1720, rear-admiral of Great Britain—which honours he did not long live to enjoy, as he died the same year.
He was a most valuable officer, and if he had not the honour as commander-in-chief to gain any great victory, it arose from the humiliation of the enemy, who dared not encounter the British fleets, after the complete overthrow he had contributed to give them at Cape La Hogue.
GEORGE AYLMER
Was the third son of Sir Christopher Aylmer, of Balrath in Ireland. He was successively appointed lieutenant of the Sweepstakes, and the Dunkirk; and promoted to the command of the Dartmouth on the 1lth of September, 1680. He was removed into the Ann yacht on the 14th of April; and, on the 8th of February, 1683-4, he was appointed captain of the Foresight. James II. supposing him to be an officer strongly attached to him, appointed him to the command of the Reserve; and afterwards, on the 26th of October, 1688, to the Portland. But James was certainly mistaken respecting the principles of Captain Aylmer, for, though he had too much integrity to quit the service of his former sovereign while he kept possession of his throne, he would not become the supporter of that sovereign's measures, in concert with a foreign power who was the natural enemy of this country, against those whose allegiance James's tyranny had broken He acknowledged the Prince of Orange his lawful sovereign, by the title of William III. and that monarch continued him in his command--a trust he highly merited. He was soon after killed at the battle of Bantry Bay, after having eminently distinguished himself by his heroic intrepidity.
