Daphne Mary Blundell, CB (19 August 1916 – 24 May 2004) was a senior British naval officer, who served as Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service from 1970 to 1973.
Daphne Blundell | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 August 1916 |
| Died | 24 May 2004 (aged 87) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Women's Royal Naval Service |
| Years of service | 1942–1973 |
| Rank | Commandant |
| Commands | Women's Royal Naval Service (1970–73) |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Early life and education
editBlundell was born on 19 August 1916. She was educated at St Helen's School, an all-girls private school in Northwood, London. She studied at Bedford College, London, the first higher education institution for women in the United Kingdom.[1]
Naval career
editBlundell joined the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) in November 1942.[1] She was promoted to acting third officer (equivalent to sub-lieutenant) on 26 September 1943.[2] During her early career, she served in Orkney, Ceylon, East Africa, and Malta.[1] She served on the staff of Flag Officer Naval Air Command from 1964 to 1967.[1] She was promoted to superintendent (equivalent to captain) in 1967.[1] She was on the staff of Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth between 1967 and 1969.[1] From 1969 to 1970, she was superintendent of WRNS Training and Drafting.[1] In 1970, she was appointed Director of the WRNS and promoted to commandant (equivalent to commodore).[1][3]
Blundell was appointed an Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 8 July 1970 and,[4] in the 1972 Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.[5] She stepped down as Honorary Aide-de-Camp in July 1973,[6] and retired from the WRNS on 24 August.[7]
Later life
editIn retirement, Blundell served as President of the Association of Wrens.[8] She never married nor had any children.[9]
Blundell died on 24 May 2004, aged 87.[1] Her funeral was held at Holy Trinity Church, Northwood on 3 June 2004.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Blundell, Commandant Daphne Mary". Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U7910.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "No. 36260". The London Gazette. 23 November 1943. p. 5146.
- ^ "Birthdays". The Times. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "No. 45168". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 August 1970. p. 8853.
- ^ "No. 45678". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 May 1972. p. 6256.
- ^ "No. 45899". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 February 1973. p. 1679.
- ^ "No. 46056". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 August 1973. p. 10047.
- ^ "President". Association of Wrens. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ a b "Deaths Announcements – BLUNDELL". Telegraph Announcements. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 April 2018.