Leslie Bennington

Leslie Bennington
Born 20 February 1912
Died 1981
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Years of service 1933-1960
Rank Captain
Commands held
Battles/wars Second World War
Awards DSO & Bar
DSC & Two Bars

Captain Leslie William Abel Bennington DSO & Bar, DSC & Two Bars (20 February 1912 – 1981) was a British Royal Navy officer, who was highly decorated for his actions as a submarine commander during the Second World War.

Military career

Bennington received his commission into the Royal Navy on 1 September 1933.[1] He undertook a promotion course at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich and became a submariner. Between 1935 and October 1938 he served on various submarines in the Home Fleet and Mediterranean, before becoming First Lieutenant on HMS Swordfish. He then transferred to HMS Tigris, and on 13 November 1940 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during an engagement involving the submarine.[2] He received his first command in January 1941, becoming Commanding Officer of HMS H28.[3]

On 11 May 1942 he took command of HMS Porpoise. He was made a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order on 20 December 1942 for his successful patrols in the Mediterranean as commander of Porpoise, during which seven enemy ships were sunk.[4] On 25 January 1943 he became Commanding Officer of HMS Tally-Ho, operating in the Far East. On 11 April 1944 Bennington was awarded a Bar to his DSO for the successful attack on the Japanese cruiser Kuma during the action of 11 January 1944.[5] He also commanded Tally-Ho during the action of 14 February 1944, for which he was awarded a Bar to his DSC on 6 June 1944.[6] On 20 February 1945 he was awarded a second Bar to his DSC for "outstanding courage, skill and undaunted devotion to duty" while in command of HMS Tally-Ho.[7]

Between April 1945 and April 1946 Bennington served with Naval Equipment Department at the Admiralty, before taking command of HMS Aurora prior to her sale to the Chinese in May 1948. He then served with various vessels as Executive Officer, before taking command of the HMS Gamecock airbase from 1953 to 1955. Between December 1955 and January 1957 Bennington served as Captain of Dockyard, Deputy Superintendent and Queen's Harbour Master at the Malta Dockyard. He retired on 7 July 1960 with the rank of Captain.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 'Bennington, Leslie William Abel' in Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945 at unithistories.com, retrieved 21 January 2016
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 34991. p. 6549. 13 November 1940. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  3. ↑ 'Bennington, Leslie William Abel' in Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945 at unithistories.com, retrieved 21 January 2016
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 35838. p. 5645. 29 December 1942. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36464. p. 1677. 11 April 1944. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36551. p. 2704. 6 June 1944. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  7. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36947. p. 995. 20 February 1945. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  8. ↑ 'Bennington, Leslie William Abel' in Royal Navy (RN) Officers 1939-1945 at unithistories.com, retrieved 21 January 2016
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