Norman Wodehouse facts for kids

Vice Admiral Norman Atherton Wodehouse (born May 18, 1887 – died July 4, 1941) was a brave officer in the Royal Navy. He was sadly killed during the Second World War.

Before his naval career, he was also a very talented rugby player. He played for the England national team 14 times. He was even captain for six of those games between 1910 and 1913. At the time of his death, Wodehouse was leading a group of merchant ships as a convoy commodore. His ship was sunk by a German U-boat (submarine).

A Life at Sea

Norman Wodehouse joined the Royal Navy in 1902. By 1904, he was serving as a midshipman in the Atlantic Fleet.

During the First World War, Wodehouse was a gunnery officer on the battleship HMS Revenge. This means he was in charge of the ship's big guns. He fought in the famous Battle of Jutland.

After the war, he was chosen for a special role. He became an aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to King George VI. He was also given a special award, becoming a Companion of the Order of the Bath.

From 1931 to 1934, he was in charge of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. This is a very important school where future naval officers are trained.

Just before the Second World War began, Wodehouse became the Rear Admiral in charge of the naval base at Gibraltar. He held this important job until November 1939.

In 1940, he officially retired from the Navy. However, in 1941, he returned to duty as a Convoy Commodore. This meant he was responsible for leading groups of merchant ships safely across the ocean. These ships carried important supplies during the war.

His Final Mission

On July 4, 1941, Vice Admiral Wodehouse was on the merchant ship Robert L. Holt. He was leading a convoy of ships heading to South Africa. They were in the Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Canary Islands.

German submarines, specifically U-69, attacked the convoy. To protect the other ships, Wodehouse bravely ordered his convoy to scatter. This meant the ships would spread out, making it harder for the submarines to hit them all.

Sadly, the Robert L. Holt was then attacked by U-69. The submarine used its deck gun to sink the ship. All 56 people on board, including Vice Admiral Wodehouse, were lost at sea.

His Family Life

Norman Wodehouse married Theodosia Frances Swire in 1923. She was a widow with a daughter from her first marriage.

Together, Norman and Theodosia had two sons:

• Rev. Armine Boyle Wodehouse (1924-2017)
• Charles Norman Boyle Wodehouse (1927-2011)

Want to Learn More?

• List of England rugby union footballers killed in the World Wars