Richard Micaiah Towgood Peacock, RN

Born  3 Mar 1909


If you can help with photo or any information on this Officer please
use our comment form
.

Ranks

1 May 1929 A/S.Lt.
1 Jan 1930 S.Lt.
1 Oct 1931 Lt.
1 Oct 1939 Lt.Cdr.
3 Mar 1954 Cdr. (retired)

Retired: 3 Mar 1954


Decorations

Warship Commands listed for Richard Micaiah Towgood Peacock, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Parthian (N 75)Lt.Cdr.Submarine18 Aug 194016 Sep 1940
HMS Tetrarch (N 77)Lt.Cdr.Submarine15 Nov 19403 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (N 62)Lt.Cdr.Submarine3 Jul 1941Nov 41 ?

Career information

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

Events related to this officer

Submarine HMS Parthian (N 75)


19 Aug 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Ionian Sea.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Parthian during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

31 Aug 1940 (position 37.45, 18.22)
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) attacked the Italian cruisers Giuseppe Garibaldi and Luigi di Savoia Duca Degli Abruzzi in the Ionian Sea about 105 nautical miles east-south-east of Cape Spartivento, Italy in position 37°45'N, 18°22'E. All torpedoes fired missed their targets.

The two cruisers had sortied from Taranto escorted by the destroyers Nicoloso Da Recco, Antoniotto Usodimare and Emanuele Pessagno (16th Squadron) for a sweep of the Ionian Sea and had made their junction with the cruisers of the 7th Division (Eugenio Di Savoia, Raimondo Montecuccoli, Emanuele Filiberto Duca D’Aosta and Muzio Attendolo screened by the destroyers Antonio Pigafetta, Alvise Da Mosto, Giovanni Da Verrazzano and Nicolò Zeno of the 15th Squadron). A lookout from the cruiser Abruzzi had spotted a periscope only 300 metres away followed shortly after by the bubbles typical of a discharge of torpedoes and then by two torpedo tracks. At the time of the attack, the three destroyers of the 16th Division were deployed ahead of the cruisers while the four destroyers were deployed on the left flank in single file led by Pigafetta. It was believed by the Italians – correctly – that the submarine had managed to sneak under the Pigafetta section. Although it was later circulated that the light cruiser Abruzzi had been damaged in this action, the Naval Intelligence Division remained unconvinced. It had been a daring but unrewarded attack.

(All times are zone -3)
1435 hours - When in position 37°47'N, 18°25'E the officer of the watch (S.Lt. G.D.N. Milner, RN) reported two warships hull down.

1439 hours - Started attack on the right-hand vessel.

1442 hours - Broke off the attack as the target was seen to be one of five Navigatori-class destroyers.

1443 hours - Two Zara-class cruisers were in sight. Started attack on the leading ship. Range was 8000 yards.

1452 hours - Fired six torpedoes from 350 yards. Speed of the enemy was estimated at 24 knots. Two explosions were heard after 13 and 16 seconds. Parthian had gone deep on firing. The second cruiser passed overhead when Parthian was at 60 feet.

1507 hours - Depth charging started. Only nine depth charges were dropped and none were close.

1610 hours - No more HE was heard.

1720 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight. (1)

13 Sep 1940
HMS Parthian (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 6th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. She collided while berthing with HMS Rainbow (Lt.Cdr. L.P. Moore, RN) (Friday the 13th!). (1)


Submarine HMS Tetrarch (N 77)


15 Nov 1940
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked in No.2 Dry Dock at the Malta Dockyard. (2)

16 Nov 1940
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was undocked. (2)

24 Nov 1940
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Malta for her 8th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Adriatic, to the North of latitude 42N.

For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.

(1)

15 Dec 1940
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 8th war patrol (3rd in the Mediterranean) at Malta. (1)

28 Dec 1940
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Malta for her 9th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off the Gulf of Taranto.

For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

9 Jan 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered to leave her patrol area and proceed to Piraeus, Greece. (3)

12 Jan 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) arrives at Piraeus, Greece. (3)

15 Jan 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departs Piraeus for Alexandria. (3)

19 Jan 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 9th war patrol (4th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (3)

31 Jan 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) conducts exercises of Alexandria with the British destroyers HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall-A'Deane, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO, RN). (4)

2 Feb 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 10th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghazi.

Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with HMS Sindonis (Ch.Skr. G. Rawding, RNR) and HMS Kingston Coral (Skr. W. Kirman, RNR).

