Charles Finnigan

Charles Finnigan was born on 3 April 1901 at Lawside House, Dundee. His father was Andrew Finnigan, a liquor salesman, and his mother was Margaret Breslin. They were married on 26 Sept 1890 at Lochee, Dundee.^[1]

Charles was educated at Harris Academy, Dundee.^[2] He graduated at St. Andrews University in 1923 having qualified as a dental surgeon.^[3] 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 Military Hospital, London, at the age of 66.^[3] His photographic portrait is available at the National Portrait Gallery, London.^[4]

• 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.^[3]
• 1929 — Appointed Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander^[3]
• 1932-33 — HMS Dorsetshire^[5]
• 1933 — HMS Achilles^[5]
• 1936 — Appointed Surgeon Commander^[3]
• 1937-39 — RN Hospital, Hong Kong^[5]
• 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.^[3]
• 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.)^[3]