Mr. Lomax was the purser aboard HMS Renown, Captain James Sawyer commanding, at the time of Hornblower's tour as lieutenant. Mr. Lomax was ordered to pass out a tot of rum to every man and boy aboard excluding the officers when Mr. Wellard and Hornblower belayed the weather reef tackle as a bit of sail was caught in it and they were dismissed from the deck as they were deemed to be conspiring against Captain Sawyer.