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Sidney Meyrick

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Sir Sidney Meyrick
Born28 March 1879 (1879-03-28)
Died18 December 1973 (1973-12-19) (aged 94)
Chichester, Sussex, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Service / branch Royal Navy
Years of service1893–1940
RankVice Admiral
CommandsHMS Courageous
6th Destroyer Flotilla
HMS Revenge
HMS Nelson
2nd Cruiser Squadron
Naval Secretary
America and West Indies Station
Battles / warsFirst World War
Second World War
AwardsKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Admiral Sir Sidney Julius Meyrick KCB (28 March 1879 – 18 December 1973) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station.

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Meyrick joined the Royal Navy in 1893. He served in the First World War in HMS Erin and then in HMS Resolution in the Grand Fleet.[1]

After the War he became Flag Captain commanding HMS Courageous and Chief Staff Officer to the Commander-in-Chief of the Reserve Fleet in 1920 and then moved on to be Commander of the 6th Destroyer Flotilla in 1921.[1] He was made Flag Captain commanding HMS Revenge and Chief Staff Officer to the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet in 1922.[1]

He joined the Staff of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, in 1923 and became Director of Training and Staff Duties at the Admiralty in 1926.[1] He was appointed Flag Captain commanding HMS Nelson and Captain of the Fleet to the Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet in 1927 before becoming Captain of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in 1929 and Naval Secretary in 1932.[1] He was then made Commander of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in 1934 and Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station in 1937.[1]

At the start of the Second World War, formations under Meyrick's command as Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station, included the 8th Cruiser Squadron and two escort ships.[2] In 1940 he was credited with forcing the Captain of the German liner Columbus to scuttle his ship.[3] He retired in 1940.[1]

He died at the family home and estate, Norton House, near Chichester in Sussex.[4]

Family

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In 1901 he married Judith Fullerton, the daughter of Admiral Sir John Fullerton;[5] they had three sons, named Timothy, Michael and Peter.[4]

References

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Military offices
Preceded by Naval Secretary
1932–1934
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station
1937–1940
Succeeded by