Rear-Admiral Geoffrey Robert Sladen Watkins, D.S.O., (31 July, 1885 – 30 July, 1950) was an officer in the Royal Navy.
Watkins was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April, 1908. Captain Hall noted that Watkins was "Zealous. Very seasick".
Watkins was fortunate to be one of just three men to survive the ramming and loss of C 11 by a steamer on the night of 14 July, 1909. Watkins had been second-in-command on the submarine. Lieutenant & Commander Charles Gordon Brodie would be awarded the Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal and Certificate for saving his life.
Watkins was appointed in command of the submarine B 6 on 14 August, 1911.
Watkins ran two experimental torpedoes ashore in Sandown Bay in 1920 and was found therein to have violated "Portsmouth General Order No. 668 of 22.5.20."
Watkins was appointed in command of the submarine K 15 on 9 August, 1920.
Watkins was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1920.
On 11 November, 1921, torpedo number 1166 was lost from "K 5" (perhaps K 15 is meant) and a Court of Enquiry two days later cleared Watkins of fault, though it noted that he was using maximum air pressure in these torpedoes when minimum was mandated.
He was appointed to the light cruiser Dauntless as executive officer on 27 December, 1924. He was superseded in November, 1926 and in early 1927 was lent to the Royal Air Force for "instruction in Air Matters."
Watkins was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1928.
Watkins was appointed in command of the light cruiser Champion in April, 1930.
He was scolded for hoisting the French national flag in H.M.S. Mackay while on passage from England in 1935 — an act that was deemed to have betrayed a serious lack of judgment.
On 6 May, 1938 he was appointed to Cormorant additional as Chief Staff Officer to Rear Admiral, Gibraltar vice Thomas Balfour Fellowes.
1946 List@ Captain Geoffrey R S Watkins DSO RN
1947 List: Rear Admiral Geoffrey R S Watkins DSO