George Hyde (admiral)

George Hyde (1877 – 1958) was an Australian naval officer who served as First Naval Member (Chief of Naval Staff) of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1941 to 1947.

Born in South Australia, Hyde entered the RAN as a midshipman in 1891. He served in various ships and roles throughout his early career, including time with the Royal Navy. Promotion to Captain came in 1923 and Rear Admiral in 1934.

Hyde's tenure as Chief of Naval Staff coincided with World War II. He played a key role in the expansion and modernization of the RAN, overseeing its contribution to the Allied war effort in the Pacific and other theaters. He was responsible for coordinating naval operations, resource allocation, and strategic planning during a period of immense pressure and significant growth for the Australian Navy. He advocated for increased Australian control over naval operations in the Pacific, often working with, and sometimes disagreeing with, Allied commanders.

Admiral Hyde retired from the RAN in 1947. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and later a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) for his service.