John de Robeck

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Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Michael de Robeck, 1st Baronet, GCB, GCMG, GCVO (10 June 1862 – 20 January 1928) was a Royal Navy officer best known for commanding the Allied naval forces at Gallipoli during World War I.

Early life and career
John de Robeck was born in Naas, Ireland, the son of John Henry Edward Fock, 4th Baron de Robeck. He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1875 and advanced through the ranks over the next decades. In the early 20th century he commanded four flotillas of destroyers as Admiral of Patrols, and in 1914 led the 9th Cruiser Squadron, capturing the German liners Schlesien and Graecia.

World War I and the Dardanelles
In 1915, de Robeck became second-in-command of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron and then took command of the Allied effort in the Dardanelles after Admiral Sackville Carden fell ill. The campaign to force the straits began in March 1915. It nearly succeeded, but mines in the straits sank three Allied battleships. After that naval campaign, ground fighting on Gallipoli began. Despite initial landings at Cape Helles and Anzac Cove, and another attempt at Suvla Bay in August 1915, the campaign failed. De Robeck advised against another major naval push, and the Allies ultimately evacuated Gallipoli on the night of 8 January 1916. For his service in the campaign, he received high honours.

Later career
After Gallipoli, de Robeck served as Commander of the 3rd Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet and then the 2nd Battle Squadron, reaching the rank of vice admiral in 1917. In 1919 he became Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet and British High Commissioner to Turkey, and he was promoted to full admiral in 1920. In 1922 he became Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet and retired in 1924. He later served as President of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

Honours and retirement
De Robeck was made a baronet in 1919 and received several high honours, including Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. He was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet in 1925. He married Hilda Maud, Lady de Robeck, in 1922; they had no children. He died in London on 20 January 1928.