George Henry Baird
Rear-Admiral SIR George Henry Baird, K.C.B., Royal Navy (14 October, 1871 – 22 October, 1924) was an officer of the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
He was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant dated 14 May, 1891. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 14 November, 1892.[1]
He was appointed to the battleship Venerable on 15 March, 1906.[2]
Baird was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1909.[3]
Great War
He was appointed command of King George V on 7 March, 1913.[4]
He commanded the light cruiser Ajax at Jutland.[5]
He was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) on 1 January, 1918.[6]
Post-War
Baird was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 26 March, 1920, vice Jackson.[7]
Assessment
Speaking to Captain Herbert W. Richmond in 1917, Baird apparently said of Jutland, "To wait all that time & then turn away from them instead of towards them, was sickening They gave us our chance & we weren't allowed to take it."[8] Accepting that this conversation took place, this writer has been unable to find among the Jutland papers any mention of Captain Baird hauling Ajax out of the line after the Germans, or of him signalling his immediate superior in the battle line, Vice-Admiral Jerram, suggesting that he do the same. Just because a junior officer is willing to risk his ship doesn't mean that it is necessary, or even advisable. — SIMON HARLEY, Co-editor.
Footnotes
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26356. p. 7551. 23 December, 1892.
- ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Friday, 9 March, 1906. Issue 37963, col A, p. 10.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 28263. p. 4857. 25 June, 1909.
- ↑ The Navy List (December, 1914). p. 343.
- ↑ Admiralty. Battle of Jutland Official Despatches, p. 43.
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 30451. p. 80. 1 January, 1918.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 31870. p. 4575. 20 April, 1920.
- ↑ Diary entry for 4 May, 1917. Quoted in Marder. Portrait of an Admiral. p. 247.
Bibliography
- "Rear-Admiral Sir G. H. Baird" (Obituaries). The Times. Thursday, 23 October, 1924. Issue 43790, col B, p. 17.
Service Record
- The National Archives. ADM 196/43.
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Edmond Hyde Parker |
Director of the Mobilisation Department 1921 – 1923 |
Succeeded by John W. L. McClintock |
