Frederick Edward-Collins


Sir George Frederick Basset Edward-Collins was a British senior officer in the Royal Navy during the first half of the twentieth century.

Early life

Edward-Collins was born in Bodmin, Cornwall, the son of Edward Charles Edward-Collins, of Trewardale, Blisland, a local landowner. He was the younger brother of Charles Edward-Collins.

Naval career

Edward-Collins enrolled in the navy on 15 January 1898. As a midshipman he was appointed to on 27 March 1900, on her first commission, to the China station. During the First World War Edward-Collins served on both and.
Edward-Collins commanded the light cruisers from April till September 1925, and from September 1925 till April 1927. He was also captain of the battlecruiser from December 1930 till March 1932, and was appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet on 13 September 1935. From 1938 until 1940 he commanded the 2nd Cruiser Squadron, and later in 1940 he became second in command of the Home Fleet. From June to November 1940 he commanded the 18th Cruiser Squadron. In December 1940 Edward-Collins became Flag Officer Commanding Gibraltar and Mediterranean Approaches. He was promoted to admiral on 21 January 1943, and retired on 7 February 1944.

Awards and recognition

Edward-Collins became Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on 17 June 1939. He was mentioned in dispatches in 1940, and became Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 1 January 1941. He was awarded the Order Odrodzenia Polski in recognition of services to the Polish Navy on 22 December 1942.