Thomas Lawrie Shelford
Captain Thomas Lawrie Shelford, Royal Navy (26 December, 1869 – 13 May, 1915) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
Early Life & Career
Born in Singapore, Shelford's guardian upon entering the Royal Navy was listed as William Paterson, Esq. of 39 Lime Street, London.[1]
In December, 1884 Shelford passed out of H.M.S. Britannia, having qualfied for entrance as a Colonial Cadet following entrance examintaions held in late 1883.[2]
Shelford was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant, dated 14 May, 1889.[3]
Shelford was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1892 and re-appointed to Peacock for navigation duties on the China Station. He would serve as navigating officer in a number of ships through 1903, when he was performing such work in Glory. He was promoted to the rank of Commander while in the ship on 30 June, 1903, leaving the ship in October 1905.[4][5]
Shelford commanded the battleship Hood from 22 October, 1909 through 28 November, 1910, being promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1909.[6]
Shelford became a destroyer flotilla commander when he was given charge of the old second class protected cruiser Venus, which was now acting as depot ship for the First Destroyer Flotilla on 1 May, 1912. Early in 1913, he moved from Venus to the scout cruiser Blonde, retaining his flotilla command. Shelford was blamed for a collision between Hydra and Lizard in February 1913, the Admiralty citing the "improper method" in which Shelford took his flotilla to sea. A second collision between Hydra and Attack the following month was attributed to Shelford's choice of formation, which contained "elements of serious danger". These incidents elicited the Admiralty's "severe displeasure", and Shelford was to be superseded.[7]
Shelford was appointed to command the battleship Goliath on 8 May, 1913,[8] and died when she was torpedoed and lost in the early morning of 13 May, 1915.[9]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Ernest G. Barton |
Captain of H.M.S. Royal Oak 1 Jan, 1907[10] – 1909 |
Succeeded by John C. Watson |
| Preceded by Lawrence de W. Satow |
Captain of H.M.S. Hood 22 Oct, 1909[11] – mid 1910 |
Succeeded by Arthur T. Taylor |
| Preceded by Arthur R. Hulbert |
Captain of H.M.S. Venus 1 May, 1912[12][13] |
Succeeded by James R. P. Hawksley |
| Preceded by Arthur R. Hulbert |
Captain of H.M.S. Blonde 20 Jan, 1913[14] |
Succeeded by William F. Blunt |
| Preceded by Arthur R. Hulbert |
Captain (D), First Destroyer Flotilla 20 Jan, 1913[15] |
Succeeded by William F. Blunt |
| Preceded by John White |
Captain of H.M.S. Goliath 8 May, 1913[16] – 13 May, 1915[17] |
Succeeded by Vessel Lost |
Footnotes
- ↑ Shelford Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/43/82. f. 89.
- ↑ "Naval Cadetships." The Times (London, England), Tuesday, Dec 12, 1882; pg. 4; Issue 30688.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26111. p. 6800. 2 December, 1890.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27572. p. 4187. 3 July, 1903.
- ↑ Shelford Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/43/82. f. 89.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28325. p. 29. 4 January, 1910.
- ↑ Shelford Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/43/82. f. 89.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 324.
- ↑ Kindell. Royal Navy Roll of Honour Part 2. p. 96.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1909). p. 369.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 328.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 23 April, 1912. Issue 39880, col G, p. 16.
- ↑ The Navy List. (August, 1912). p. 390.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 286.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 286.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 324.
- ↑ Naval Operations. Volume II. pp. 407-8.
