Herbert Willes Webley Hope

Admiral Herbert Willes Webley Hope, C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O. (26 May, 1878 – 26 April, 1968) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Hope was born in Devonport, and listed his mother as his guardian when he joined the January 1892 term at H.M.S. Britannia.

On 19 July, 1898, he was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 15 July, 1897.

Hope was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant dated 15 July, 1898.

In May of 1904, he was serving as Lieutenant (G) in Venerable.

He was promoted to the rank of Commander dated 31 December, 1909.

At the start of the Great War Hope was assigned to the Admiralty War Staff, where he was one of three officers detailed to keep the charts in the War Room up to date. He considered it a "dull occupation" and cursed his luck for not being at sea.

On the occasion of the King's birthday he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, of the Civil Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 4 June, 1917.

Hope was appointed in command of the light cruiser Dartmouth on 1 October, 1917. He left her when he was appointed in command of the light cruiser Glasgow in March, 1919.

Hope was appointed in command of the battlecruiser Repulse in November 1924.

Following the Prince of Wales's return, Hope was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) on 16 October, 1925.

Hope was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 11 July, 1926.

He was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 April, 1931, vice Buller. He was placed on the Retired List on the following day. He was advanced to the rank of Admiral on the Retired List on 1 January, 1936.

In August 1937, his left foot was amputated.

Bibliography

• "Obituary" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 29 April, 1968. Issue 57238, col F, p. 10.

Service Records

• The National Archives. ADM 196/142.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/125.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/90.
• The National Archives. ADM 196/44.

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Henry R. Crooke	Captain of H.M.S. Kite 1 Mar, 1905 – 15 Jul, 1909	Succeeded by Edward A. Rushton
Preceded by Otto H. Stahlknecht	Captain of H.M.S. Leda 15 Jul, 1909 – 1 Jan, 1910	Succeeded by Robert A. Hornell
Preceded by Albert P. Addison	Captain of H.M.S. Dartmouth 1 Oct, 1917 – 14 Mar, 1919	Succeeded by Guy P. Bigg-Wither
Preceded by Herbert MacI. Edwards	Captain of H.M.S. Glasgow Mar, 1919 – 1920	Succeeded by John E. P. Bickford
Preceded by Henry W. Parker	Captain of H.M.S. Repulse Nov, 1924 – 4 Jun, 1926	Succeeded by Edward R. G. R. Evans
Preceded by Henry R. Crooke	President of the Ordnance Committee 2 Jan, 1928 – 2 Apr, 1931	Succeeded by Bernard W. F. Fairbairn