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.
Sir Derek Empson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 October 1918 Sleaford, England[1] |
| Died | 20 September 1997 (aged 78) Hampshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1940–1976 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | 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 |
Naval career
editEducated 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]
Later life
editIn 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]
References
edit- ^ Who's who in the World, Issues 1976–1977
- ^ Eastbourne College
- ^ a b c d e f g Sir Leslie Derek Empson Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives
- ^ "No. 45083". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 April 1970. p. 4465.
- ^ "No. 45745". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 August 1972. p. 9433.
- ^ Asia / Pacific Conference Report Billboard, 17 March 1979
- ^ "No. 50721". The London Gazette. 18 November 1986. p. 14834.