Charles Thorburn Addis DSO, RN

Born  2 Jul 1898Shanghai, China
Died  21 Dec 1962(64)Goring, Oxfordshire, England, U.K.


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Ranks

2 Aug 1914 Mid.
15 Jan 1917 A/S.Lt.
15 Sep 1917 S.Lt.
15 Aug 1919 Lt.
15 Aug 1927 Lt.Cdr.
31 Dec 1932 Cdr.
30 Jun 1940 Capt.

Retired: 8 Jul 1949


Decorations

1 Jan 1941 Mentioned in Despatches (MID)
5 Jan 1944 DSO

Warship Commands listed for Charles Thorburn Addis, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Scarborough (L 25 / U 25)Cdr.Sloop16 Feb 19403 Jul 1940
HMS Sheffield (24)Capt.Light cruiser12 Feb 194311 Jan 1944
HMS Sheffield (24)Capt.Light cruiser29 Mar 194428 Aug 1944

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Sloop HMS Scarborough (L 25 / U 25)


19 Jun 1940
HMS Scarborough (Cdr C.T. Addis, RN) picks up 30 survivors from the British merchant Baron Loudoun that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-48 west-northwest of Cape Ortegal in position 45°00'N, 11°21'W.

20 Jun 1940
HMS Scarborough (Cdr C.T. Addis, RN) picks up 16 survivors from the British merchant Otterpool that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-30 about 130 nautical miles west of Ushant in position 48°45'N, 08°13'W.


Light cruiser HMS Sheffield (24)


16 Feb 1943
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Seidisfjord. (1)

19 Feb 1943
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) which was en-route to Seidisfjord had been much delayed by heavy weather. Force 10 winds having been encountered while en-route.

Yet around 0800A/19, wind had now increased to Force 11 and two hours later even to Force 12, hurricane force winds.

At 1054A/19, part of the armoured roof of 'A' turret broke off due to the heavy seas. (1)

20 Feb 1943
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) finally arrived at Seidisfjord. She was however unfit to proceed on operations due to the damage she had sustained. (1)

24 Feb 1943
Having effected some temporary repairs, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Seidisfjord for the Clyde where she was to undergo repairs. (1)

26 Feb 1943
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Greenock. She later went up river for repairs and some modifications at Dalmuir.

[No logs are available for March, April and May 1943 so no details can be given for the time she spent at the shipyard.] (2)

6 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) proceeded from Dalmuir to Greenock. (3)

11 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (3)

11 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (3)

12 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (3)

17 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted A/S exercises at Scapa Flow with the French submarine FFS Curie (Lt. P.M. Sonneville). Following these exercises HMS Sheffield conducted torpedo firing exercises. (3)

22 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 22/23 June 1943, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) and HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) both conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (4)

30 Jun 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. These were followed by underway refuelling exercises with the destroyer HMS Savage (Cdr. R.C. Gordon, DSO, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN).

HMS Sheffield then departed Scapa Flow for exercises in the Pentland Firth during which she also served as target for HMS Norfolk (A/Capt. J.S.S. Litchfield-Speer, RN) and a submarine (either HMS Tantalus (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Mackenzie, DSO and Bar, RN) or HMS Thrasher (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Hezlet, DSC, RN). (3)

7 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted torpedo firing and gunnery exercises off Scapa Flow. (5)

15 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Glasgow (Capt. E.M. Evans-Lombe, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) all conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. (6)

16 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the morning HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted radar exercises off Scapa Flow. (5)

22 Jul 1943
HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.L. Burnett, CB, DSO, OBE, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted exercises off Scapa Flow. These included gunnery exercises. (7)

24 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800B/24, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Plymouth. (5)

26 Jul 1943
Around 1045B/26, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Scapa Flow. (5)

26 Jul 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2055B/26, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Plymouth for an anti-blockade breaker patrol off the Bay of Biscay. (8)

31 Jul 1943
Around 1920B/31, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol. (5)

7 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) is docked in No.8 Dock at the Devonport Dockyard and taken in hand for a short refit and repairs. (9)

25 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) is undocked. (9)

29 Aug 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1710A/29, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Plymouth for an anti-blockade breaker patrol off the Bay of Biscay. (10)

7 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945A/29, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol. (10)

10 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1740A/10, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Plymouth for an anti-blockade breaker patrol off the Bay of Biscay. (11)

18 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1015A/18, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) returned to Plymouth from patrol. (12)

21 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0430A/21, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Plymouth for Gibraltar. She is to temporarily join the Mediterranean Fleet. (13)

23 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1100A/23, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Gibraltar.

