BRITISH ADMIRAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23400, 17 July 1939, Page 11

BRITISH ADMIRAL

DEATH ANNOUNCED SIR ROGER BACKHOUSE (Received July 16, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 15 The death has occurred of Admiral Sir Roger Backhouse. Admiral Sir Roger R. C. Backhouse, who was born in November, 1878, resigned his posts as Chief of the Naval Staff and a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty on May 17 last, owing to ill-health, and Admiral Sir A. Dudley P. R. Pound was appointed his successor. Sir Roger had a serious breakdown of health following recurrent attacks of influenza. He was away from the Admiralty for more than two months. He was appointed Chief of the Naval Staff and First Sea Lord last year in

succession to Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield, now Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence. He was described as tho youngest admiral since Nelson to have held the post of First Sea Lord. Beforo that he was for three years Commander-in-Chief of the Homo Fleet.

Sir Boger was only twelve when he started his naval training. He was an expert on gunnery. During the Great War he served with Lord Jellicoe for a time in the Iron Duke. He became Director of Naval Ordnance in 1920, and remained in the post until 1922. Promoted rear-admiral in 1925, he commanded the Third Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet, from 1926-27. He was Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy from 1928-32, and commanded tho First Battle Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet from 1932-34. He was promoted vice-admiral in 1929, and admiral in 1934.

Sir Boger was a twin son of tho late Sir Jonathan E. Backhouse, of Dar-

lington, who was a. Quaker and prominent banker. His elder brother, Admiral Oliver Backhouse, retired from tho Navy in 1934.