Hugh Tothill

Sir Hugh Tothill
1918 portrait by Francis Dodd
Born 14 March 1865
Died 25 September 1927 (aged 62)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch Royal Navy
Rank Admiral
Commands held HMS Illustrious
HMS Lancaster
HMS Conqueror
East Indies Station
Battles/wars World War I
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

Admiral Sir Hugh Henry Darby Tothill, (14 March 1865 – 25 September 1927) was a Royal Navy officer who served as captain in World War I and went on to become commander-in-chief of East Indies Station following his promotion to admiral.

Naval career

Tothill was promoted to lieutenant in 1888, commander on 31 December 1900, and subsequently to captain in 1906. He was in command of the training brig HMS Nautilus from 20 January 1898 until 31 December 1900. In March 1900 he re-commissioned the brig at Devonport with a complement of boys for the annual training cruise. After promotion to commander, he was in January 1901 posted to the armoured cruiser HMS Australia, serving in home waters.

Having received command of HMS Illustrious by 1908 and HMS Lancaster by 1911, he served in World War I, commanding HMS Conqueror at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

He was appointed Fourth Sea Lord in 1917 and served as Commander-in-chief at East Indies Station from 1919 to 1921 before becoming Admiral Commanding the Reserves in 1923. He retired from military service in 1926 and died in 1927.