Michael Torrens-Spence

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Captain Frederick Michael Alexander Torrens-Spence DSO, DSC, AFC (10 March 1914 - 2001) was a highly decorated Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilot in the Second World War.

Contents 1 Early Life 2 Career 3 Later Life 4 References

[edit] Early Life

Known as 'Tiffy', Torrens-Spence was born in Whiteabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland the son of a professional soldier. At the age of 13 he attended Dartmouth Royal Naval College.

[edit] Career

Torrens-Spence earned the distinction of holding held commissions in the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Torrens-Spence took part in the attack on Italian battleships in the Battle of Taranto, as well as the Battle of Cape Matapan.

During the Swordfish attack in Taranto harbour, he torpedoed one of Italy's newest and largest battleships, the Littorio, severely damaging her.

He later became c/o of 815 Squadron in Albania.

[edit] Later Life

In 1981 he became Lord Lieutenant of Armagh after the murder of Sir Norman Stronge bt.. During this time he resided at Laurelvale House, Laurelvale. He was never overtly involved in politics but remained throughout his life a committed Unionist, yet saddened by the governments appeasing of terrorism. He was married to Rachel Torrens-Spence, with whom he had four children.

Honorary Titles
Preceded by Sir Norman Stronge	Lord Lieutenant of Armagh 1981–1988	Succeeded by The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Caledon

[edit] References

• Michael Torrens-Spence The Daily Telegraph. Accessed 27 February 2007.