After having fuelled she departed for Malta around 1900A/23. (12)

25 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115B/25, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Malta from Gibraltar. (12)

27 Sep 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) proceeded from Malta to the Gulf of Salerno via the Straits of Messina. (14)

5 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) and the destroyers HMS Laforey (Capt. H.T. Armstrong, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Lookout (Lt.Cdr. A.G. Forman, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. St.J.R.J. Tyrwhitt, DSC, RN) proceeded from the Gulf of Salerno to Augusta via the Strait of Messina. (15)

9 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) proceeded from Augusta to Malta. (16)

13 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) proceeded from Malta to Naples. (16)

16 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Naples for Taranto. (16)

17 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Taranto from Naples. (16)

28 Oct 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. (16)

3 Nov 1943
The light cruisers HMS Mauritius (Capt. W.W. Davis, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral C.H.J. Harcourt, CBE, RN) and HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) conducted exercises in the Gulf of Taranto. (17)

8 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Taranto for Malta. On board are Vice-Admiral A.J. Power, CB, CVO, RN and his staff for passage. (18)

9 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Malta from Taranto. (18)

18 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Malta for Mers-el-Kebir. (18)

19 Nov 1943
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Mers-el-Kebir from Malta.

Admiral of the Fleet, Sir A.B. Cunningham, GCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN, then hoisted his flag in HMS Sheffield. (18)

20 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Admiral of the Fleet, Sir A.B. Cunningham, GCB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN, struck his flag on-board HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN). (18)

21 Nov 1943
Around 0800A/21, HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Gibraltar having parted company with the US ships around 0530A/21.

Around 1815A/21, she departed Gibraltar to return to the U.K. (18)

24 Nov 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Gibraltar. (18)

5 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. (19)

7 Dec 1943 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Plymouth. (19)

13 Apr 1944

Operation Pitchbowl.

The object of this operation was to provide fighter protection to RAF Beaufighters operating in two strikes against shipping in the Norwegian Leads.

The light cruiser HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN), heavy cruiser HMS Berwick (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN), escort carriers HMS Emperor (A/Capt. T.J.N. Hilken, DSO, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN), HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and the destroyers HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Onslaught (Cdr. the Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN) and ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski) left Scapa Flow to proceed to the flying off position in 62°00'N, 02°30'E.

Visibility was poor throughout the day and no flying was possible. On the following day, the first RAF strike was postponed owing to bad weather conditions and the force reversed its course.

In the afternoon of the 14th there was no improvement in the weather and the second RAF strike was also cancelled. The following day was the weather was the same and the operation was now abandoned. The force then returned to Scapa Flow arriving in the afternoon of the 15th. (20)

17 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for the Clyde. (21)

18 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (21)

21 Apr 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) proceeded to the Scotts Shipyard for some alterations. (21)

2 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) conducted trials and exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

9 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Scapa Flow. (22)

10 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow from Greenock. (22)

11 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) conducted D/G and Asdic trials at Scapa Flow. (22)

25 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) conducted exercises to the west of the Orkney's. These included a bombardment exercise. (22)

31 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises at Scapa Flow. She then left Scapa Flow for A/S exercises followed by exercises with aircraft. On completion of these exercises she returned to Scapa Flow. (22)

9 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) conducted torpedo firing exercises at Scapa Flow. (23)

20 Jun 1944

Operation Wanderers.

The object of this operation was to create a diversion in Norwegian waters so that the enemy was tempted to retain his large U-boat force in that area.

The light cruisers HMS Royalist (Capt. M.H. Evelegh, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral A.W.la T. Bisset, RN), HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN), escort carriers HMS Striker (Capt. W.P. Carne, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN) and the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. M. Richmond, DSO, OBE, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Musketeer (Cdr. R.L. Fisher, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Wakeful (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Pound, DSC, RN) and WESSEX departed Scapa Flow on 20 June 1944.

No actual U-boats were sighted by the aircraft from the escort carriers.

The Force returned to Scapa Flow on 25 June 1944. (24)

28 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) departed Scapa Flow for Greenock. (23)

29 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from Scapa Flow. (23)

18 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Boston, USA, where she is to undergo a major refit. (25)

25 Jul 1944
HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.T. Addis, DSO, RN) arrived at the South Boston Navy Yard. She was soon taken in hand for refit. (26)

Sources

  1. ADM 53/118525 + ADM 199/644
  2. ADM 53/118525
  3. ADM 53/118526
  4. ADM 53/117260 + ADM 53/118526
  5. ADM 53/118527
  6. ADM 53/117015 + ADM 53/117577 + ADM 53/118527
  7. ADM 53/117015 + ADM 53/118527
  8. ADM 53/118527 + ADM 199/2278
  9. ADM 53/118528
  10. ADM 53/118528 + ADM 199/2275
  11. ADM 53/118529 + ADM 199/2276
  12. ADM 53/118529
  13. ADM 53/118529 + ADM 199/2277
  14. ADM 53/117902 + ADM 53/118529 + ADM 199/641
  15. ADM 53/117903 + ADM 53/118530
  16. ADM 53/118530
  17. ADM 53/117904 + ADM 53/118531
  18. ADM 53/118531
  19. ADM 53/118532
  20. ADM 53/118996 + ADM 53/119343 + ADM 53/119422 + ADM 53/120283 + ADM 53/120421 + ADM 53/120485 + ADM 199/1427
  21. ADM 53/120485
  22. ADM 53/120486
  23. ADM 53/120487
  24. ADM 53/119424 + ADM 53/120423 + ADM 53/120487 + ADM 53/120560 + ADM 199/1427
  25. ADM 53/120488 + ADM 199/2570
  26. ADM 53/120488

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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