Geoffrey Basil Spicer-Simson
Commander Geoffrey Basil Spicer-Simson, D.S.O. (15 January, 1876 – 29 January, 1947) served in the Royal Navy. Until 1903, his last name was "Simson". His last name is spelled "Spicer-Simpson" in one Service Record, but the other spelling seems to be used everywhere else. He could speak French, German and Spanish, and won the Ryder Memorial Prize in 1898.
Life & Career
Born in Hobart, Tasmania.
In March 1894, Simson lost one month's seniority by the C-in-C, Mediterranean for breaking out of ship during a stoppage of leave.
Simson was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1898.[1]
On 30 July 1903, Simson asked that his name be recorded as Spicer-Simson.[2]
Spicer-Simson's Vixen collided with a picket boat from Edgar, which resulted in the loss of two lives and damage to Vixen. This precipitated the Admiralty's severe displeasure. A second collision in March 1904 between Vixen and Osprey drew a similar caution.[3]
Spicer-Simson was promoted to the rank of Commander on 26 December, 1915.[4]
He was awarded the D.S.O. in recognition of the action of 9 February, 1916 when an Allied flotilla on Lake Tanganyika under his command "after a chase & running fight last 31⁄4 hours ... sank the German gunboat Hedwig-von-Wissmann."[5]
Spicer-Simson was granted the acting rank of Captain on 7 January, 1919.[6]
On 1 November, 1920, Spicer-Simson was appointed to President for work with the International Hydrographic Conference Committee.[7]
He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 21 June, 1921. He was informed that he was ineligible for a step in rank to Captain.[8]
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Charles E. Cundall |
Captain of H.M.S. Vixen 27 Feb, 1904 – 5 Apr, 1904 |
Succeeded by Thomas L. Thorpe-Doubble |
| Preceded by Michael H. Wilding |
Captain of H.M.S. Charger 15 Apr, 1904 – 25 Aug, 1904 |
Succeeded by Harry R. Godfrey |
| Preceded by Cecil F. Lambert |
Captain of H.M.S. Gipsy 30 Aug, 1904[9] – 2 Nov, 1904 |
Succeeded by Hugh P. Buckle |
| Preceded by Neston W. Diggle |
Captain of H.M.S. Fairy 2 Nov, 1904 – 1 Feb, 1905 |
Succeeded by David C. H. Dalrymple |
| Preceded by Christopher P. Metcalfe |
Captain of H.M.S. Widgeon 12 Mar, 1905[10] – 20 Jun, 1907 |
Succeeded by John F. Knox |
Footnotes
- ↑ Spicer-Simson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/125. f. 436.
- ↑ Spicer-Simson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 221.
- ↑ Spicer-Simson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 221.
- ↑ Spicer-Simson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/125. f. 436.
- ↑ Spicer-Simson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/125. f. 436.
- ↑ Spicer-Simson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/248. f. 221.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 831.
- ↑ Spicer-Simson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/125. f. 436.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1904). p. 318.
- ↑ The Navy List. (June, 1906). p. 397.
