Humphrey George Veale

Commander (retired) Humphrey George Veale (9 June, 1892 – ) was an officer in the Royal Navy. Although he does not appear to have committed any grave gaffes, he was at times not well regarded by his superiors and his career lacks many command appointments in consequence.

Life & Career

The son of a solicitor, Veale gained no time on passing out of the training establishment on 15 September, 1909. His first appointments were in Bacchante, Exmouth, Diana, Hindustan, Monarch and finally to Bristol as acting Sub-Lieutenant on 10 October, 1912. His evaluations over this period range from guardedly promising to sad under achievement, with Captain Hall in 1911 reporting, ""capable enough if he likes. rather casual & sleepy & generally wanting in energy not v promising at present."

Veale was promoted to the rank of Sub-Lieutenant on 15 January, 1913 while still in Bristol and then spent time in Leda, Wear and Leda again, the last appointment on 22 October, 1913.

Veale was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 January, 1915 and was appointed from Leda to the scout cruiser Attentive five days later.

Veale asked that he be given an appointment in a monitor in late 1915. He was landed in Belgium to assist with naval guns on 7 December, 1915 and was appointed to the monitor Sir John Moore on 28 December, 1915.

On 5 November, 1917, Veale was appointed to Dolphin, for submarine instruction. On 23 January, 1918, he was appointed to Alecto for service in submarines, and on 25 April, this was refined to an appointment in H 7.

Post-War

Veale served in H 7 until 7 January, 1919 when he was appointed to the former German submarine UB 64. This interesting assignment lasted but ten days, however. On 30 January, 1919, he was appointed to L 15.

The latter half of 1919 offered Veale some time in the large "K" class subs K 14 and K 8, his time in the second boat extending to mid-1920 (and during which he lost a confidential book) when he was offered a two month appointment at the Periscope School.

On 28 August, 1920, Veale was appointed in command of the six "G" class submarines of the "L" group in reserve at Portsmouth: G 3, G 4, G 5, G 6, G 10 and G 13. This ended in February, 1921 when he was finally offered his first true command, of H 28. When this ended on 28 June, Veale received a damning evaluation from Commander (S), Third Submarine Flotilla Geoffrey Layton: "I have a poor opinion of him. lack[s] zeal & initiative. fond of finding fault. not a good example." Veale's active naval career petered out with miscellaneous service and some time in Tilbury and, lastly, Burslem. Veale was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 January, 1922 and placed on the Retired List at his own request on 23 August, 1922.

Veale was promoted to the rank of Commander on 9 June, 1932.

World War II

In 1939, Veale was appointed as King's Harbour Master, Freetown, being paid by the government of Sierra Leone. He reverted to the Retired List on 30 September, 1942.

Personal Life

Veale married Rose Frederica Clarkson Mayhew at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft on 6 January, 1915. In late 1923, however, he had suffered a bankruptcy and was separated from his wife. In the end, 840 pounds of his Royal Navy pension was awarded to his wife.

See Also

• Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Colin G. MacArthur	Captain of H.M.S. G 4 28 Aug, 1920 – 21 Feb, 1921	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Ian A. P. Macintyre	Captain of H.M.S. G 3 28 Aug, 1920 – 21 Feb, 1921	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by George F. Bradshaw	Captain of H.M.S. G 13 28 Aug, 1920 – 21 Feb, 1921	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Redvers M. Prior	Captain of H.M.S. G 10 28 Aug, 1920 – 21 Feb, 1921	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Robert N. Stopford	Captain of H.M.S. G 5 28 Aug, 1920 – 21 Feb, 1921	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Basil N. Downie	Captain of H.M.S. G 6 28 Aug, 1920 – 21 Feb, 1921	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by William D. Stephens	Captain of H.M.S. H 28 21 Feb, 1921 – 28 Jun, 1921	Succeeded by William O. Scrymgeour-Wedderburn