For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.


View HMS Tetrarch 10th war patrol in a larger map (5)

4 Feb 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered not to patrol of Benghazi anymore as that port was being abandoned by the Italians. She was now ordered to patrol off Tripoli instead. (5)

20 Feb 1941
After a blank patrol in which nothing of the enemy was sighted except a few aircraft, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 10th war patrol (5th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (5)

14 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 11th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Tripoli.

For the daily positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

16 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) developed cracks on the Starboard engine. She non the less continued the patrol. (5)

17 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered to patrol in the Adriatic. Course was set accordingly.

Later this day further cracks were discovered on the Starboard engine. A signal was sent to inform the Captain of the 1st submarine flotilla of the situation. (5)

18 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) is ordered to return to Alexandria to repair the Starboard engine. Course was set accordingly. (5)

21 Mar 1941
At 0320 hours, in position 275°- Ras El Tin (Alexandria) – 36.5 nautical miles, HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) sighted what was at first believed to be a U-boat. Nine minutes later, after the vessel had failed to answer repeated challenges, she fired a salvo of six torpedoes at the range of 2000 yds but fortunately missed. This was the ex Italian Zingarella (190 GRT) being brought to Alexandria with a prize crew. The submarine closed to 500 yards and fired one round before the mistake was realised.

Later the same day HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 11th war patrol (6th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (5)

24 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked at Alexandria in the Gabbari Dry Dock. (6)

25 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was undocked. (6)

31 Mar 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 12th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Sirte and off Tripoli.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

4 Apr 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) fired two torpedoes at a 1500 tons merchant vessel anchored off Burat. No hits were obtained.

The target was most likely the Italian merchant Silvio Scaroni (1394 GRT, built 1920).

(All times are zone -3)
0955 hours - Sighted masts of vessels anchored off Burat. Closed.

1140 hours - Confirmed that there were four ships at anchor. One appeared to be an armed ocean going tug of about 800 tons. Of the remainder one was a vessel of about 1500 tons, the other two being smaller. It was decided to wait till sunset and then fire two torpedoes, one at the tug and one at the 1500 tons vessel.

1600 hours - The armed tug weighted anchor and proceeded Westward.

1918 hours - Fired a torpedo at the 1500 tons vessel from 5000 yards. The torpedo was seen to break surface so another torpedo was fired at this ship. No hits were obtained.

2025 hours - Surfaced and proceeded Eastwards.

(5)

7 Apr 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) engages two schooners with gunfire off El Brega. After it was thought Tetrarch was being fired upon from El Brega fort the action was broken off.

(All times are zone -3)
1100 hours - Arrived off El Brega. A heavy swell was running. Sighted two schooners at anchor. Later one was seen to be a wreck, the other was in ballast.

1915 hours - Surfaced and engaged the schooners with the 4" gun from a range of 5000 yards. One or two shots burst on El Brega fort and it was reported that the fort was opening fire (this was however not the case). Dived and hit the bottom at 11 fathoms. When the mistake was realised and Tetrarch was in an attack position again it was too dark to resume gun action. Proceeded along the coast to the West. (5)

10 Apr 1941
At 2202 hours (zone -3) HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) received a signal ordered her to proceed with despatch towards Tripoli. (5)

12 Apr 1941 (position 33.29, 13.01)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian tanker Persiano (2474 GRT, built 1889) about 30 nautical miles north-west of Tripoli, Libya in position 33°29'N, 13°01'E.

(All times are zone -3)
0830 hours - Sighted a convoy consisting of five merchant vessels, 3 destroyers and 1 aircraft overhead in position 340° Tripoli light, 37 nautical miles. The course of the convoy was 150° estimated speed was 10 knots. Started attack.

Fired four torpedoes at the nearest leading ship (a laden 8000 tons tanker). Range was 4500 yards. Went deep upon firing as the aircraft was near. One explosion was heard after the correct time interval.

Following the attack Tetrarch was hunted for 3 hours by the escorts, 9 depth charges were dropped but these did no damage.

1200 hours - Came to periscope depth and saw the tanker bearing 180° distance about 5 nautical miles. She was listing heavily with her stern awash and on fire aft. Considered her a total loss so retired to the North.

1610 hours - Depth charging recommenced astern. 15 depth charges were dropped but these were way off.

2027 hours - Surfaced and proceeded Northwards.

