Edward Neville Syfret

Admiral Sir Edward Neville Syfret, (20 June 1889 – 10 December 1972) was a senior officer in the Royal Navy who saw service in both World Wars. He was knighted for his part in Operation Pedestal, the critical Malta convoy, in the Second World War.

Naval career Born the son of Edward Ridge Syfret of Cape Town in South Africa and educated at Diocesan College, South Africa and the Britannia Royal Naval College, Syfret joined the Royal Navy in 1904 and, in his early service years, specialised in naval gunnery. He played in a Navy v Army cricket match at Lord's in 1911 and 1912.

First World War In World War I he became gunnery officer in the light cruisers HMS Aurora, and . In 1932 he was put in command of on the China Station in 1932.

Second World War Syfret served in the Second World War initially as Captain of .

He was appointed Commander of Force H later that year and then, in 1943, became Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.

After the war he became Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet; he retired in 1948.

Family In 1913 he married Hildegarde Warner. They had one son and one daughter.