Royal Navy. His career would be highlighted by command of destroyers.

Life & Career

Sub-Lieutenant Plowden was appointed to the battleship Ramillies in the Mediterranean on 12 April, 1902 and then to Harrier later that year for special service in the Red Sea. This appears to have involved anti-slaving work, as in November, 1902 his service record states that he was in command of a captured slaver dhow which had been given the delightful moniker of H.M.S. Irresponsible. Plowden was sent back to Ramillies upon his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 March, 1903.[1]

Plowden's early work in destroyer command started after a typical sequence of early appointments in large ships, ending with a year in Cornwallis which ended on 23 March 1907 when he was appointed in command of the "C" Class destroyer Bat, arriving in England on 5 April. Six successive destroyer commands were broken, finally, by an appointment in the battleship Superb on 12 February, 1911. His experience commanding small ships did not seem to prepare him to please Captain Gaunt, whose final evaluation of the young officer was that he was "rather slow, bad manner & lacks enthusiasm."[2]

Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 31 March, 1911, Plowden continued his battleship appointment until 20 December, 1912 when he received an appointment in command of the Acorn Class destroyer Sheldrake, which was part of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. When Sheldrake collided with the destroyer Fury on 11 July, 1913, both captains were chided for not having been on the bridge at the time of the accident. He would remain in command of the ship until some time into the war.[3]

Great War

Plowden was re-appointed in Sheldrake upon his promotion to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1915. He was superseded in her in July, and took command of the "M" Class destroyer Mandate for three months.[4]

Plowden commanded the destroyer Hardy when she operated with the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla at the Battle of Jutland.[5]

Post-War

On 28 December, 1918, Plowden was appointed in command of the destroyer Musketeer.[6]

He was appointed in command of the destroyer Satyr on 1 October, 1919.[7]

Plowden was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1921.[8]

Plowden was appointed in command of the battleship Centurion in January, 1931.

Plowden was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 1 September, 1933 and placed on the Retired List the following day.[9]

World War II

On 3 September, 1939, Plowden was appointed to Victory additional as Commodore of Convoy, Second Class, R.N.R., being sent to the Liverpool Convoy Pool later that year.

Richard Plowden was killed in action at age 59 on 24 February, 1941 when his steam merchant Sirikishna of the dispersed convoy OB-288 was torpedoed by U-96 (the submarine upon which Das Boot was loosely based) and lost in the North Atlantic. He left a widow, Phyllis Mary, née Higginson, whom he had married on 18 November, 1911.[10][11]

