Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Frederick Hew George Dalrymple-Hamilton
|
|
|---|---|
Dalrymple-Hamilton as a rear admiral
|
|
| Born | 27 March 1890 Bargany, Girvan, Ayrshire |
| Died | 26 December 1974 (aged 84) Bargany, Girvan, Ayrshire |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1905–1950 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | 4th Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean (18 Oct 1933 – Feb 1936) Captain, Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (HMS Britannia) (29 Dec 1936–1939) HMS Rodney (present at destruction of German battleship Bismarck) (21 November 1939–1941) Admiral Commanding Iceland (HMS Baldur) (5 September 1941–1942 Naval Secretary to First Lord of Admiralty HMS President (31 October 1942 – December 1943) 10th Cruiser Squadron (HMS Belfast) & Second-in-Command, Home Fleet (3 March 1944 – April 1945) Vice-Admiral Malta and Flag Officer Central Mediterranean (HMS St Angelo) (1 April 1945–1946) Flag Officer Commanding Scotland and Northern Ireland (1946–1948) Admiral, British Joint Services Mission, Washington, USA (HMS Saker) (8 September 1948–1950) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath (14 October 1941) Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (1 January 1945) Mentioned in Despatches (13 February 1945) |
| Other work | Member, Queen's Body Guard for Scotland, Royal Company of Archers (1947–1973) Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant for Wigtownshire (27 March 1951) |
Sir Frederick Hew George Dalrymple-Hamilton (born March 27, 1890 – died December 26, 1974) was a brave British naval officer. He served in both World War I and World War II. He is best known for being the captain of the battleship HMS Rodney during a famous battle against the German battleship Bismarck on May 27, 1941.
Contents
Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton was born in Bargany, Scotland. He was the grandson of the 10th Earl of Stair. He decided to join the Royal Navy in 1905, starting a long and important career.
Early Career and World War I
Frederick served as a naval officer during World War I. After the war, he continued to rise through the ranks. In 1931, he was promoted to the rank of Captain.
He then took command of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla in 1933. This group of ships was very important for protecting the seas. In 1936, he became the Captain of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. This is where new naval officers are trained.
World War II and Famous Battles
From 1939 to 1941, Captain Dalrymple-Hamilton commanded the battleship HMS Rodney. This ship played a key role in one of the most famous naval battles of World War II.
The Sinking of the Bismarck
On May 27, 1941, HMS Rodney took part in the hunt for and sinking of the powerful German battleship Bismarck. This was a huge victory for the British Navy.
Interestingly, Frederick's own son, North Dalrymple-Hamilton, was also serving in the Navy at the time. He was on another British battleship, HMS King George V, which also fought against the Bismarck. After the battle, Frederick told his son how lucky he was to see such a big fight so early in his career.
Later Commands and D-Day
After the Bismarck battle, Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton continued to take on important roles. In 1941, he became the Admiral Commanding, Iceland. This meant he was in charge of naval operations around Iceland.
In 1944, he became the Commander of the 10th Cruiser Squadron. He was also the Second-in-Command of the Home Fleet, which protected the waters around Britain. His ship, HMS Belfast, was part of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June 1944. This was a massive operation to invade German-occupied Europe.
He also commanded ships protecting Arctic convoys. These convoys delivered vital supplies to the Soviet Union. After the war ended in Europe, he became the Vice-Admiral for Malta in April 1945.
After the War
After World War II, Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton continued his service. He was appointed Flag Officer for Scotland and Northern Ireland. From 1948, he served as an Admiral at the British Joint Services Mission in Washington D. C., USA. He retired from the Navy in 1950.
His Family Life
Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton came from a well-known family. He was a descendant of the 10th Earl of Stair.
He married Gwendolen Peek in 1918. They had one son and two daughters. Their children had special connections to the Royal Family. Their son, North, was a godson of Edward VIII, who later became king. Their daughter, Graeme Elizabeth, was a goddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Their son, Captain North Edward Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton, also joined the Royal Navy. He later became an important officer on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Frederick and Gwendolen raised their children at their home in Clady House, Scotland.
