Sir Robert Harris | |
---|---|
Born | 12 October 1843 |
Died | 25 August 1926 | (aged 82)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held |
Cape of Good Hope Station Royal Naval College, Greenwich |
Battles/wars |
Cretan Revolt Second Boer War |
Awards | Knight Commander of the
Order of the Bath Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George |
Admiral Sir Robert Hastings Penruddock Harris KCB, KCMG (12 October 1843 – 25 August 1926) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station.
Harris joined the Royal Navy in 1856. [1] Promoted to captain in 1879 and to rear-admiral in 1891, he commanded the Training Squadron from 1893 to 1895 before becoming Second-in-Command of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1896. [1] In that role he was involved in the Cretan Revolt. [2] [3]
He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station in 1898 and played an important role in the Second Boer War: [1] in October 1899 he formed a Naval Brigade and despatched the brigade to support General Frederick Forestier-Walker in defeating of the Boers at the Battle of Ladysmith – one of the guns surrendered by the Boers survives at Devonport today. [4] Promoted to vice admiral in 1901 [5] [6] he went on to serve as President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich in 1903 with promotion to admiral in 1904. [7] [8]
He lived at a house called The Brake in Yelverton, Devon. [9] [8]
He married Florence Cordelia Henn-Gennys; they had three sons and five daughters. [9] [8]