VIII
REAR-ADMIRAL SIR OSMOND DE BEAUVOIR BROCK, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.M.G.
REAR-ADMIRAL SIR OSMOND DE BEAUVOIR BROCK, K.C.V.O., C.B., C.M.G., entered the Navy in the early 'eighties of the last century, becoming a Midshipman on August 15th, 1884. While serving in the "Raleigh" he was awarded the Royal Humane Society's Testimonial on Vellum for having jumped overboard at Simon's Bay to the assistance of John Duggan, stoker.
He was promoted to Lieutenant on February 14th, 1889, having passed the examination with five First Class Certificates, and later specialised in Gunnery. He was promoted to Commander on January 1st, 1900, and on January 1st, 1904, he became a Captain. In 1905 he was Flag Captain to Lord Charles Beresford, and in November, 1910, was appointed Assistant Director of Naval Mobilisation. From January 8th, 1912, to August 1st, 1912, he acted as Assistant Director, Mobilisation Division, Admiralty War Staff.
REAR-ADMIRAL SIR OSMOND DE B. BROCK
During the action in Heligoland Bight on August 28th, 1914, Captain Brock commanded the "Princess Royal," and in the action off the Dogger Bank, January 24th, 1915, he commanded the same ship. When Sir David Beatty's flagship "Lion" was damaged he transferred his flag to the destroyer "Attack," and later the "Princess Royal." For his services Captain Brock was mentioned in despatches and awarded the C.B. He commanded a Battle Cruiser Squadron in the Battle of Jutland, was again mentioned in despatches and awarded the C.M.G. It was on these Battle Cruiser Squadrons, as Sir John Jellicoe remarked, that the brunt of the fighting fell, and Sir David Beatty reported the "able support" rendered him in the battle by their commanders.
He was Aide-de-Camp to the King from October 24th, 1913, to March 5th, 1915, when he became a Rear-Admiral.