16 Facts About Edward Ashmore

Edward Ashmore saw active service in the Second World War and later commanded two frigates before achieving high command in the Navy.

Edward Ashmore served as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in the mid-1970s and in that role he advised the incoming Labour government on a major defence review and on the implications of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

Edward Ashmore went on to be acting Chief of the Defence Staff, serving briefly in a caretaker capacity following the death of his predecessor.

Edward Ashmore was involved in a confrontation with the Imperial Japanese Navy at Qingdao over the SS Vincent de Paul in January 1939.

Edward Ashmore attended signals and radar training courses in 1943 and was posted to the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, as Fleet Wireless Assistant in December 1943.

Edward Ashmore became Squadron Signal Officer for the 4th Cruiser Squadron in September 1944 and helped provide naval support during the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945.

Edward Ashmore was mentioned in despatches for distinguished service in the Far East on 11 June 1946.

Edward Ashmore joined the staff of the Royal Navy Signals School in September 1947 and, having been promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 January 1948, he attended the Royal Naval Staff College in 1949.

Edward Ashmore was appointed Squadron Communications Officer for the 3rd Aircraft Carrier Squadron in October 1949 and, having been promoted to commander on 31 December 1950, was posted to the Admiralty as Assistant Director in the Radio Equipment Department.

Edward Ashmore attended the Joint Service Staff College before becoming Chief Signals Officer at the Headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Northern Europe in Oslo.

Edward Ashmore became Deputy Director of Naval Plans at the Admiralty in June 1960, Director of Naval Plans there in November 1960 and then Chairman of the Service Directors of Plans at the Ministry of Defence in December 1961.

Edward Ashmore was appointed Naval Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 7 July 1964 and promoted to rear admiral on appointment as Assistant Chief of Defence Staff on 7 January 1965.

Edward Ashmore became the last Commander-in-Chief Western Fleet in September 1971 and then the first Commander-in-Chief Fleet and NATO Commander-in-Chief, Channel and Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic, as a result of the amalgamation of the Far East Fleet and the Western Fleet into the a single Fleet Command in November 1971.

Edward Ashmore was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1974 New Year Honours.

Edward Ashmore became First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff on 1 March 1974.

Edward Ashmore was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 9 February 1977 and was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff that month serving in a caretaker capacity before retiring at the end of August 1977.