Suckling advanced rapidly aboard John Byng's flagship and returned from the War of the Austrian Succession as an experienced lieutenant. A family connection then placed him as first lieutenant of HMS Gloucester, whose continuing commission preserved valuable peacetime service while other ships paid off. After three years on the Jamaica Station, he returned to HMS Somerset, a Chatham guard ship that continued his employment in home waters. Those West Indies and guardship assignments supplied the continuity many wartime officers lost after demobilization and prepared him for promotion to commander in 1754.
Chapter · 24:38-27:04
Byng and Townshend kept Suckling's career moving
Appointments under John Byng and George Townshend carried Suckling from junior lieutenant to first lieutenant and protected his employment after wartime demobilization.