James Cantrell Johnstone Soutter

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Captain (retired) James Cantrell Johnstone Soutter, R.N. (22 May, 1885 – ) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Soutter was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1907.[1]

On 1 August, 1914, Soutter was appointed to the battleship Formidable.

Soutter was senior lieutenant in the third class protected cruiser Amethyst on 14 March 1915 at 4.10am when she was hit heavily by shore batteries, killing twenty-two of her crew and wounding thirty-eight while knocking out the steering gear and engine room telegraphs. Soutter and crew quickly arranged hand steering and ad hoc communication to extricate the ship from danger. Later, he and his captain, Commander George James Todd were mentioned in despatches.[2]

Soutter was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 1 April, 1915.[3] He was appointed to the battleship Malaya on 28 December, 1915 and served as her 6-in control officer at the Battle of Jutland and through the end of the war.[4]

Soutter was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1919.[5]

On 12 February, 1920, he was appointed to President, additional, to serve on the Naval Inter-Allied Commission of Control.[6]

On 1 April 1923, he was loaned to the Royal Australian Navy for two years.[7]

On 24 September 1928, Soutter was subjected to a Court Martial for having negligently or by default having hazarded Tourmaline and Splendid. The charge was proven and he was severely reprimanded.[8]

He was placed on the Retired List at his own request at the rank of Captain on 1 June, 1931.[9]

World War II

On 9 September, 1939, Soutter was appointed in command of the armed yacht Evadne and held the command until 23 April, 1940.[10]

On 24 April 1940, Soutter was appointed in command of the armed yacht Maid Marion vice Watson, and held the command until 2 September, 1941.[11]

Reverted to the Retired List on 29 June, 1944.

See Also

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
Maurice B. R. Blackwood
Captain of H.M.A.S. Platypus
26 May, 1923[12]
Succeeded by
George F. Langford
Preceded by
Herbert Victor Creer
Captain of H.M.A.S. Anzac
14 Jan, 1925[13]
Succeeded by
James R. C. Cavendish
Preceded by
John Fawcett
Captain of H.M.S. Tourmaline
Apr, 1929[14] – Jan, 1929[15]
Succeeded by
Henry V. Hudson
Preceded by
Horatio Westmacott
Captain of H.M.S. Assistance
15 Mar, 1930[16] – 9 Sep, 1930[17]
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Arthur E. Buckland
Captain of H.M.S. Argus
3 Mar, 1931[18][19] – 22 May, 1931[20]
Succeeded by
Claud A. Merriman

Footnotes

  1. The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 125.
  2. Todd Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/7. f. 7.
  3. The Navy List. (November, 1919). p. 358.
  4. The Navy List. (November, 1919). p. 840.
  5. The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 347.
  6. The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 831.
  7. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  8. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  9. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  10. Uboat.net page on the ship.
  11. Uboat.net page on the ship.
  12. The Navy List. (July, 1924). p. 295.
  13. The Navy List. (April, 1925). p. 292.
  14. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  15. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  16. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  17. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  18. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.
  19. "Naval Appointments." The Times (London, England), Friday, Jan 23, 1931; pg. 6; Issue 45728.
  20. Soutter Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/127/8. f. 8.