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Philip D. R. West
Captain of H.M.S. Bat
23 Mar, 1907[12] – 13 May, 1908[13]
Succeeded by
James U. Farie
Preceded by
James U. Farie
Captain of H.M.S. Cheerful
13 May, 1908[14][15] – 24 Jul, 1908[16]
Succeeded by
James U. Farie
Preceded by
James U. Farie
Captain of H.M.S. Bat
6 Oct, 1908[17] – 13 Mar, 1909[18]
Succeeded by
John E. P. Bickford
Preceded by
Geoffrey Corlett
Captain of H.M.S. Ostrich
13 Mar, 1909[19][20] – 3 Aug, 1909[21]
Succeeded by
George P. Green
Preceded by
Reginald C. L. Owen
Captain of H.M.S. Doon
3 Aug, 1909[22][23] – 10 Sep, 1910[24]
Succeeded by
Reginald Watkins Grubb
Preceded by
Reginald Watkins Grubb
Captain of H.M.S. Thrasher
10 Sep, 1910[25] – 4 Jan, 1911[26]
Succeeded by
Hugh J. Tweedie
Preceded by
Robert A. Wilson
Captain of H.M.S. Sheldrake
20 Dec, 1912[27][28] – Jul, 1915[29]
Succeeded by
Maurice C. Bomford
Preceded by
Maurice C. Bomford
Captain of H.M.S. Mandate
late Jul, 1915[30] – 26 Oct, 1915[31]
Succeeded by
Eric Q. Carter
Preceded by
Norton A. Sulivan
Captain of H.M.S. Moon
26 Jul, 1915[32] – 10 May, 1916[33]
Succeeded by
Robert E. M. Harris
Preceded by
New Command
Captain of H.M.S. Ophelia
10 May, 1916[34] – late May, 1916[35]
Succeeded by
Lewis G. E. Crabbe
Preceded by
Lewis G. E. Crabbe
Captain of H.M.S. Hardy
10 May, 1916[36] – 28 Dec, 1918[37]
Succeeded by
Edward Eastwick-Field
Preceded by
Edward Eastwick-Field
Captain of H.M.S. Musketeer
28 Dec, 1918[38][39] – 29 Jan, 1919[40]
Succeeded by
Horace Walker
Preceded by
Horace Walker
Captain of H.M.S. Mindful
29 Jan, 1919[41] – 26 Mar, 1919[42]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Spencer F. Russell
Captain of H.M.S. Minion
26 Mar, 1919[43][44] – 1 Oct, 1919[45]
Succeeded by
C. & M. Party at Devonport
Preceded by
Arthur Henniker-Heaton
Captain of H.M.S. Satyr
1 Oct, 1919[46][47] – 10 Jun, 1921[48]
Succeeded by
Eric Q. Carter
Preceded by
Aubrey T. Tillard
Captain of H.M.S. Castor
15 Sep, 1923[49] – 28 Apr, 1924[50]
Succeeded by
Evelyn C. O. Thomson
Preceded by
John C. Hodgson
Captain of H.M.S. Bruce
28 Apr, 1924[51][52] – 31 Dec, 1924[53]
Succeeded by
Kenneth MacLeod
Preceded by
The Hon. Edward B. S. Bingham
Captain (D), Eighth Destroyer Flotilla
28 Apr, 1924[54] – 31 Dec, 1924[55]
Succeeded by
John C. Tovey
Preceded by
John C. Hodgson
Captain of H.M.S. Campbell
31 Dec, 1924[56][57] – 19 Apr, 1926[58]
Succeeded by
John C. Tovey
Preceded by
John C. Hodgson
Captain (D), Sixth Destroyer Flotilla
31 Dec, 1924[59][60] – 19 Apr, 1926[61]
Succeeded by
John C. Tovey
Preceded by
The Hon. Edward B. S. Bingham
Captain of H.M.S. Malcolm
29 Dec, 1926[62][63] – 29 Jun, 1928[64]
Succeeded by
Edmond J. G. Mackinnon
Preceded by
Malcolm L. Goldsmith
Captain of Dockyard, Deputy Superintendent and King's Harbour Master, Malta
8 Oct, 1928[65] – 7 Oct, 1930[66]
Succeeded by
John H. Young
Preceded by
Aubrey T. Tillard
Captain of H.M.S. Centurion
5 Jan, 1931[67]
Succeeded by
Noel L. Veresmith

Footnotes

  1. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  2. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  3. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  4. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  5. Battle of Jutland Official Despatches. pp. 34, 44.
  6. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 849.
  7. The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 861.
  8. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  9. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  10. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  11. uboat.net page on Sirikishna.
  12. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  13. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  14. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  15. The Navy List. (October, 1908). p. 293.
  16. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  17. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  18. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  19. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  20. The Navy List. (July, 1909). p. 352.
  21. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  22. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  23. The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 302.
  24. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  25. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  26. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  27. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  28. The Navy List. (April, 1915). p. 398a.
  29. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  30. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  31. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  32. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  33. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  34. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  35. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  36. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 808.
  37. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  38. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  39. The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 849.
  40. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  41. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  42. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  43. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  44. The Navy List. (July, 1919). p. 847.
  45. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  46. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  47. The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 861.
  48. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  49. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  50. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  51. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  52. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 219.
  53. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  54. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 219.
  55. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  56. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  57. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 219.
  58. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  59. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  60. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 219.
  61. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  62. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  63. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 219.
  64. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  65. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.
  66. Superseded that day. Young Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/48/25. f. 429.
  67. Plowden Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/46/64. f. 64.