| Sir Peveril William-Powlett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 March 1898 Abergavenny, Monmouthshire |
| Died | 10 November 1985 Honiton, Devon |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1914 - 1954 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | HMS Frobisher HMS Fiji HMS Newcastle South Atlantic Station |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Order |
| Rugby union career | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Prop | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| United Services Portsmouth | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1922[1] | England | 1 | (0) |
Vice Admiral Sir Peveril Barton Reiby Wallop William-Powlett KCB KCMG CBE DSO (5 March 1898 – 10 November 1985) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic Station.
William-Powlett joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in 1914 and served in World War I specialising in signals.[2] A keen sportsman, he played rugby for England in 1922.[3] He saw service with the New Zealand Division from 1931 to 1936 and then commanded the cadet training ship HMS Frobisher in 1939.[2]
He served in World War II as Director of Manning at the Admiralty and then commanded the cruiser HMS Fiji which was sunk during the Battle of Crete in 1941.[2] He was appointed Chief of Staff of Force H at Gibraltar in 1941 and then commanded HMS Newcastle from 1942.[2] He became Captain of the Fleet in the Home Fleet in 1944.[2]
After the War he commanded the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and then became Naval Secretary in 1948.[2] He went on to be Flag Officer (Destroyers) in the Mediterranean Fleet in 1950 and Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic in 1952.[2] He retired in 1954.[2]
In retirement he served as Governor of Southern Rhodesia from 1954 until 1959.[2]
In 1923 he married Helen Constance Crombie; they had three daughters.[4] Following the death of his first wife he married Barbara Patience William-Powett, widow of his brother, in 1966.[4]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Maurice Mansergh |
Naval Secretary 1948–1950 |
Succeeded by William Davis |
| Preceded by Sir Herbert Packer |
Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic Station 1952–1954 |
Succeeded by Sir Ian Campbell |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir Robert Tredgold |
Governor of Southern Rhodesia 1954-1959 |
Succeeded by Sir Humphrey Gibbs |