John Duncan de Mussenden Leathes

Lieutenant-Commander John Duncan de Mussenden Leathes, (26 January, 1896 – 26 January, 1932) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Leathes was appointed to the Vanguard from mid September 1913 to 24 January, 1916. He was then appointed to the sweeping sloop Verbena, being promoted to Sub-Lieutenant on 15 September 1916 and becoming the executive officer of the small ship.

On 10 May 1917, Leathes was appointed to Dolphin for a course in submarines. He was sent to Lucia in July, and on 5 September, 1917 placed in C 22. He was re-appointed in the submarine as an Acting Lieutenant on 15 November, 1917.

Leathes was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 March, 1918. In mid-1918, he was noted by Captain Donaldson as being of "somewhat slovenly appearance". He served in E 23 from June and E 31 from August, 1918, remaining in the second boat until 9 September, 1919.

Leathes commanded Group "F" Submarines H 21, H 25 and H 26 in Reserve at Portland from 3 February to 5 May 1922. He then commanded H 50 for a year.

His career since February 1917 had been exclusively in submarines, and this would continue until his death except for 18 months in the light cruiser Coventry from August 1923 to March, 1925.

Leathes was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 March, 1926.

From December 1929 until June 1931, Rear Admiral (S) Dunbar-Nasmith repeatedly recommended him for promotion, but before he could receive the benefit of such support, Leathes died when M 2 foundered off Portland on 26 January, 1932.

See Also

• Service Records

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Andrew L. Besant	Captain of H.M.S. H 21 5 May, 1922 – 5 May, 1922	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Andrew L. Besant	Captain of H.M.S. H 25 5 May, 1922 – 5 May, 1922	Succeeded by Robert C. T. Roe
Preceded by Andrew L. Besant	Captain of H.M.S. H 26 5 May, 1922 – 5 May, 1922	Succeeded by George C. P. Menzies
Preceded by Robert C. T. Roe	Captain of H.M.S. H 50 6 Aug, 1922 – 1923	Succeeded by Wilfrid St. A. Malleson
Preceded by Frank D. Morris	Captain of H.M.S. L 52 26 Oct, 1925 – 1 Sep, 1926	Succeeded by Colin Mayers
Preceded by Frederick J. C. Halahan	Captain of H.M.S. H 44 1 Sep, 1926 – 13 Oct, 1926	Succeeded by John R. H. D'Aeth
Preceded by Colin Mayers	Captain of H.M.S. L 52 14 Oct, 1926 – 10 Aug, 1928	Succeeded by James G. W. Deneys
Preceded by Robert C. T. Roe	Captain of H.M.S. L 26 11 Aug, 1928 – 25 Aug, 1930	Succeeded by Gilbert P. Claridge
Preceded by Alexander S. Hutchinson	Captain of H.M.S. M 2 17 Nov, 1930 – 26 Jan, 1932	Succeeded by Vessel Lost