ON RETIRED LIST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 13

ON RETIRED LIST

REAR-ADMIRAL DRUMMOND SERVICE IN NEW ZEALAND DISTINGUISHED NAVAL CAREER LONDON, Oct. 24 Bear-Admiral the Hon. E. R. Drunimond, M.V.0., C.8., former commodore commanding the New Zealand Naval Station for three years, lm» been placed at his own request on the retired list. His retirement will take effect from Tuesday. Bear-Admiral Drunimond was commodore commanding the New Zealand station from April, 1935, to April of this year. He succeeded Bear-Admiral F. Burges-Watson. While he was on the station RearAihniral Druminond saw many changes in the character of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy and in the disposition of the Devonport Naval Base works and equipment. His efforts to maintain and improve the efficiency of the division were untiring, and lie

obtained full benefit from the chances which were effected. In addition, he carried out his duties as first naval member of the New Zealand Naval Board and in command of a sea-noing cruiser with considerable distinction. At no time was he too busy to lend his assistance to any activity that was calculated to cement the friendship between the civil population and the officers and men of the division. A member of an old Scottish family, Rear-Admiral Drummond served with distinction during the war, and subsequently continued his career on various naval stations. He entered the Royal Navy in 1898, and much of his service was in light crujsers. He became a commander in 1918, was made a Member of the Victorian Order in 1922 and a captain in 1926. From 1930 to 1933 % he was chief of staff to the commander-in-chief at Portsmouth. Later he commanded H.M.S. Delhi and H.M.S. Despatch. He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral in 1936, and in the Coronation Honours list last year he was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.