Desmond Dreyer
| Sir Desmond Dreyer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 April 1910 |
| Died | 15 May 2003 |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1924 - 1968 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held |
Flag Officer (Flotillas) for the Mediterranean Fleet Flag Officer Air (Home) Far East Fleet |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Suez Crisis Malayan Emergency |
| Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Service Cross |
Admiral Sir Desmond Parry Dreyer GCB CBE DSC DL (6 April 1910 – 15 May 2003) was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.
Naval career
Dreyer joined the Royal Navy in 1924.[1] He served in World War II at sea and in the Admiralty.[1] He distinguished himself as Gunnery Officer on HMS Ajax at the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939 winning the DSC for his role in this action.[2]
He was appointed Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet in 1955 and was involved in the Suez Crisis in 1956.[2] He went on to be Assistant Chief of Naval Staff in 1958, Flag Officer (Flotillas) for the Mediterranean Fleet in 1960 and Flag Officer Air (Home) in 1961.[1] He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Far East Fleet in 1962: following the Malayan Emergency he co-ordinated Commonwealth naval forces in their successful resistance to Indonesian incursions into the newly formed Malaysia.[3]
He became Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel in 1965.[1] He was also Principal Naval Aide-de-camp to the Queen from 1965 to 1968.[1] His last appointment was as Chief Advisor (Personnel and Logistics) to Denis Healey, the Secretary of State for Defence in 1967: he retired in 1968.[1]
In retirement he became a member of the Prices and Incomes Board and the Armed Forces' Pay Review Board.[2] He was also Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.[2] From 1970 to 1971 he was Chairman of the Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889).[4]
Family
In 1934 he married Elisabeth Chilton: they went on to have two sons and a daughter.[2] In 1959, following his first wife's death, he married Majorie Whiteley.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Obituary: Sir Desmond Dreyer Daily Telegraph, 21 May 2003
- ↑ Obituary: Sir Desmond Dreyer The Guardian, 21 May 2003
- ↑ Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889).
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir David Luce |
Commander-in-Chief, Far East Fleet 1962–1965 |
Succeeded by Sir Frank Twiss |
| Preceded by Sir Royston Wright |
Second Sea Lord 1965–1967 |
Succeeded by Sir Peter Hill-Norton |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by Sir Wilfrid Woods |
First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp 1965–1968 |
Succeeded by Sir John Frewen |
| Court offices | ||
| Preceded by Sir William Stirling |
Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State 1973–1980 |
Succeeded by Sir John Barraclough |