Peter Abbott

For the footballer, see Peter Abbott (footballer).
Sir Peter Abbott
Born 12 February 1942
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch  Royal Navy
Years of service 1964–2001
Rank Admiral
Commands held Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
Commander-in-Chief Fleet
HMS Ajax
HMS Ambuscade
HMS Chawton
Battles/wars Falklands War
Awards Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Other work Commissioner of Commonwealth War Graves

Admiral Sir Peter Charles Abbott GBE, KCB (12 February 1942) is a retired Royal Navy officer and former Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff.

Early life

Abbott was born on 12 February 1942.[1] He was educated at Queens' College, Cambridge.[2]

Military career

Abbott was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1964.[3] He commanded the minesweeper, HMS Chawton, from 1972 to 1975 and then joined the staff of the Senior Naval Officer in the West Indies.[3]

He became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Ambuscade in 1976, second-in-command of the aircraft carrier HMS Bulwark in 1980 and the Chief of Defence Staff's briefer during the Falklands War in 1982.[3] He then became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Ajax as well as captain of the 1st Frigate Squadron in 1983.[3]

He became Director of Navy Plans in 1985 and, having been promoted to rear admiral, he was appointed Flag Officer Second Flotilla in 1989.[3] He was made Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff in 1991 and, having been promoted to vice admiral, was appointed Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in 1993.[3] He became Commander-in-Chief Fleet and, having been promoted to admiral in 1995, he became Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in 1997.[3]

In retirement he was made Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Naval Museum.[4] He is also President of MSSC, governing charity of the Marine Society and the Sea Cadets.[5]

Honours and decorations

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) 1999[6]
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) 1994[7]
Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) 1995[8]

References

  1. "Abbott, Adm. Sir Peter (Charles)". Who's who 1998 : an annual biographical dictionary. New York: St. Martin's Press. 1998. ISBN 0312175914.
  2. Queens' College e-bulletin for the 1960 Anniversary Celebration Invitation Dinner
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Admiral Sir Peter Abbott Debretts
  4. Royal Naval Museum
  5. MSSC – Who's who
  6. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 55354. p. 5. 30 December 1998. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  7. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 53696. p. 2. 10 June 1994. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  8. Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003
Military offices
Preceded by
Hugo White
Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff
1991–1993
Succeeded by
John Brigstocke
Preceded by
Sir Peter Woodhead
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
1993–1995
Succeeded by
Sir Ian Garnett
Preceded by
Sir Hugo White
Commander-in-Chief Fleet
1995–1997
Succeeded by
Sir Michael Boyce
Preceded by
Sir John Willis
Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
1997–2001
Succeeded by
Sir Anthony Bagnall
Heraldic offices
Preceded by
Sir Patrick Hine
King of Arms of the Order of the British Empire
2011–Present
Incumbent