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Vice Admiral Sir Hugh Evan-Thomas GCB, KCMG, MVO was born on 27 October 1862 and became a British Royal Navy officer.
In 1877 at the age of 15 Hugh Thomas was a naval cadet on the training ship HMS Britannia. In September, the royal princes George Frederick and his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence both joined the ship as part of their education. Thomas left Britannia in December 1877, but not before a friendship was established. George sent him a Christmas card (from 'Sprat', while Albert was 'herring' and Thomas 'Old Voice'), both wrote letters and Dalton (the prince's tutor) wrote to Thomas requesting that he write back and remain in contact.
During World War I he commanded the 5th Battle squadron of the Grand Fleet, flying his flag in HMS Barham, and fought in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May - 1 June 1916. Evan-Thomas became Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1921 and retired in 1924
He died on 30 August 1928 (aged 65) at Cople in Bedfordshire.
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