Sir Derek Empson | |
---|---|
Born | Sleaford, England [1] | 29 October 1918
Died | 20 September 1997 Hampshire, England | (aged 78)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1940–1976 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held |
Naval Home Command (1974–75) Far East Fleet (1969–71) Flag Officer, Aircraft Carriers (1967–68) Carrier Strike Group Two (1967–68) HMS Eagle (1963–65) HMS Falcon (1952–54) 767 Naval Air Squadron (1946–48) |
Battles/wars | Second World War |
Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Leslie Derek Empson, GBE, KCB (29 October 1918 – 20 September 1997) was a senior officer in the Royal Navy who served as Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command from 1974 to 1975.
Educated at Eastbourne College, [2] Empson joined the Royal Navy at HMS St Vincent as a pilot 1940. [3] He served in the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. [3]
Empson was appointed Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord in 1957 and then became commanding officer of HMS Eagle in 1963. [3] He went on to be Flag Officer, Aircraft Carriers in 1967 and then Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations and Air) in 1968. [3] He was made Commander-in-Chief, Far East Fleet in 1969, was promoted to vice admiral on 21 April 1970, [4] and became Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel in 1971. [3] After promotion to full admiral on 1 August 1972, [5] he became Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and Flag Officer Portsmouth Area in 1974. [3] He retired in 1975. [3]
In retirement, Empson worked as a consultant for EMI. [6] He also held the posts of Rear-Admiral and then Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom. [7]