DEATH OF AN ADMIRAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20367, 23 September 1929, Page 11

DEATH OF AN ADMIRAL.

SIR HEDWORTH MEUX. LADYSMITH SIEGE RECALLED. British Wireless. RUGBY. Sept. 20. Tho death lias occurred of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Meux. Admiral Meux was associated with one of the important episodes of tho South American War. He was then Captain Lambton, the name of Meux having been assumed in latter years in accordance with tho will of Lady Meux.

Tho incident in point arose after General Sir George White had been forced to concentrate his forces on Ladysmith and act on the defensive. General White had only light artillery and his chances of withstanding tho attacks of tho Boers wero small. Naval assistance was asked for and H.M.S. Powerful, with Captain Lambton in command, was sent to Durban.

On the warship's arrival, on October 29, 1899, a number of naval 4.7-ineh guns, which previously had been mounted for use in tho field, were landed and sent, with a naval brigade under Captain Laniblon, to Ladysinith. The arrival of theso reinforcements undoubtedly saved Lady smith.

Admiral of the Fleet Sir Hedworth Metis was born in July, 1856, being tho third son of tho second Earl of Durham. Ho entered tho Navy in 1870, and was flag lieutenant to Admiral Seymour at tho bombardment of Alexandria, in 1882, after which ho served ashore, taking part in tho battle of Tel-el-Kebir. In 1886 lie commanded 11.M.5. Dolphin, which was engaged in suppressing tho slave trade in tho lied Sea. Two years later ho was put in chargo of tho Royal yacht Osborne, and in 1889 ho was promoted to tho rank of captain, From 1894 to 1897 ho was privato secretary to Earl Spencer and Viscount Goschen, during their terms as First Lord of the Admiralty.

In April, 1897, ho commissioned 11.M.5. Powerful for tho China station, and while ho was bringing tho vessel homo the South African War broko out. Tho ship was diverted to Durban. On the way there Admiral Meux called at Mauritius and, on his own initiative, embarked half a battalion of troops, which proved most valuable. When ho reached Durban ho left for Ladysmith. From 1901 to 1903 he commanded tho Royal yacht Victoiia and Albert.

Promoted rear-admiral in 1902, ho was successively second in command of tho Channel Fleet and commander of tho cruiser division' of (ho Mediterranean Fleet; With the rank of vice-admiral ho commanded on the China station fiom 1908 to 1910. In 1912 he was appointed commander-in-chief at Portsmouth, a post which ho hold until 1916. He hoisted his flag as Admiral of tho Fleet in 1915. He was elected Unionist M.P. for Poitsmouth in 1916, and sat in the Houso of Commons for two years. In 1900 ho had contested Newcastle as a Liberal. Ho married Viscountess Chelsea in 1910 and tho next year succeeded to a large fortuno and part of tho Uheobalds Park Estates under tho will of Lady Meux, on condition that ho changed his namo to Meux. He was knighted in 1906. His colours were well known on tho turf.