Edward Hobart Seymour

Admiral of the Fleet THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR Edward Hobart Seymour, G.C.B., O.M., G.C.V.O., P.C., Royal Navy (30 April, 1840 – 2 March, 1929), was an officer of the Royal Navy who after decades of unstinting service commanded the substantial British naval presence in China during the Boxer Rebellion.

Early Life & Career

Seymour was born at Kinwarton, Warwickshire, on 30 April, 1840, the second son of the Revd Richard Seymour (1806–1880), rector of Kinwarton, and his wife, Frances (d. 27 April 1871), third daughter of Charles Smith, M.P., of Suttons, Essex. He was grandson of Rear-Admiral Sir Michael Seymour, First Baronet (1768–1834), and nephew of Admiral Sir Michael Seymour (1802–1887).

He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 13 February, 1873.

Seymour was appointed in command of the despatch vessel Iris on 27 April, 1880.

On the occasion of Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 21 June, 1887.

He was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 14 July, 1889, vice Greive.

Years later Captain (later Admiral Sir) George F. King-Hall, noted in his diary:

Dined quietly with my old friend Charles Drury, now 2nd Sea Lord. Being alone we had a great talk about every one and every thing. First of all about Fisher, who had told Drury that on two occasions he had prevented Seymour sending in his papers.

First of all when Kennedy went out to the East Indies, instead of himself. The fact being that Seymour was travelling in the West Indies and no one knew his address, consequently he could not be offered the East Indies. He was eventually offered 2 in command of Channel. This he would have refused if it had not been for Fisher. Now, as he is on the list, it prevents Fisher getting Adm. of Fleet [a promotion usually granted to the most senior Admiral on the Flag List].

In the Queen's Diamond Jubilee honours, Seymour was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 22 June, 1897.

China Station

On 12 December, 1897 Seymour was appointed Commander-in-Chief on the China Station.

He was appointed an Ordinary Member of the First Division, or Knight Grand Cross, of the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) on 9 November, 1900, "in recognition of services rendered during the recent disturbance in China."

He was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 24 May, 1901, vice Morant.

On 3 October, 1902, he was appointed First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to King Edward VII, in place of Sir James E. Erskine.

He was promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet on 20 February, 1905, vice Salmon.

Bibliography

• "Sir E. H. Seymour, O.M." (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 4 March, 1929. Issue 45142, col A, pg. 11.
• Seymour, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Hobart. My Naval Career and Travels. London: Smith, Elder & Co..

Papers

• Journal for 1898-1901 in the possession of the Admiralty Library. Royal Naval Museum, Portsmouth.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/86.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/37.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/14.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Robert O'B. FitzRoy	Admiral Superintendent of Naval Reserves 1894 – 1897	Succeeded by Compton E. Domvile
Preceded by Sir Alexander Buller	Commander-in-Chief on the China Station 1898 – 1901	Succeeded by Sir Cyprian A. G. Bridge
Preceded by Sir James E. Erskine	First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp 1902 – 1903	Succeeded by Sir Henry F. Stephenson
Preceded by Lord Charles T. M. D. Scott	Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth 1903 – 1905	Succeeded by Sir Lewis A. Beaumont