David Leach (admiral)
Australian admiral (1928–2020)
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Vice Admiral David Willoughby Leach, AC, CBE, LVO (17 July 1928 –19 January 2020) was a senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 1982 to 1985.
David Willoughby Leach | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 July 1928 |
| Died | 19 January 2020 (aged 91) |
| Allegiance | Australia |
Branch | Royal Australian Navy |
Service years | 1942–1985 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of Naval Staff (1982–85) HM Australian Fleet (1979–80) HMAS Perth (1968–69) HMAS Vendetta (1964–66) |
Conflicts | Second World War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of Australia Commander of the Order of the British Empire Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore) |
| Spouse | Pamela Leach |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Leach was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, on 17 July 1928 to John Digby Leach, a First World War veteran and later Commissioner of Main Roads in Western Australia,[1][2][3] and his wife Grace Lilian. Initially educated at Perth Modern School,[1] Leach entered the Royal Australian Naval College in January 1942 aged thirteen.[4]
Naval career
Leach commanded the guided missile destroyers HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Perth during the Vietnam War[5] for which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969.[6] In 1970 he managed naval liaison for the Royal Visit to Australia for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.[7]
He was appointed Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet in 1979 and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1982.[5] He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1984,[8] and retired in 1985.[5]
After retiring from the Navy, Leach joined the Council of the Australian War Memorial and became a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. He was also elected as an alderman in the Municipality of Woollahra, and served as mayor during 1995.[9][10] Leach died in Sydney on 19 January 2020.[9]
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