Robin Durnford-Slater

Born as Leonard Francis Slater in 1902 in the Punjab area of India the son of Leonard Slater, a captain in the British Army, and his wife Constance Durnford Slater. His younger brother John became notable as the first British Commando during World War II.^[3]

He was educated at Summer Fields School.^[4]

Durnford-Slater joined the Royal Navy in 1916. He was confirmed in the rank of sub-lieutenant in August 1923, with seniority dated 15 August 1922.^[5]

He served in World War II, initially as Executive Officer on the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes which was sunk in 1942.^[6] He then joined the torpedo school HMS Vernon.^[7] He next became Senior Officer for the 42nd and the 7th Escort Group of Western Approaches Command.^[7] Later he became Training Captain on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches Command and finally Director of Underwater Weapons at the Admiralty.^[7]

After the War he became Senior Officer for 1st Escort Flotilla in the Far East Fleet.^[7] He went on to be Commandant at the School of Amphibious Warfare and then Captain of the cruiser HMS Gambia.^[7] In 1953 he was made Deputy Controller of the Navy.^[7] As Flag Officer, Air and Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Fleet he commanded the naval forces, Task Force 345 north of the canal and Task Force 324 south of it from HMS Tyne^[8] during the Suez Crisis, Musketeer, in 1956.^[9] From 1958, he was the last Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.^[7] He retired in April 1961.^[10]