Peter Piper (Royal Navy officer)

Captain Aston Dalzell Piper, DSO, DSC & Two Bars, RD (19 April 1913 – 8 November 1995), known as Peter Piper, was an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve in the Second World War. He was notable for two events: he was the first reservist to command a submarine, and the first reservist officer to receive the Distinguished Service Cross in the Second World War.[1]

Aston Dalzell Piper
Nickname(s)Peter
Born(1913-04-19)19 April 1913
Dovercourt, England
Died8 November 1995(1995-11-08) (aged 82)
Exeter, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchRoyal Naval Reserve
Years of service1932–1950
1951–1966
RankCaptain
Commands heldHMS Sirdar (1945)
HMS Tribune (1944–45)
HMS Unsparing (1942–44)
HMS H34 (1942)
Battles/warsSecond World War
AwardsDistinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Cross & Two Bars
Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve
Ardingly College

Early life and career

Piper was educated at Dovercourt High School, followed by Ardingly College.[2] He spent three years in the Merchant Navy, mostly with the United Baltic Steamship Line. During his time in the Merchant Navy, he served on, amongst other ships, the SS Baltraffic as navigator.[2] He joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 18 March 1932.[1][2]

Piper started training for submarines in 1937, on HMS H49, in which he stayed until February 1938.[1][2] On 8 November 1939, he was made navigating officer of HMS Ursula, before winning the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) in December 1939.[1] In 1941, he was promoted to first lieutenant on HMS Unbeaten. While aboard Unbeaten, he won two Bars to his DSC: one for "successful and aggressive patrols", and one for the sinking of U-374.[1]

Piper then commanded HMS Upspring for fourteen patrols, sinking several ships and on one occasion scoring four hits with four torpedoes.[1] For these patrols he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.[1]

References
  1. Wilson, Alastair; Callo, Joseph F. (2004). Who's Who in Naval History (1. publ. ed.). London: Routledge. p. 248. ISBN 9780415308281.
  2. Unit Histories. Hans Houterman & Jeroen Koppes http://www.unithistories.com/officers/RNR_officersP.html. Retrieved 4 November 2013. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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