Sir Robin Durnford-Slater | |
---|---|
Birth name | Leonard Francis Slater |
Born | 9 July 1902
[1] Punjab, British India [2] |
Died | 28 June 1984 Chichester, Sussex, England | (aged 81)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1923–1961 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held |
HMS Hermes HMS Vernon HMS Gambia Nore Command |
Battles/wars |
World War II Suez Crisis |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Robin Leonard Francis Durnford-Slater KCB (born Leonard Francis Slater; 9 July 1902 – 28 June 1984) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be the last Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.
Born as Leonard Francis Slater in 1902 in the Punjab area of India the son of Leonard Slater, a captain in the British Army, and his wife Constance Durnford Slater. His younger brother John became notable as the first British Commando during World War II. [3]
He was educated at Summer Fields School. [4]
Durnford-Slater joined the Royal Navy in 1923. [5]
He served in World War II, initially as Executive Officer on the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes which was sunk in 1942. [6] He then joined the torpedo school HMS Vernon. [7] He next became Senior Officer for the 42nd and the 7th Escort Group of Western Approaches Command. [7] Later he became Training Captain on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches Command and finally Director of Underwater Weapons at the Admiralty. [7]
After the War he became Senior Officer for 1st Escort Flotilla in the Far East Fleet. [7] He went on to be Commandant at the School of Amphibious Warfare and then Captain of the cruiser HMS Gambia. [7] In 1953 he was made Deputy Controller of the Navy. [7] As Flag Officer, Air and Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Fleet he commanded the naval forces, Task Force 345 north of the canal and Task Force 324 south of it from HMS Tyne [8] during the Suez Crisis, Musketeer, in 1956. [9] From 1958, he was the last Commander-in-Chief, The Nore. [7] He retired in 1961. [7]