Peter Abbott
Royal Navy Admiral (1942–2015)
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Sir Peter Charles Abbott (12 February 1942 – 28 September 2015) was a Royal Navy officer and Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom.
Sir Peter Abbott | |
|---|---|
Then-Rear Admiral Peter Abbott on board Invincible class aircraft carrier | |
| Born | 12 February 1942 New Delhi, British India |
| Died | 28 September 2015 (aged 73) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1964–2001 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | |
| Conflicts | Falklands War |
| Awards | |
| Other work | Commissioner of Commonwealth War Graves |
Early life
Abbott was born on 12 February 1942.[1] He was educated at St. Edward's School, Oxford before going on to Queens' College, Cambridge.[2]
Military career
Abbott was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1964.[3] He commanded the minesweeper HMS Chawton from 1972 to 1975 and then joined the staff of the Senior Naval Officer in the West Indies.[3]
He became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Ambuscade in 1976, second-in-command of the aircraft carrier HMS Bulwark in 1980 and the Chief of Defence Staff's briefer during the Falklands War in 1982.[3] He then became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Ajax as well as captain of the 1st Frigate Squadron in 1983.[3]
He became Director of Navy Plans in 1985 and, having been promoted to rear admiral, he was appointed Flag Officer, Second Flotilla in 1989.[3] He was made Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff in 1991 and, having been promoted to vice admiral, was appointed Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in 1993.[3] He became Commander-in-Chief Fleet and, having been promoted to admiral in 1995, he became Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in 1997.[3]
Later life
In retirement, Abbott was made Chairman of the Trustees of the Royal Naval Museum.[4] He was also President of MSSC, governing charity of the Marine Society and the Sea Cadets.[5]
Honours and decorations
_Ribbon.png){kind=small} | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) | 1999[8] |
 | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) | 1994[9] |
 | Officer of the Legion of Merit | (United States) 1995[10] |