William Alexander Florence
Temporary Lieutenant R.N.R. William Alexander Florence, D.S.O., (24 April, 1881 – ) was an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve.
Life & Career
Born in Portobello, Edinburgh.
Florence was promoted to the rank of Temporary Sub-Lieutenant on 22 July, 1916. On 20 August, he was appointed to H.M.S. Tulip, which was to become a special service ship. In this appointment, Florence was promoted to the rank of Temporary Acting Lieutenant on 30 September, 1916. He lost his commission in her sinking on 30 April 1917, and a new one was belatedly sent to him on 23 July 1918.[1]
Florence was appointed Lieutenant, R.N.R. in Command of the patrol boat PC 56 on 21 July, 1917.[2][3]
On 5 November 1917, PC 56 collided with P 62. A Court of Enquiry on the 8th resulted in Florence being cautioned to be more careful in future.[4]
PC 56 rammed, shelled, and depth charged U 87 in the Irish Sea on 25 December, 1917, sinking her with all hands.[5] On 11 June, 1918, Florence was specially promoted to the rank of Temporary Lieutenant in view of his services, dated 25 December 1917.[6]
In 1918, Florence was cautioned after he lost a confidential book in PC 56.[7]
He was demobilised on 25 July 1919.[8]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. PC 56 21 Jul, 1917[9] – c. Mar, 1919[Inference] |
Succeeded by Francis C. Hanna |
Footnotes
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 860.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ UBoat.net.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 860.
