- George Hyde
Infobox Military Person
name= Sir George Francis Hyde
caption= Studio portrait of George Francis Hyde
born=July 19 ,1877
died=July 28 ,1937
placeofbirth=Southsea ,Portsmouth ,England
placeofdeath=Melbourne , Victoria,Australia
nickname=
allegiance=United Kingdom
branch=Royal Navy Royal Australian Navy
serviceyears= 1896 - 1937
rank=Admiral
unit=
commands= First Naval Member & Chief of StaffHMS Marlborough (1912) HMS Emperor of India HMAS Canberra (D33) HMAS Australia (D84) HMAS Brisbane (1915) HMS Adventure (1904) HMS Shannon (1906)
battles=World War I
awards=Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Commander of the Order of the British Empire Mention in Despatches
relations=
laterwork=Admiral Sir George Francis Hyde KCB, CVO, CBE (July 19 ,1877 –July 28 ,1937 ) was anAustralia n admiral, known as a former head of theRoyal Australian Navy .Early life
Hyde was born in the
seaside resort ,Southsea , in the city ofPortsmouth ,England . He was the son of aclerk , Ebenezer Hyde, and Maria, née Alexander. Educated at a private school in Portsmouth, Hyde's desire to attain a high rank in theRoyal Navy was strengthened by a love to serve his country, and love for the sea.cite book|last=Hyslop|first=Robert|year=1983|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|publisher=Melbourne University Press|edition=Volume 9|url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/|chapter= Hyde, Sir George Francis (1877 - 1937)| chapterurl=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090416b.htm]Entrance into Britain's Royal Navy
In 1894, Hyde entered the merchant service as an apprentice, hoping to gain a commission into the
Royal Naval Reserve . Finishing his apprenticeship after four trips aboard a sailing ship, "Mount Stewart", he journeyed assecond mate in thebarque "Amulree". Hyde was commissioned as amidshipman in the Royal Naval Reserve in 1896, and served uponHis Majesty's Ship s (HMS), "Magnificent", "Victorious", "Bacchante", "Leviathan" and "Tribune", as reserve. Promoted tosub-lieutenant in 1901, andlieutenant in 1902, he continued his services to the Naval Reserve until he wasgazette d as alieutenant to theRoyal Navy in July 1905. This was due to winning an essay competition about theRusso-Japanese War , in which he was, upon the intervention of AdmiralLord Charles Beresford , "elevated to join the list of Supplementary Lieutenants". The admiral had submitted three applications before Hyde was promoted to theRoyal Navy .Transfer to Australia
After commanding several ships such as "Torpedo Boat No.6", a
destroyer "Rother", and acruiser "Shannon", Hyde traveled toAustralia , after being placed on loan to theCommonwealth Naval Forces . After returning to England, Hyde was granted a transference to theRoyal Australian Navy in 1912, and was commissioned the rank ofcommander . In 1913, he sailed in aIndefatigable class battlecruiser HMAS "Australia", to Australia.World War I to the 1920s
In July 1915, Hyde was appointed by the
Admiralty , to command alight cruiser , HMS "Adventure", into theCoast of Ireland Command . He remained in "Adventure" after he reached the Command, acting ascaptain of the fleet toVice Admiral SirLewis Bayly . BetweenApril 24 andApril 29 1916, during the Irish Easter Rebellion, after fears of international communication problems between theBritish Army 'scommander-in-chief of Ireland, "Adventure" was sent as communication aid and general assistance. Vice Admiral Bayly reported back to theAdmiralty onApril 30 1916 , when commenting about the incident, that Hyde "performed his duties with great tact and ability".Promoted to
captain onApril 1 1917 , Hyde joined theMercantile Movements Division in theAdmiralty , becoming aSenior Naval Officer inJune 6 ,1918 . In August 10 of the same year, he married Alice Marjorie Trefusis, before returning to Australia. He was appointed as Director of the war staff at theNaval Office inMelbourne , remaining at the appointment until August 1919. Upon the personal request ofJohn Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe , he was attached to Jellicoe's staff in 1919, and became theaide-de-camp to theGovernor-General , a post he remained until 1924. Hyde was given command of the HMAS "Brisbane" in 1919 until 1921, and became the second naval member of theAustralian Naval Board in 1923-24.In 1926, Hyde was appointed as commodore, taking command of the
Australian Squadron . He was awarded aCommander of the Order of the British Empire in 1926, and aCommander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1927. In 1928, Hyde became the firstAustralia n naval officer to become ahonorary aide-de-camp to King George V. OnFebruary 23 1928 , he became arear admiral , taking command of twoCounty class cruiser s, HMAS "Canberra" and HMAS "Australia". OnFebruary 16 1929, after the deterioration of his marriage with his first wife, Alice Trefusis, which ended indivorce in 1928, Hyde married Isla Robertson.1930s and command of the Royal Australian Navy
For one year after May 1930, Hyde held the
Royal Navy 's command of the 3rdBattle Squadron of theBritish Home Fleet . He was given command of twoIron Duke class battleship , HMS "Emperor of India", and then HMS "Marlborough". After returning to Australia, he became the first naval member of the Australian Naval Board inOctober 20 1931 , and consequently, the first sea-going officer to become a first naval member. He became avice admiral in 1932, was given aKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1934, and was promoted toAdmiral in 1936.Taking over as the head of the
Royal Australian Navy in 1931, Hyde was particularly concerned with the navy's inadequacy of defense, and lack of funding, following theGreat Depression . He attended a navalcommander-in-chief conference inSingapore , and traveled to England in 1935, for a technical discussion with theAdmiralty . In 1936, while still in England, he acted as adviser to the AustralianHigh Commissioner ,Stanley Melbourne Bruce , and was a participant in discussions which led to the formation of theSecond London Naval Treaty . AsWorld War II threatened in the mid-1930s, Hyde became responsible, as the first naval member of the Australian Naval Board, for the strengthening of theRoyal Australian Navy . He did this by creating close associations and relationships with theRoyal Navy .Personal health
In 1915, Hyde was diagnosed with sub-acute
pneumonia . He had an operation formouth cancer in 1933, before his health started deteriorating in April 1937, after several small falls. OnJune 20 1937, Hyde killed a pedestrian, whilst driving in his car. Although a coronial inquiry relinquished him of any blame, the incident caused him enormous distress, and led to his death of pneumonia in Melbourne eight days later. In accordance with Hyde's wishes, he was given private funeral services and cremated, instead of a ceremonial naval funeral.Footnotes
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