#10974, Walter De Mouchet BAYNHAM

For many years he was Marine Superintendent in London of the Orient Line and was formerly one of the best known masters in the Australian service.
After 12 months' naval service he returned to his duties with the Orient Company in 1908 as chief officer of the Ormus. He later became chief officer of the Otway on her maiden voyage to Australia and was appointed commander of the Ophir two years later. When the earlier Otranto was taken over as a cruiser during the war he became navigating commander of the ship and held the rank until late 1917. During his service on the Otranto he was at the battle of Coronel attached in Admiral Craddock's squadron.

Captain Sir Walter de Mouchet Baynham commanded the Ormonde on her first voyage to Australia in 1918 when she brought home Australian invalids. Shortly after the war he became Marine Superintendent of the Orient Line. He was knighted early in 1920 when six sea captains representing members of the Empire shipping services were selected for the honour. He is survived by Lady Baynham who is a daughter of the late Dr Chevallier Preston of Christchurch, New Zealand and a son and daughter.

Extracted from Trove