INDENTCommodore William Osbert Boothby, C.B., C.V.O. (1866-1913), entered the Royal Navy, 1879 and became a Midshipman, 1881; served in H.M.S. Superb during the Egyptian War, 1882 and was present at the bombardment of Alexandria, 11th. July; Sub. Lieutenant 1885, Lieutenant 1886 and Commander, 1899; served in H.M.S. Endymion during the expedition to China 1900 (Mentioned in Vice Admiral Seymour's Despatch for the attempt to relieve Peking -- London Gazette 10.5.1900 " Commander William O. Boothby of H.M.S. Endymion, in command of the seamen from that ship, and at times of others also. He was in every engagement, and I specially noted his energy and activity"). On 23rd. September 1900, Commander Boothby was awarded the Testimonial by the Royal Humane Society for attempting to save the life of W. E. Kirkham, Leading Seaman, who had fallen overboard from H.M.S. Endymion off Taku Bar, the Pieho; Captain, 1902. On the occasion of King Edward's visit to Reval, Captain Boothby was invested by the Tsar of Russia with the Order of St. Anne 2nd. Class with diamonds (M.V.O.); appointed Naval Assistant to Second Sea Lord, December 1909; Captain of the Home Fleet with the rank of Commodore 1st. Class, 1911 (C.B.); was advanced to Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on the occasion of the Coronation Naval Review at Spithead, 24th. June 1911 and was granted a Good Services Pension later that year (Swedish Order of the Sword May, 1913)

Commodore Boothby's eldest son was killed when First Lieutenant of H.M. Destroyer Gloworm during the epic engagement with the German cruiser Admiral Hipper, April 1940

For related family groups see lots 86 and 120