His death was announced in many newspapers across Scotland. In one such newspaper, the St. Andrews Citizen wrote "Death of Notable Kingsbarns Native. The death has taken place at Edinburgh of Rear Admiral George James Todd, R.N., of Burncrook, Moffat, son of Rev. Dr. Todd, senior minister of Kingsbarns. Deceased, who was born at Kingsbarns, had a most distinguished career in the Royal Navy, which he entered at an early age. His promotion was rapid, and he retired from the service after the war with the rank of Rear Admiral. During the war, he did excellent work and was awarded the D.S.O. Distinguished Service Order] and other honours. In 1916 he received authority from King Victor Emanuel to wear the insignia of a Commander of the Order of the Crown of Italy in recognition of the part he played in certain naval operations in the Near East. During the early stages of the operations at the Dardanelles, he was then Commander in charge of the Amethyst, with which he penetrated the Narrow, and his object achieved, got his vessel back to safety, being promoted Captain soon afterwards. He was succeeded in the command of the Amethyst by the Earl of Glasgow." George James Todd's love affair with the sea began at an early age. His grandfather, Alexander Corstorphine was a Captain in the East India Company's Service. After his education, Todd himself would enlist in the Royal Navy on Friday, 15 July 1887. With his naval career now on course, George James Todd moved up the ranks of the Royal Navy rather quickly first being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on Tuesday, 30 Jun 1896; and Commander on Tuesday, 31 December 1907. It was during World War I, however, that Commander Todd in command of the cruiser Amethyst on the morning of Sunday, 14 March 1915 during naval operations in the Dardanelles that he gained notoriety after his ship was hit by shore batteries which in turn caused serious damage to the ship and killing twenty-two crew members that Todd quickly arranged hand steering and improvised engine-room communications to extricate his ship from further danger. Commander Todd was later promoted to the rank of Captain on Wednesday, 30 June 1915. Captain Todd would later command the H.M.S. Bristol during the Battle of the Straits of Otranto in 1917 and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his services in that action. George James Todd married Elizabeth Catherine Haldane in 1908 at Chalmers Church in the Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. After the war, he continued serving in the Royal Navy still in command of the H.M.S. Bristol until 1920 when he was put in command of the H.M.S. Osea until 1921. He was put on the Retired List at his own request in 1922 and promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in 1926. Rear Admiral Todd and his wife retired to Burncrook, Moffat Parish, Dumfries-shire, having resided there since 1922. This then is the narrative of the life and times of George James Todd.