Admiral Edmond Hyde Parker, C.B. (30 January 1868 – 19 August 1951).
Life and Career
Hyde Parker attained 1,043 marks in the entrance examination. Because four candidates who had been nominated for the Navy had failed the examination, and another candidate's health precluded him from joining, cadetships were given to the five candidates who had scored the highest in the exam. Hyde Parker had placed first of the five.
Hyde Parker was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 1 April 1891, and to Commander on 30 June 1901.
He commanded the destroyer Ardent off Crete, where they were subjected to regular fire from insurgents on shore.
Captain
He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June 1906.
In January 1907, he was briefly placed in command of the battleship Empress of India.
On 28 May 1907, Parker was appointed in command of the cruiser Niobe, and as Flag Captain to Rear-Admiral Harry S. F. Niblett, commanding the Devonport Division of the Home Fleet.
He was appointed to command Minerva in October 1910, remaining with her until the end of 1912.
Parker was appointed in command of the first class protected cruiser Endymion on 9 January 1913.
Great War
On 28 November 1914, Endymion was paid off. He was appointed to Pomone as Captain of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, temporarily, from 28 December to 20 February 1915. On the latter date he took command of the battleship Superb in the Grand Fleet.
He was appointed command of the dreadnought Superb on 20 February 1915. He was in command of this early dreadnought when she participated in the Battle of Jutland. His report on the proceedings details her perspective of the battle.
Hyde Parker was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 23 October 1917, vice Tudor, promoted to Vice-Admiral.
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 1 January, 1918, for his services in command of Superb. On 1 September he was appointed Director of the Mobilisation Department at the Admiralty.
Post War
He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 25 March 1923, vice Ley, and was placed on the Retired List on 26 March.
He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 1 August 1927.