Cmdr. George Edward Basil HAND R N [441]

  General Notes:

His infant photo was incribed on the back "For Aunt Robert"

GEORGE EDWARD B HAND
Birth year1870
Baptism year1870
Baptism day7
Baptism monthApr
ParishNAYLAND
Relationshipson of
ParentsGeorge W & Mary A
CountySuffolk
CountryEngland
Suffolk Baptism Index (part 1)

George married but had no issue.

George's Naval Record:
1883-85 Enlisted as a naval cadet, training at HMS Britannia, Devonport and at sea on the Pacific station between June - December 1885. Passed as a Junior Midshipman with a 1st Class Certificate and appointed midshipman on 15 December 1885. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1885-89 Serving on HMS Calypso on the Training Squadron. Contracted enteric fever. Passed provisionally in Seamanship in Gibraltar Hospital on 14 December 1889. Promoted to Acting Sub Lieutenant and Sub Lieutenant on the same date. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1890 Brought home from Gibraltar on HMS Duke of Wellington, arriving England 14 January. In March was assessed to be fit to continue service, but in a ___ climate. Passed Seamanship with 1st Class certificate in Portsmouth on 24 March. Re-examined for fitness in Scandinavia. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)

Cadetships in Royal Navy.
The following is a list of successful candidates in order of merit for the 1st 31 places . . . . . George Edward Basil Hand 1143 . . . . . (The highest marks were 1392 the lowest 842).
Ref: Manchester Courier 25 June 1883.

Cadetships in Royal Navy.
Among successful candidates at the recent examinations for naval Cadet ships we notice the name of Mr George Edward Basil Hand, eldest son of Capt George Weightman Hand R N of Dedham. Mr Hand's tutor was Mr Foster Of Stubbington House Hampshire.
Ref: Chelmsford Chronicle 6 July 1883.

Tuesday Gazette.
Admiralty November 13.
The following Sub Lieutenants have been confirmed . . . . . George Edward Basil Hand . . . . .
Ref: Portsmouth Evening News 18 November 1891.

1890-91 Served on several ships (HMS Impregnible, Pembroke, Indus) whilst completing College studies. Passed College with 2nd Class Certificate in January, Torpedo (2nd Class) in March, Gunnery (3rd Class) in June, and Pilotage (2nd Class in October). (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1891-94 Engaged in surveying services on HMS Egeria. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1892 Placed on merit as 4th Class Assistant Surveyor on 15 June. Promoted to Lieutenant on 30 June. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)

Admiralty 22 July 1892.
The undermentioned sub lieutenants have been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant . . . . . George Edward Basil Hand . . . . . Dated 30 June 1892.
Ref: Portsmouth Evening News 23 July 1892.

1893 Advanced to 3rd Class Assistant Surveyor on 20 June. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1894 2nd Class Certificate for short Gunnery course at HMS Excellent, Portsmouth 1 September - 26 October. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1894-95 November 1894 - March 1895 coastguard duties aboard HMS Iglatea and Edinburgh. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1895-97 Serving on the cruiser HMS Rainbow. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1897-98 Aboard HMS Archer, another cruiser. An inspection of Archer by Comm. de Halle found her in a very satisfactory state - "An efficient ship in capital order and always ready for any service required of her". (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1898-99 On HMS Black Prince, a training ship stationed at Queenstown, Ireland. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1899-1902 On 3rd Class Cruiser HMS Polone, possibly based on the East Indies station. He was noted as a very good executive officer, skilled in surveying. Satisfactory inspection of Pomone in August 1900. He appears to have requested to be placed on the retired list after 12 years of service but this was refused in 1901. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1900 Promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 30 June. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1901 Single. Lieutenant aboard HMS Pomone, a Third Class Cruiser at Lat. 7:28'N Long. 76:15'E (i.e. near the Maldives in the Indian Ocean).
1902-03 Apparently three separate commissions aboard HMS Apollo (record keeping lapsed). Injured in/near Bombay in January and brought home aboard HMS Assaye, arriving Southampton 26 February 1902. Unfit for service until the end of May. Engaged in opening up waterways in South Nigeria. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1903-06 Involved in manoeuvres and . . . . . at R N Barracks, Devonport. Specially recommended for promotion in May 1904. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1906 May to July - engaged on coastguard duties at Edinburgh. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1906-07 Coastguard duties at Fowey. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1907-1 Coastguard duties at Banff. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1914 Retired at his own request on 1st May and refused to accept the rank of Commander. However, would have been recalled from reserve on the outbreak of war. May - August: serving on HMS Island Prince mobilising Officer (?) Trawler Reserve at North Shields. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1916 Accepted the rank of Commander (ret'd). (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1919 Reverted to the retired list on 30 July. (PRO: ADM196/43/123)
1924-26 With RNR at Lowestoft; 10 days special service aboard HMS President.
Ref: Rosie Flower 2008

Probate calendar:
Hand Frederick Edward Basil of Wyebread SFK died 22 May 1931 Probate Norwich 7 Aug 1931 to Beatrice Carrie Bedford Hand widow. Effects L4158 18s 5d.

Naval Officers Estate.
The late commander George Edward Basil Hand R N (Retired) of Waybread Suffolk son of the late Rear Admiral George Weightman Hand. Left L4158 net personally L3258
Ref: Plymouth Evening News 27 August 1931.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 2 Apr 1871, Bear St Nayland SFK. George is recorded as a nephew (of Edward Liveing Fenn) aged 1 born Nayland SFK

2. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, Tinwald Lodge St Peters Sq Hammersmith LND. George was described as a grandson aged 11 a scholar born Nayland SFK

3. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, Royal Naval College Portsea HAM. George is recorded as an officer RN single aged 21 born Nayland SFK

4. Census: England, 31 Mar 1901, Royal Navy vessels at sea HMS Pomone. George is recorded as a member of crew single a Lieut aged 31 born Nayland SFK

5. George Edward Basil Hand: RN service record.

George married Beatrice Carrie Bedford KENYON [554] [MRIN: 162], daughter of Edmund Peel Bedford KENYON [555] and Isabella [9592], on 26 May 1909 in St Leonards Aldrington. (Beatrice Carrie Bedford KENYON [554] was born about 1877 in New Zealand and died on 5 Dec 1936 in Weybread Lodge Suffolk.)