Francis Alexander Waddilove Buller

Rear-Admiral (retired) Francis Alexander Waddilove Buller, D.S.O., (14 May, 1879 – 14 July, 1943) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Wartington, Buller was the son of Admiral Alexander Buller, C.B.. His older brother, Henry Tritton Buller, was also destined to become a prominent Royal Navy officer.

Buller was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1900.

In 1911, an inspection of Mohawk concluded that excessive amounts of liquor were being consumed.

As a Lieutenant, Buller was appointed in command of the new destroyer Phoenix on 11 May, 1912, joining the First Destroyer Flotilla.

Buller was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1913. In late 1913, he suffered a concussion, but he was fit by 25 November.

Great War

In 1916, Buller was blamed for not showing navigation lights in a collision between Matchless and Template:UK-TB. Buller was awarded a D.S.O. for his distinguished service with the Harwich Force in 1917. On 18 May, 1917 he attacked a submarine. On 31 December of that year, Buller was promoted to the rank of Captain.

He was appointed in command of the scout cruiser Blanche in April, 1918.

Post-War

On 8 January, 1919, Buller was appointed in command of the light cruiser Caroline, though he would be replaced in just a month's time.

On 15 November, 1919, a Court Martial proved a charge against him that he negligently caused Campbell to be stranded.

Buller was placed on the retired list on 14 July, 1922 and advanced to Rear-Admiral while retired on 29 May, 1929. Buller succumbed to cancer on 14 July, 1943.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Osmond J. Prentis	Captain of H.M.S. Leopard 30 Jul, 1906 – 10 Jul, 1907	Succeeded by Robert J. Buchanan
Preceded by Lionel G. Preston	Captain of H.M.S. Bruizer 10 Jul, 1907 – 23 Sep, 1909	Succeeded by Kennedy G. Brooke
Preceded by Hugh Gaultier-Coghill Somerville	Captain of H.M.S. Mohawk 15 Dec, 1910 – 1 Feb, 1912	Succeeded by Bruce Lloyd-Owen
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Phoenix 11 May, 1912 – 14 Aug, 1913	Succeeded by Michael K. H. Kennedy
Preceded by Arthur B. S. Dutton	Captain of H.M.S. Meteor 3 Mar, 1915 – 13 Jan, 1917	Succeeded by Robert A. Hornell
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Stork 13 Jan, 1917 – 8 Jul, 1917	Succeeded by Alan F. W. Howard
Preceded by Wion de M. Egerton	Captain of H.M.S. Lightfoot 8 Jul, 1917 – 26 Sep, 1917	Succeeded by Frederick E. K. Strong
Preceded by New Command	Captain of H.M.S. Shakespeare 26 Sep, 1917 – 5 Apr, 1918	Succeeded by Malcolm L. Goldsmith
Preceded by Reginald A. R. Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax	Captain of H.M.S. Blanche 5 Apr, 1918 – 8 Jan, 1919	Succeeded by Charles A. W. Wrightson
Preceded by Oliver E. Leggett	Captain of H.M.S. Caroline 8 Jan, 1919 – 6 Feb, 1919	Succeeded by William J. B. Law
Preceded by Rafe G. Rowley-Conwy	Captain of H.M.S. Campbell 7 Jul, 1919 – 7 Jul, 1921	Succeeded by Roderick B. T. Miles
Preceded by Rafe G. Rowley-Conwy	Captain (D), Third Destroyer Flotilla 7 Jul, 1919 – 7 Jul, 1921	Succeeded by Frank F. Rose