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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

SAGS (0) (F. G. Eyre, Midsn. R.N, H.M.S. “Boadicea”);
British War and Victory Medals with MID (R. Adml. F. G. Eyre.);
Jubilee 1897, silver;
Coronation 1911;
Italy, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, 3rd Class neck badge, gold and enamels, in its Cravanzola, Roma, fitted case of issue,

Francis George Eyre was born at Marylebone, Middlesex on 4 February 1864, the son of the Rev. Charles Eyre, onetime Rector of Great Melton, Norfolk; his elder brother, Cresswell, also enjoyed a distinguished naval career. Young Francis entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in July 1876 and, on passing out, joined the steam corvette H.M.S. Boadicea on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station. It was during this seagoing commission that he was appointed Midshipman and present in operations in the Zulu War.

Following his promotion to Sub. Lieutenant in early 1883, Eyre attended a gunnery course at Excellent before joining the Albatross on the China Station, where he was advanced to Lieutenant in April 1886. Over the coming decade or so, besides several seagoing appointments, he attended numerous courses and gained 1st Class Certificates in Seamanship, Torpedo and Pilotage, in addition to Gunnery. He also gained steady promotion, being appointed Commander in June 1898 and Captain in June 1903, when he took command of the cruiser Venus in the Mediterranean.

In November 1905, Venus was part of a British Squadron that was ordered to be present at Genoa for the opening of the new harbour by the Italian King and Queen. In the course of the latter’s visit to the British flagship Goliath, the steamboat of the Italian ship Garibaldi was involved in an accident and received assistance from the Royal Navy. For these services the King of Italy bestowed decorations on selected officers and men of the British ships present, and Eyre was appointed a Commander of the Order of the Crown.

On returning home, he was appointed Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance in January 1911, in which post he was advanced to Rear-Admiral and remained employed until July 1914. As there were very few commands for Flag Officers on the outbreak of war, Eyre characteristically offered his services in any capacity in which they might be of use. Thus, in July 1915, he was granted pay and allowances for ‘Special Service’ in connection with the manufacture of poison gases. His next appointment was for duties with the Transport Service, and he was employed in this capacity in the Mediterranean until early 1916.

Promoted to Vice-Admiral in October 1918, Eyre was placed on the Retired List at his own request in February 1919. Having then been advancement to Admiral (Retired), he died in January 1941, aged 77.