OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 259, 29 July 1937, Page 11

OBITUARY

Admiral Sir Francis Hyde (Received July 28, 8.5 p.m.) Melbourne, July 28. The death has occurred of Admiral Sir Francis Hyde, first member of the Navy Board. Admiral Hyde developed bronchial pneumonia during a coroner’s inquiry recently into tlie death of Nicholas Davis, aged 4611 who was killed at Hampton by a car driven by Admiral Hyde, on June 20. The main issue ut the inquiry was whether Admiral Hyde was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Tlie coroner found that Davis’s death was due to misudventure. 'There was no evidence of culpable negligence and the coroner was not satisfied that Admiral Hyde was under the influence of alcohol.

Admiral Sir George Francis Hyde, K.C.8., C.V.0., C.8.E., * R.A.N., was born at Portsmouth, England, on July 19, 1877. He was educated at a private school, and later joined tlie Royal Navy, being transferred to the Royal Australian Navy.

From 1913 to 1915 be was second in command of H.M.A.S. Australia. He was Flag Captain to Admiral Sir Lewis Bayly, and commander of H.M.S, Adventfire from 1915 to 1917, joinging the Admiralty in 1918. He was the Commodore commanding the Royal Australian Squadron in 1926-29, and commanded the Third Battle Squadron in 1930-31. He was the first Naval Member of the Naval Board and of tlie Defence Department, Melbourne, since 1931. lie was created a C.B.E. in 192(1, a C.V.O. in 1927, and a K.C.B. in January, 1934. He was married in 1929, and had one child, a daughter.