Charles George Ley Woollcombe

Captain (retired) Charles George Ley Woollcombe, C.B.E., R.N. (28 April, 1884 – 18 January, 1962) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of E. R. Woollcombe, Esq. was born in Hampstead.

Woollcombe was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 July, 1905. On 29 January 1906 while serving in the battleship Victorious he reported he had an inguinal hernia, but it was not so severe as to require his immediate relief.

In May 1910 the Admiralty expressed its appreciation for Woollcombe's invention of a telescope to illuminate the target of a Deflection Teacher.

Woollcombe was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 July, 1913.

Woollcombe served as gunnery officer in the heavy cruiser Devonshire from 2 December 1914 to 2 January, 1916.

Woollcombe served as gunnery officer in H.M.S. Glorious from 28 January, 1916 to 12 February, 1919, being promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1918.

Woollcombe was placed on the Retired List at his own request at the rank of Captain on 28 April, 1930.

World War II

In Glasgow providing Shipyard Liaison duties from July 1940 until he reverted to the Retired List on 28 October, 1945.

Service Record

• The National Archives. ADM 196/143.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/126.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/49.