Percy Pitts
Captain (retired) Percy Pitts, C.B.E. (24 December, 1876 – 2 August, 1937) was an officer in the Royal Navy described by one evaluator as being "not of attractive appearance."
Life & Career
Born in Plymouth, Pitts gained eight months' time on passing out of Britannia. He was appointed to join Anson in the Channel Squadron on 21 September 1892. He remained with her for a year and was appointed to Empress of India on 11 September 1893.[1]
Pitts was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1898 and appointed to Pelorus, temporary, in lieu of a sublieutenant. On 18 September 1899 he was appointed to Cleopatra, then to Howe for just two weeks. Following some time in Devonport Barracks, Pitts was appointed to Rupert in the Mediterranean on New Year's Day, 1900. He would be invalided from her on 15 April, 1902 (probably with Mediterranean Fever) and not be found fit until 6 October. On 22 October, he was appointed to join the second class protected cruiser Medea.[2]
Pitts first command appointment was in the "C" Class destroyer Thorn from Devonport, starting New Year's Day 1904. On 27 August, he was appointed in command of Leven of the Devonport Reserve.
Pitts was appointed as first officer in London on 8 February, 1910 and was promoted to the rank of Commander in her on 31 December, 1910 before being superseded on 2 January, 1911.[3]
Pitts was appointed to the first class protected cruiser Blenheim in the Mediterranean as executive officer on 18 March, 1914. He was placed in command of the cruiser as Acting Captain on 5 May, 1914 when Captain Charles P. R. Coode was temporarily detached, but this appointment lasted five years![4]
Post-War
On 5 May 1919, though he mentioned Pitts's hard work, Vice-Admiral Calthorpe wrote that Percy, "has had no luck in the new [illeg] his face has gone against him more than anything as he is not of an attractive appearance. Parochial in mind. Not necessarily tactful."[5]
Pitts was appointed in command of the battleship Collingwood on 21 May, 1920.[6]
Pitts was promoted to the rank of Captain on 18 February, 1923.[7]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by George B. Hutton |
Captain of H.M.S. Leven 27 Aug, 1904[8] |
Succeeded by Charles A. Fremantle |
| Preceded by Charles P. R. Coode |
Captain of H.M.S. Blenheim 11 Apr, 1915 – 1 Apr, 1919 |
Succeeded by Gilbert C. W. Crispin |
| Preceded by Gerald W. Vivian |
Captain of H.M.S. Collingwood 21 May, 1920[9] – 27 Jul, 1921 |
Succeeded by ? |
Footnotes
- ↑ Pitts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/241. f. 273.
- ↑ Pitts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/241. f. 273.
- ↑ Pitts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/241. f. 273.
- ↑ Pitts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/241. f. 273.
- ↑ Pitts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/241. f. 273.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 748.
- ↑ Pitts Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/44/241. f. 273.
- ↑ The Navy List. (October, 1904). p. 339.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1920). p. 748.
