Augustus Willington Shelton Agar

Sank a cruiser by motor boat and led survivors through peril

Commodore Augustus Willington Shelton Agar, VC, DSO, was a Royal Navy officer whose 1919 motor-boat attack on the Bolshevik cruiser Oleg earned the Victoria Cross. His career spanned both World Wars, clandestine Baltic operations and command of major warships.

Born at Kandy, Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, on 4 January 1890, Agar entered the Royal Navy in May 1905. During the First World War he served with the Grand Fleet and at Gallipoli, including the evacuation period. His later duties took him to northern Russian waters aboard HMS Iphigenia and to Coastal Motor Boats supporting the 1918 Zeebrugge and Ostend operations with smoke screens.

On 17 June 1919, during the British intervention in the Russian Civil War, Lieutenant Agar commanded Coastal Motor Boat 4 in an attack near Kronstadt. After overcoming a torpedo-launching difficulty, his crew torpedoed and sank Oleg, then escaped under fire. On 18 August, commanding CMB 7, he guided two other boats through the forts under heavy fire and covered their withdrawal. This action earned the Distinguished Service Order.

Between the wars Agar commanded HMS Scarborough and, after promotion to Captain in 1933, other warships including HMS Curlew and HMS Emerald. During the Second World War he commanded Emerald on Atlantic duties, briefly commanded HMS Malcolm and contributed to the development of Coastal Forces. He assumed command of HMS Dorsetshire in August 1941. On 1 December, Dorsetshire intercepted the German submarine supply vessel Python in the South Atlantic; Python's crew scuttled their ship.

On 5 April 1942, Japanese carrier aircraft sank Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall southwest of Ceylon. Wounded during the attack, Agar survived and helped organize the men awaiting rescue for about 30 hours. His services were recognized by a Mention in Despatches announced on 8 September 1942.

Placed on the retired list in January 1943, Agar subsequently served as Captain and President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. He received a Commodore appointment in June 1945, distinct from his substantive Captain rank. He later wrote about his naval experiences. He died at Anstey Park House, Alton, Hampshire, on 30 December 1968.

Official Victoria Cross award notification:

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Victoria Cross to: Lieutenant Augustine Willington Shelton Agar, R.N., in recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, coolness and skill under extremely difficult conditions in action.