George Neville

Admiral SIR George Neville, K.C.B., C.V.O., Royal Navy (18 March, 1850 – 5 February, 1923) was an officer of the Royal Navy.

His son, Ralph Neville, also served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Neville was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 December, 1872.

Neville was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1885.

Captain

George Neville as a Captain.
Photograph: Navy & Army Illustrated.

Neville was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1892. He was appointed in command of the third class protected cruiser Pearl from 17 July to 22 August, 1893, for the annual manœuvres, before returning to half pay.

On 26 November, 1894, he was selected for command of the Victorian Naval Defence Forces, and assumed command on 25 February, 1895.

He ceased duty in Victoria on 12 January, 1898, and was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Dido on 10 May.

He took command of the armoured cruiser Australia on 3 March, 1900. He was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 11 October, 1901.

On 11 December, 1902, he was appointed captain of the battleship Mars. He was appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King dated 3 August, 1903, vice Barrow.

Flag Rank

Neville was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 20 October, 1904, vice Custance.

He was appointed Rear-Admiral Commanding the First Cruiser Squadron on 15 July, 1905. On the occasion of the visit of the French fleet to Britain Neville was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 11 August. He was superseded in command of the squadron on 15 July, 1907.

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 12 October, 1908, vice Fawkes.

Neville took command of the Third and Fourth Divisions, Home Fleet, on 24 March, 1909. On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Ordinary Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 25 June. He was superseded in command of the Third and Fourth Divisions on 24 March, 1911.

He was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 30 July, 1912, vice Moore. In accordance with the provisions of the Order in Council of 8 December, 1903, he was placed on placed on the Retired List at his own request on 3 June, 1913.

Admiral Neville died on 5 February, 1923, from pneumonia, at 12 Stafford Mansions, Stafford Place, London.

Bibliography

• "Death of Admiral Sir G. Neville" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 7 February, 1923. Issue 43259, col D, p. 13.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/86.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/39.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/17.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Sydney M. Eardley Wilmot	Captain of H.M.S. Dolphin 16 Jan, 1888 – 1890	Succeeded by Horatio N. Dudding
Preceded by ?	Captain of H.M.S. Pearl 17 Jul, 1893 – 22 Aug, 1893	Succeeded by Arthur W. E. Prothero
Preceded by George M. Henderson	Captain of H.M.S. Dido 10 May, 1898 – 20 Jan, 1900	Succeeded by Philip F. Tillard
Preceded by Charles H. Adair	Captain of H.M.S. Australia 19 Feb, 1900 – 23 Nov, 1902	Succeeded by ?
Preceded by Henry D. Barry	Captain of H.M.S. Mars 11 Dec, 1902 – 12 Oct, 1904	Succeeded by David Beatty
Preceded by Edmund S. Poë	Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Cruiser Squadron 15 Jul, 1905 – 15 Jul, 1907	Succeeded by Sir Percy M. Scott