Tom Dudley Kenneth Williams

Lieutenant-Commander Tom Dudley Kenneth Williams, (15 June, 1896 – 21 July, 1939) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Williams entered the Royal Navy with the May 1909 intake term at the Training Establishment. He passed out with sixty-one other midshipmen in April, 1913 ranked first in order of merit on his examinations.

Williams's first ship was the battleship Conqueror, in which he served from 15 January, 1914 through the Battle of Jutland. He continued in her until being appointed to Dolphin for instruction in submarines on 9 December, 1916. In February, he reported to Adamant for service in submarines, which was soon defined as being in E 2.

Williams was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 January, 1918 and continued to serve in E 2 until being moved to H 1 in October, 1918.

His immediate post-war service in 1919-20 was in H 21 and L 52. On 12 June, 1920 he was appointed to serve as first officer in K 8. In November 1920, he dislocated his clavicle and was admitted to Chatham Naval Hospital. He was not fit until 31 January, 1921.

In 1922, his evaluations were noting his tremendous efficiency in the Third Submarine Flotilla.

After being appointed to Furious on 31 August, 1925, Williams's interest in the service appears to have flagged. Captain J. L. Pearson noted that Williams's "[r]eliability, ezeal & energy, initiaitive all below average." A second evaluation noted that some could be due to "sleeping sickness". There was also mention of intemperance.

On 26 June, 1929 he was reported to have encephalitis, and to be in a serious condition. He had been suffering from this illness for some time before reporting himself sick, which appears to explain his deteriorated efficiency. He was found fit on 9 December 1929, but not for submarine service.

Williams was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 January, 1926. In 1928, it appears that Williams was to be reported on in three months' time as to his efficiency and zeal. A 1932 report indicated he "displays interest in instructional duties", but that a nervous temperament and lack of self-confidence rendered him unsuitable for promotion.

World War II

Reported that he was unfit in 1938, suffering from an ulcer. He would die in July, 1939.

See Also

• Service Records
• H.M.S. Conqueror at the Battle of Jutland

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Vivian R. S. Bowlby	Captain of H.M.S. H 30 Dec, 1921 – Feb, 1923	Succeeded by Frank G. Emley
Preceded by Harold E. Spragge	Captain of H.M.S. L 23 21 Oct, 1927 – Jul, 1929	Succeeded by James G. W. Deneys