The convoy attacked was made up of the above mentioned tanker Persiano, the Italian merchants Bosforo (3648 GRT, built 1929), Ogaden (4553 GRT, built 1905) and the Italian tanker Superga (6154 GRT, built 1923). They were escorted by the Italian torpedo boats Generale Carlo Montanari, Giuseppe Missori and Perseo. [The torpedo-boat Montanari sighted the torpedo tracks and took avoiding action but Persiano was hit and sunk. The torpedo-boat was ordered to attack the submarine and then rescue the survivors. The torpedo-boats Partenope and Polluce sailed from Tripoli to assist her.] (5)

13 Apr 1941
At 2100 hours (zone -3) HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was ordered to intercept a convoy but as Tetrarch was not in a position to intercept it course was set for Alexandria. (5)

20 Apr 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 12th war patrol (7th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (5)

1 May 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked at Alexandria in the Gabbari Dry Dock. (7)

5 May 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was undocked. (7)

6 May 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 13th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol off Benghazi.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.

(5)

18 May 1941 (position 31.55, 19.55)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) torpedoed and sank the Italian merchant Giovinezza (2362 GRT, built 1925) off Bengasi, Libya in position 31°55'N, 19°55'E.

(All times are zone -3)
1254 hours - Sighted one merchant vessel bearing 285°, distance 7 nautical miles. Started attack.

1310 hours - Sighted a destroyer that was escorting the merchant vessel.

1446 hours - Fired four torpedoes from 6000 yards. It was thought that all four torpedoes were heard to explode on the shore (this was however not the case).

1453 hours - Depth charging started.

1515 hours - Bottomed at 150 feet.

1600 hours - Depth charging ceased. In all 18 depth charges were dropped.

[According to Italian sources Giovinezza was escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Polluce which dropped 20 depth charges all set to 25 metres (the depth in the area was 40 metres) then returned to pick up the survivors. By then most of them had rowed to shore in two life boats and the torpedo-boat picked up only one survivor. In all there were 42 survivors (including five wounded), two were killed and another was missing.] (5)

25 May 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 13th war patrol (8th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (5)

6 Jun 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Alexandria for her 14th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean). She was ordered to patrol in the Aegean.

For the daily and attack positions of HMS Tetrarch during this patrol see the map below.

(3)

25 Jun 1941 (position 35.55, 27.16)
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) engages the Italian motor sailing vessel Alleanza off Cape Paraspori, Greece in approximate position 35°55'N, 27°16'E. As the 4" gun malfunctioned after the first round the action was broken off.

(All times are zone -2)
0515 hours - Sighted a small sailing vessel approaching from the Eastwards.

0600 hours - In position 045° Cape Paraspori, Greece 2 nautical miles engaged with gunfire. After the first round the gun failed to run out. Gave the target 2 pans of the Lewis gun and then dived. Before opening fire the vessel was seen to fly the Italian flag that was replaced shortly afterwards with the Greek flag. (3)

28 Jun 1941
HMS Tetrarch (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) ended her 14th war patrol (9th in the Mediterranean) at Alexandria. (3)

3 Jul 1941
Lt.Cdr. G.H. Greenway, RN takes over command of HMS Tetrarch from Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN.

Lt.Cdr. Peacock was relieved because of his lack of initiative shown on previous patrols. (8)


Submarine HMS Rover (N 62)


7 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) shifted from Port Said to Suez. (9)

8 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Suez for Aden.

By now it had been decided to sent Rover to Singapore for full repairs and refit. She was able to make the passage under her own power.

For the daily positions of HMS Rover during this passage to Singapore see the map below.

(9)

13 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) arrived at Aden. (9)

14 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Aden for Colombo. (9)

22 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) arrived at Colombo. (9)

26 Jul 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) departed Colombo for Singapore. (9)

1 Aug 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) arrived at Singapore. (10)

4 Aug 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) conducted diving trials off Singapore. (10)

14 Aug 1941
HMS Rover (Lt.Cdr. R.M.T. Peacock, RN) was docked at Singapore and commenced her refit. (10)

Sources

  1. ADM 199/283
  2. ADM 173/16596
  3. ADM 199/1152
  4. ADM 173/17016
  5. ADM 199/1849
  6. ADM 173/17018
  7. ADM 173/17020
  8. ADM 173/17022
  9. ADM 173/16950
  10. ADM 173/16951

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


You can help improve officers Richard Micaiah Towgood Peacock's page
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this officer.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve his page.

Allied Commanders main page