Admiral Sir James Startin, K.C.B., A.M., (20 May, 1855 – 25 September, 1948).
Life and Career
For his service in the South African War, Startin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 6 November 1879.
Startin was appointed to the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert on 2 July 1889.
He was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 1 September 1891.
Captain
For his services in Benin, Startin was specially promoted to the rank of Captain on 25 May 1897.
He was appointed in command of the 2nd class cruiser Arethusa on 14 November 1899, and recommissioned her exactly two years later.
He was appointed captain of H.M.S. Jupiter in September 1903, remaining there until mid-August of 1905.
He was relieved in command of Commonwealth on 28 December 1905, "with regret" by the Board after it reviewed the Court Martial on the stranding of the repair ship in Assistance in Tetuan Bay in October. The Board believed Startin had shown a want of appreciation of responsibilities as Senior Officer present.
Flag Rank
Startin was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 13 February 1907 and became Rear-Admiral in the Channel Fleet on 1 October 1908.
An officer of the Accountant Branch of the Navy later recalled of Startin:
Captain Startin was a fearless horseman, a gymnast and an athlete. In 1900, when the Boxer campaign was going forward, they sent the Arethusa across to China, and we finished our commission on that station. At Hongkong the captain ran and walked up and then down the Peak in record time.
Then there was the occasion on which he and the heads of Departments went to call on the Chinese Viceroy at Nanking. Dressed in frock coats with epaulettes, cocked hats and swords, the captain, chief engineer, paymaster, surgeon and lieutenant of Marines crowded into a dog-cart and drove the eight miles from the river to the Viceroy's house. After the ceremonial call was ended they set out to return. Captain Startin began to get restless. "I've had enough of this," he said suddenly. Off came his sword and cocked hat, he leapt from the dog-cart and ran the remaining miles back to the river.
While we were up the Yangtse some fine men of the China Inland Mission came on board and had a talk and prayer meeting in the captain's cabin. At the end the captain jumped up impulsively and cried: "Now we'll stand up and sing 'Dare to be a Daniel' and those who don't dare can remain seated!" We all stood up!
He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 19 September 1911.
Startin was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January 1914.
The Great War
In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December 1903, Startin was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 14 September 1914 to take up an appointment in the Royal Naval Reserve. He was granted a temporary commission as Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve on 18 September, and a temporary Commission as a Commander on 24 September.
He was promoted to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 24 October 1915.
On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 4 June 1917.
On 20 August 1918, Startin was awarded the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea. The account of his actions read:
An explosion occurred on board H.M. Motor Launch 64, on the 10th June, 1918. Immediately after the explosion Commodore Startin proceeded alongside M.L. 64, the engine-room of which was still burning fiercely. On learning that the engineer was below, he sprang down the hatch without the slightest hesitation, and succeeded in recovering the body practically unaided.
In view of the fact that the bulkhead between the engine-room and the forward tanks had been blown down by the force of the explosion, and that the fire was blazing upon the side and on the top of the forward tanks, which are composed of exceedingly thin metal and were consequently liable to burst at any moment, the action of Commodore Startin in entering the engine-room before the fire was subdued showed the utmost possible gallantry and disregard of personal safety. Had the engineer not been past human aid he would undoubtedly have owed his life entirely to the courage and promptitude of Commodore Startin.
Retirement
Startin died on 25 September 1948 at Wyndlawn, Hayling Island, at the age of ninety-three, from post-operative carcinoma of the caccum and arterio sclerosis. His funeral took place at St. Mary's Church, Hayling Island on Tuesday 28 September.