John Roberts (Royal Navy officer)

Educated at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Roberts joined the Royal Navy in 1941 at HMS St Vincent during the Second World War.^[1] He was given command of 803 Naval Air Squadron on board the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in 1957 and of the frigate HMS St Bride's Bay in 1960.^[1] He went on to be commanding officer of the Leander-class frigate HMS Galatea in 1966 and commanding officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal in 1971.^[1] After that he became Flag Officer Sea Training in 1972,^[2] Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief Fleet in 1974 and Flag Officer, Naval Air Command in 1976 before retiring in 1978.^[1]

Roberts was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1976 New Year Honours.^[3] He turned 100 on 4 April 2024,^[4] and died at his home on 27 December 2025, at the age of 101.^[5]