Career
Tothill was promoted to Lieutenant in 1888, Commander in January 1901, and subsequently to Captain in 1906. Having received command of the HMS Illustrious by 1908 and the HMS Lancaster by 1911, he served in World War I, commanding the HMS Conqueror at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. After the war he was appointed Fourth Sea Lord in 1917 and served as Commander-in-chief at East Indies Station from 1919 to 1921 before becoming Admiral Commanding the Reserves in 1923.
He retired from military service in 1926 and died in 1927.