William Edward James Eames DSC, RN
| Born | 21 Feb 1904 |
| Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for William Edward James Eames, RN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| HMS Veteran (D 72) | Cdr. | Destroyer | 6 Jul 1941 | 19 Aug 1942 |
| HMS Pheasant (U 49) | Cdr. | Sloop | 20 Jan 1944 | Dec 1944 |
Career information
He was born 21 Feb.1904, possibly in Australia, and educated at the Royal Australian Naval College (1918-22). As a Midshipman he served in the Hood (World Cruise 1923-24). In 1936, as a Lieutenant Commander, he commanded the Sandpiper, the smallest of the river gunboats in China. She was usually deployed at Changsha on the Xiang River, and she was at that place on 6 September 1938 when Japanese aircraft attacked her. The ship was damaged but there were no casualties. As the Japanese armies approached, Eames took over the role of Consul and arranged for Europeans of all nationalities to leave the area. His services were recognised with early promotion to the rank of Commander.
On the outbreak of World War II he was drafting commander at the RN Barracks, Devonport, and implemented mobilisation plans; then Executive Officer of the Argus, an aircraft carrier. From early 1941 until September 1942 he commanded escort groups in the North Atlantic. From Sept. 1942 to June 1943 he served on the staff of the Admiralty as advisor on convoy escorts, and also took part in a delegation to Washington. From July 1943 to the end of the war he again commanded escort groups in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
After the war he had various appointments including the Admiralty and Malta, and was Naval attache to Belgium and the Netherlands 1949-54 (Order of Orange confered in 1951). He retired in 1954.
Events related to this officer
Destroyer HMS Veteran (D 72)
11 Sep 1941
The German submarine U-207 was sunk in the Straits of Denmark south-east of Angmassalik, Greenland, in position 63º59'N, 34º48'W, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN) and HMS Veteran (Cdr. W.E.J. Eames, RN).
3 Jul 1942
HMS Veteran took over the attack on U-215 from the British ASW Trawler HMS Le Tiger with depth charges and Hedgehog. U-215 was sunk but credited to Le Tiger.