Register entry for Oliver Charles 

Oliver Charles Dickram Deodat Seropian was born in Summerhill, Nenagh on 15/10/1894. He was the son of Persian Diplomat Serope Biman Seropian (see separate entry) and Kathleen Elizabeth Foley, daughter of a Nenagh business man. Oliver was an only son.  

Charles joined the Royal Navy on 30/06/1913 as a Midshipman.  In 1917 he was strongly recommended for promotion to Lieutenant by his Captain. In March 1917 he was transferred to Bristol for Torpedoe Control Duties. Again recommended for promotion being 

“ able, energetic, smart & intelligent. Has plenty of initiative to command”

In August 1918, Seropian was recommended for decoration for general good work whilst in charge of a division of Nash Fish Hydrophone Trawlers of the Northern Patrol Force. This was ardous work. He was on board HM Charles Hammond as part of a Submarine Hunting Flotilla of the Northern Patrol hunting for German submarines in the unforgiving North Sea. Seropian made a reputation for himself for keenness and energy. For this he was awarded an O.B.E.. This resulted in Seropian being awarded Officer of the British Empire (Military) on 24/03/1919 for ‘devotion to duty’ whilst on service. 

Citation and Gazette entry for award of O.B.E.

Seropian's next review on 29/06/1921. This takes a totally opposite stand and shows how easy it is to destroy a budding career 

“ (He)Is not experienced enough to make efficient executive officer. Would benefit by a year or two in a big ship for age and seniority. (He) knows astonishingly little about discipline, the right way to handle men etc & he does not appear to have ever had any sound fundamental training in the function, principles & atmosphere of the Navy. Knows nothing of Germany & does not attempt to educate himself. Moderately efficient O.O.W. at sea. Emphatically not recommended for command as he is altogether too unbalanced & his whole personality lacks any sense of responsibility.” (Ex Cdr. Scott)

Further remarks record that Seropian is a good messmate, good at games, swimming, amateur theatricals and dancing. He was recommended for a transfer to Signals. Whether this is connected, ultimately Seropian retired from the Navy and was placed on the retired list 09/11/1922.

Reading between the lines it would appear that despite his O.B.E. or maybe because of it, his Irish background and the events that were current at the time, and added to this his Armenian forebears, a halt was brought to his rise. He just wasn’t a member of the club.

On 24/09/1923, Seropian renounced his fathers name and adopted his mothers maiden name. Seropian changed his name by deed poll which was published in the Gazette and now was known as Charles Oliver Foley although he would be referred to as `Dick Foley’ by his men.

With the advent of WW2 Charles came out of retirement and rejoined the Royal Navy.  He was stationed in Sierra Leone as a Commanding Officer for the RN base stations HMS Edinburgh Castle & HMS Spurwing. Following the end of the war, he retired from the Navy once again in 1946. He died on 14/11/1962 in Paddington, London

Charles was married twice. He first married Hilda Glanfield  on 04/07/1919 at All Souls in Hampstead. This ended in divorce in 1927. His second marriage was to Rosamund Birch on 11/11/1928 in Calcutta. They divorced in 1947.

Charles Seropian/Foley is just one of the many names recorded on a remembrance plaque in the St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Church Road, Nenagh. He is remembered under the name Seropian.