World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Surry, England, he served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve. On July 30, 1918, Lieutenant Auten was in command of the H.M.S. Stock Force in the English Channel, off the coast of England. Suddenly his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat and very badly damaged. Lieutenant Auten ordered a party to take to life boats and the U-boat surfaced half a mile away, when the life boats began to row back, followed by the U-boat. The U-boat lay about 300 yards from the H.M.S. Stock Force, when her guns opened fire, doing tremendous damage to the submarine, which sank in a very short time. Nearing a safe harbor, the H.M.S. Stock Force finally sank, with Lieutenant Auten and his crew being taken safely off by a torpedo boat to shore. For most prestigious gallantry, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on November 20, 1918. During World War II, he held the rank of Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve as a senior staff organizing trans-Atlantic convoys. He later became executive Vice-President of the Rank Organization in the United States until his death at age 73.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Surry, England, he served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve. On July 30, 1918, Lieutenant Auten was in command of the H.M.S. Stock Force in the English Channel, off the coast of England. Suddenly his ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat and very badly damaged. Lieutenant Auten ordered a party to take to life boats and the U-boat surfaced half a mile away, when the life boats began to row back, followed by the U-boat. The U-boat lay about 300 yards from the H.M.S. Stock Force, when her guns opened fire, doing tremendous damage to the submarine, which sank in a very short time. Nearing a safe harbor, the H.M.S. Stock Force finally sank, with Lieutenant Auten and his crew being taken safely off by a torpedo boat to shore. For most prestigious gallantry, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on November 20, 1918. During World War II, he held the rank of Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve as a senior staff organizing trans-Atlantic convoys. He later became executive Vice-President of the Rank Organization in the United States until his death at age 73.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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