Charles Finnigan

Updated on Oct 21, 2023

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Name Charles Finnigan

Charles Joseph Finnigan, C.B., L.D.S.(1901-1967) was a Scottish dental surgeon who became Surgeon Rear-Admiral (D) in the United Kingdom's Royal Navy. He served as Honorary Dental Surgeon to the Queen from 1955 to 1960.

Life

Finnigan was born on 3 April 1901 at Lawside House, Dundee. His father was Andrew Finnigan, a Spirit Dealer, and his mother was Margaret Breslin. They were married on 26 Sept 1890 at Lochee, Dundee. He was educated at Harris Academy, Dundee. He graduated at St. Andrews University in 1923 having qualified as a dental surgeon. Shortly after graduation in 1923, he joined the Royal Navy as a dental surgeon. In 1937, he married Milifred Kathleen Dudgeon in Hong Kong and they had a son John A. Finnigan who also entered the Royal Navy. He died on 27 July 1967 at the Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, London, at the age of 66. His photographic portrait is available at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Naval career

Before World War Two he served as dental surgeon on the following vessels: H.M. Ships, Delhi, Norfolk, Dorsetshire and Achilles, and also on the China Station.

1929 — Appointed Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander

1932-33 — HMS Dorsetshire

1933 — HMS Achilles

1936 — Appointed Surgeon Commander

1937-39 — RN Hospital, Hong Kong

1939-45 — Served in the United Kingdom, Africa, Italy and Malta. Made acting Surgeon Captain while on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet, and served as Fleet Dental Surgeon.

1949 — Confirmed in the rank of Surgeon Captain and served on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth

1955 — Made Honorary Dental Surgeon to the Queen

1957-60 — Appointed Surgeon Rear Admiral and Deputy Director General, Dental Services at the Admiralty.

1960 — Retired from the Royal Navy and made Companion of the Order of the Bath (C.B.)

References

Charles Finnigan Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Life

Naval career

References