ADMIRAL’S DEATH

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1937, Page 8

ADMIRAL’S DEATH

CAR ACCIDENT INQUIRY. [By CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] MELBOURNE, July 28. The death has occurred of Admiral Sir Francis Hyde, first member of the Navy Board. He developed bronchial pneumonia during the Coroner’s inquiry recently into the death of Nicholas Davis, aged 46, who was lulled at Hampton by a car driven by Admiral Hyde on June 28. The main issue at the inquiry was whether Admiral Hyde was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The Coroner found that Davis died through misadventure, there being no evidence of culpable negligence. 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., had been First Naval Member of the Australian Naval Board since 1931. He was born at Southsea in 1877. He was appointed rear-admiral commanding the Royal Australian Squadron in 1926 and held that position until 1929. In the two following years he commanded the Third Battle Squadron. He was made vice-admiral in 1932, and admiral in 1936. He was a member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners.