William Alexander Florence
Temporary Lieutenant William Alexander Florence, D.S.O., ( – ) was an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve.
Life & Career
Florence was promoted to the rank of Temporary Sub-Lieutenant on 22 July, 1916. On 20 August, he was appointed to Tulip, a special service ship. In this appointment, Florence was promoted to the rank of Temporary Acting Lieutenant on 30 September, 1916. Tulip was renamed Q 12 on 1 May, 1917. This seems to have angered some sea spirits, however, as the ship was sunk on 3 May. He lost his commission in the sinking, and a new one was belatedly sent to him on 23 July 1918.[1]
Florence was appointed Lieutenant, R.N.R. in Command of the patrol boat PC 56 on 21 July, 1917.[2][3]
On 5 November 1917, PC 56 collided with P 62. A Court of Enquiry on the 8th resulted in Florence being cautioned to be more careful in future.[4]
PC 56 rammed, shelled, and depth charged U 87 in the Irish Sea on 25 December, 1917, sinking her with all hands.[5] On 11 June, 1918, Florence was specially promoted to the rank of Temporary Lieutenant in view of his services, dated 25 December 1917.[6]
In 1918, Florence was cautioned after he lost a confidential book in PC 56.[7]
Demobilised 25 July 1919.[8]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by ? |
Captain of H.M.S. PC 56 21 Jul, 1917[9] |
Succeeded by Francis C. Hanna |
Footnotes
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 860.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ UBoat.net.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ Florence Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 240/45/339. f. 173.
- ↑ The Navy List. (February, 1919). p. 860.
