Ralph George Hamilton Izat

Commander (retired) Ralph George Hamilton Izat (1 August, 1890 – 30 July, 1953) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Catersfield, Fareham, Izat was the son of Royal Navy Captain George Izat. Although his service record states that he was part of the January, 1906 term at Britannia, he likely entered Royal Naval College, Dartmouth directly – part of the Royal Navy's transition from training new cadets in H.M.S. Britannia as the new scheme was being primed.^{[Fact Check]}

He gained two months time on passing out and was appointed to the battleship Albion of the Atlantic Fleet on 15 May, 1907. He next went to battleship Swiftsure in the Mediterranean on 17 March, 1909 and then to the Dominion of Home Fleet on 30 July, 1910.

Izat was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1912. He left Leviathan on St. Valentine's Day, 1913 for an eight month appointment in the destroyer Christopher of the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, during which time he spent three months on temporary loan to the Boadicea Class scout cruiser Boadicea. On 17 October, 1913, Izat was appointed to the dreadnought battleship Vanguard.

Great War

Izat was appointed from Vanguard on 24 July 1915 to join the flotilla leader Nimrod for gunnery duties. On 5 May 1916, he was re-appointed in Nimrod as first lieutenant and gunnery officer.

Izat was appointed in command of the destroyer Portia on 9 November, 1918.

Interbellum

Izat was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 31 December, 1920. A collision between Oracle and H.M.T. Thomas Haggerty drew displeasure at the Admiralty on 19 January, 1920.

H.M.S. Wivern conducted "special service" between 6 and 10 August, 1920 which won Izat praise from the Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland which the Admiralty echoed.

On 1 February, 1924, Izat required three week's time to allow an old injury to his right elbow to heal.

Izat was placed on the Retired List at his own request with the rank of Commander on 18 August, 1933.

In August 1936, he was granted permission to take a course for a civilian accountant officer under the Air Ministry.

World War II

In 1938, the Air Ministry was informed that Izat would be required at once upon mobilisation. However, there is no indication that he was summoned except that he might have worked under the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

See Also

• Service Records
• Wikipedia

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Henry Forrester	Captain of H.M.S. Midge 21 Jun, 1917 – 5 Jul, 1918	Succeeded by David L. Cowan
Preceded by Hamilton C. Allen	Captain of H.M.S. Maenad 5 Jul, 1918 – 15 Oct, 1918	Succeeded by Arthur Marsden
Preceded by Geoffrey N. Henson	Captain of H.M.S. Portia 9 Nov, 1918 – 4 Jan, 1920	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Russell Grenfell	Captain of H.M.S. Oracle 5 Jan, 1920 – 1 Feb, 1920	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Archibald A. Lovett-Cameron	Captain of H.M.S. Skate Jan, 1920 – 12 Mar, 1920	Succeeded by Lionel G. Foote
Preceded by Richard M. Welby	Captain of H.M.S. Serene 3 Jun, 1920 – 13 Jul, 1920	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by John I. Hallett	Captain of H.M.S. Wivern 13 Jul, 1920 – 4 May, 1922	Succeeded by Cecil H. J. Harcourt
Preceded by Richard Harter	Captain of H.M.S. Sirdar Apr, 1922 – 1 Apr, 1924	Succeeded by Alexander M. Donovan
Preceded by Edward N. Mortimer	Captain of H.M.S. Vega 1 Apr, 1924 – 1 Dec, 1926	Succeeded by Henry A. Simpson