Admiral Edward Francis Bruen, C.B., R.N. (7 November 1866 – 22 November 1952).
He was the second son of the Right Honourable Henry of Oak Park, Ireland. He was educated at Stubbington's House, a naval preparatory school at Fareham, Hampshire and in January 1880 he became a cadet at HMS Britannia on the River Dart.
Early Life and Career
Bruen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 June, 1889 and to Commander on 30 June 1901.
He was appointed to command the third class protected cruiser Pandora on 10 June 1904, but was then whisked away to command the despatch vessel Surprise on 6 February 1905. He remained in her until superseded on 1 August 1906, but may have had a second short stint in Pandora as well.
Captain
Bruen was promoted to Captain on 30 June 1906.
On 20 August 1907 he was appointed in command of the first class protected cruiser Amphitrite where he remained until September 1908.
He was then appointed as captain of the second class protected cruiser Highflyer on 19 September 1908 followed by the first class protected cruiser Powerful on 31 December 1910, and then the armoured cruiser Drake in January 1912, and the battleship Bellerophon on 18 August 1913.
Great War
Bruen was still in command of Bellerophon at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916 as part of the Fourth Battle Squadron.
He then went on to command of new battleship Resolution which he commissioned in September 1916. On 16 September he was commended for his service at Jutland.
Bruen was referred to as "Tiny" by some sailors due to his small stature. As to temperament, he was judged "completely unemotional"; a placidity perhaps best exemplified by an incident on 6 March, 1917, as the Bellerophon prepared to leave on a sweep:
We were waiting to weigh anchor when a commander came up to Captain Bruen, I could see that he was rattled. The captain was watching the flagship through his glasses, waiting for the signal to come down. The commander said, "Captain, I beg your pardon, sir, I'm sorry to report that the Captain of Marines has just shot himself," and then he said, "No, he's not shot himself, sir, he's cut his throat." Captain Bruen just lowered his glasses, slowly looked at the commander and said, "Oh, cut his throat has he, cut it badly?" The commander said, "I'm sorry, sir, I'm afraid he's dead." "Oh, he's dead is he? Well, see to it, Commander, will you." And then he returned his gaze to the flagship and in the same voice said, "Signal, weigh anchor."
Bruen was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 28 September 1917, and was appointed to the Admiralty for special service with the Director of Plans.
On 21 February 1918 he was appointed in command of the Second Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. For his services in command of the Second Cruiser Squadron on the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 3 June. He struck his flag at 1 February, 1919.
Post War
Bruen became Rear-Admiral Commanding Portsmouth Reserve on 1 February 1919, flying his flag in Achilles. On 10 February he transferred his flag to St Vincent, and struck his flag on 23 April.
After taking the Senior Officers' Course from 1 March to 1 May 1920, Bruen was appointed Director of Naval Equipment where he remained until 16 May 1922, and was promoted to Vice Admiral on 16 November.
He was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 1 October 1924 and was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 1 August 1927.
Following his retirement, he lived at The Croft, Great Bealings, Suffolk. He was a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Naval and Military Club.
Admiral Bruen died on the 22nd November 1952.