Charles Everard Hughes White

Commander (retired) Charles Everard Hughes White, D.S.O., D.S.C. (14 August, 1884 – ) was an officer in the Royal Navy with a seemingly casual regard for shipboard fiduciary practices.

Life & Career

White was born in India, the son of Lieutenant Commander C. White, possibly of the Royal Navy, but perhaps the Royal Artillery. Charles gained three months time on passing out of Britannia.

In 1905, White was appointed as an interpreter during a visit of the French Fleet.

On 8 May, 1906, White was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 55.

White was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1906.

An evaluation from 1910 from Commander Elder while White was in command of T.B. 80 says that he is "inclined to let zeal outrun judgement." White was hospitalised for appendicitis on 29 June, 1910. He was discharged on 6 July.

White was appointed in command of the destroyer Sylvia on 6 March, 1912.

After two years in Sylvia, on 9 March 1914, White was appointed to the battleship Neptune. He remained in her through the first several months of the war until he was appointed in command of the destroyer Lark on 8 December, 1914. Promotion to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander came on 31 December, 1914.

White was in command of Lark when she took part in the Battle off Noordhinder Bank on 1 May, 1915, assisting in the sinking of two German coastal destroyers.

Apparently, his 1910 treatment was not comprehensive, as White came down with appendicitis in January, 1916 and was was sent to Chatham Hospital. He would require months to recover and was superseded in command of Lark in mid-January. During his convalescence, there was an investigation into alleged misappropriation of Lark's canteen funds. White elected to plead guilty to a charge of neglect of duty for having failed to convene a committee to explore the matter. He was severely reprimanded as a result and dismissed the ship, which was then an additional appointment to Dido.

On 14 August, 1917, White was appointed in command of the destroyer Melampus. On 25 October, he attacked an enemy submarine in a manner whose promptness and energy impressed the Admiralty.

On 23 October, 1917, White was credited with destroying the German submarine UC 16. He was awarded a D.S.O. for this feat, invested upon him at Buckingham Palace on 8 May, 1919.

Post-War

He was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy and appointed in command of the destroyer Swordsman on 1 April, 1919. On 3 November, 1921, the Naval Board of Australia expressed its severe displeasure that White failed to account for certain public money that had been advanced to him. An evaluation for him from 1921 mentions that he is not tactful and obstinate. White reverted to R.N. service on 31 January, 1922.

In mid June 1922, White was appointed as Officer Instructor of the Scottish Division, R.N.V.R., but was relieved of his post in December 1923 "in the interests of the service" after an adverse report. In 1924, he was thanked for his suggested alterations for "R" class destroyers for tropical service and informed his ideas would be filed for reference.

White was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 8 October, 1926.

World War II

White offered his services in 1939 and was initially told he was not needed, but he was instead to receive anti-submarine training. In late July, however, he was placed in command of PC 74.

White was granted the Acting rank of Commander on 8 December, 1939.

White was promoted to the rank of Commander on 14 December, 1942.

Despite being over 60 years old, White offered his services to the Navy in 1948. He was informed that his offer was noted, but that officers under sixty years of age would receive primary consideration for re-employment.

Further details of his naval service are apparently on page 156 of the book from which his electronic service record was taken, but it was not included in the scanning.

See Also

• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by David de B. Stocks	Captain of H.M. T.B. 55 8 May, 1906 – 14 May, 1907	Succeeded by Ronald M. Fraser as Captain of H.M. T.B. 055
Preceded by William M. M. Robinson	Captain of H.M. T.B. 041 24 Jul, 1909 – Dec, 1909	Succeeded by Ernest W. Kirkby
Preceded by Robert R. Hallowell-Carew	Captain of H.M. T.B. 80 Dec, 1909 – 9 Aug, 1911	Succeeded by Victor I. Griffith
Preceded by John P. Landon	Captain of H.M.S. Brazen 9 Aug, 1911 – Oct, 1911	Succeeded by Edward T. D. Finch
Preceded by Edward McC. W. Lawrie	Captain of H.M.S. Earnest 3 Feb, 1912 – 1 Mar, 1912	Succeeded by Malcolm L. Goldsmith
Preceded by Gervase W. H. Heaton	Captain of H.M.S. Sylvia 6 Mar, 1912 – 9 Mar, 1914	Succeeded by Ernald G. H. Master
Preceded by Rafe G. Rowley-Conwy	Captain of H.M.S. Lark 8 Dec, 1914 – 13 Jan, 1916	Succeeded by Geoffrey S. Holden
Preceded by Reginald Watkins Grubb	Captain of H.M.S. Manners 29 May, 1917 – 28 Jul, 1917	Succeeded by Gerald C. Harrison
Preceded by Lawrence D'O. Bignell	Captain of H.M.S. Melampus 14 Aug, 1917 – 12 Mar, 1919	Succeeded by James Figgins
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Swordsman 12 Mar, 1919 – 31 Jan, 1922	Succeeded by Reginald C. Creer as Captain of H.M.A.S. Swordsman
Preceded by William J. Fricker	Captain of H.M.S. PC 74 27 Jul, 1939	Succeeded by ?