George Darby

Vice-Admiral of the Red George Darby ( – 26 March 1790) was a Royal Navy officer. He commanded HMS Norwich at the invasion of Martinique in 1762 during the Seven Years' War. He went on to command the Western Squadron during the American War of Independence and later in that war served as First Naval Lord when he commanded the force that relieved Gibraltar in April 1781 during the Great Siege of Gibraltar.

Early life and naval career

George Darby was born in King's County, Ireland, the second son of Jonathan Darby of Leap Castle and his wife Anna. He joined the Royal Navy as a volunteer-per-order in September 1742. Darby was promoted to lieutenant on 7 September 1742 and was promoted again to post-captain and made captain of HMS Aldborough on 12 September 1747. During the Seven Years' War he was made captain of HMS Seahorse in 1756, HMS Norwich in 1757 and HMS Devonshire in 1760. Darby served under Rear-Admiral of the Blue George Rodney during the invasion of Martinique in 1762. Admiral of the Blue Augustus Keppel's resignation during the controversy following the Battle of Ushant fought on 27 July 1778 left a vacancy for command of the Channel Fleet. On 19 March 1779 Darby was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Blue during the court martial of Vice-Admiral of the Blue Hugh Palliser thanks to Darby's association with First Lord of the Admiralty Lord Sandwich. Thus he unexpectedly came to command the Channel Fleet in 1780. and made First Naval Lord in the North ministry in September 1780; on 26 September in the same year he was promoted to Vice-Admiral of the White. In April 1781 he relieved Gibraltar during the Great Siege of Gibraltar; before dying on 26 March 1790. Darby's male issue achieved high military rank and held significant wealth: William Thomas St Quentin (1769-1805) lived at Darby House, Sunbury on Thames and later at Scampston Hall, Malton, Yorkshire Colonel Matthew Chitty Downes St. Quintin (his son) Major-General Matthew Chitty Darby-Griffith (1772–1823) lived at Padworth House, Berkshire