| Sir Robert Harris | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1844 |
| Died | 1926 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Cape of Good Hope Station |
| Battles/wars | Second Boer War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Robert Hastings Penruddock Harris KCB (1844–1926) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station.
Harris joined the Royal Navy in 1856.[1] Promoted to Captain in 1879 and to Rear-Admiral in 1891, he commanded the Training Squadron from 1893 to 1895 before becoming Second-in-Command of the Mediterranean Fleet in 1896.[1] He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station in 1898 and played an important role in the Second Boer War:[1] in October 1899 he formed a Naval Brigade and despatched the brigade to support General Frederick Forestier-Walker in defeating of the Boers at the Battle of Ladysmith - one of the guns surrendered by the Boers survives at Devonport today.[2] Promoted to Vice Admiral in 1901[3] and full Admiral in 1904 he went on to be President of the Old Royal Naval College at Greenwich.[4]
He lived at Yelverton in Devon.[5]
He married Florence Cordelia Henn-Gennys; they had three sons and five daughters.[5]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Harry Rawson |
Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope Station 1898–1900 |
Succeeded by Sir Arthur Moore |