23 Facts About Henry Leach

Henry Leach was born the third son of John Leach, a naval officer, and Evelyn Burrell Leach.

Henry Leach was educated at St Peter's Court, Broadstairs, and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

Mauritius soon went into refit in Singapore, during which time Leach was assigned to the war room there as a plotting officer.

Henry Leach was in command of the "A" turret and he was involved in the Battle of the North Cape in December 1943.

Henry Leach was given the position as first lieutenant and the ship was transformed within a few weeks.

Henry Leach was promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 February 1952 and attended the Royal Naval Staff College, before becoming a staff officer for the Naval Brigade in London for the coronation of the Queen.

Henry Leach saw service in the Malayan Emergency of 1955 when HMS Newcastle supported the Army and Royal Marines.

Henry Leach was promoted to commander on 30 June 1955 and served as application commander responsible for bringing the navy's first surface-to-air missile, the Sea Slug, into service.

Henry Leach was posted to the Training Directorate in the Admiralty in July 1961 and then attended the Joint Service Defence College before receiving promotion to captain on 31 December 1961.

Henry Leach was a strong supporter of the abolition of the daily issue of rum at that time.

Henry Leach was appointed Naval Aide-de-Camp to the Queen on 7 July 1970.

Henry Leach became Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff at the Ministry of Defence in April 1971, receiving promotion to rear admiral on 7 July 1971, and then became Flag Officer First Flotilla in May 1974, with promotion to vice admiral on 6 July 1974.

Henry Leach became Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff in January 1976, and having been appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1977 New Year Honours, he was promoted to full admiral on 30 March 1977 on appointment as Commander-in-Chief Fleet and NATO Commander-in-Chief, Channel and Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic.

Henry Leach was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1978 Birthday Honours.

Henry Leach was appointed First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff on 6 July 1979 and in that role fiercely resisted naval cuts proposed by Defence Secretary John Nott.

On 31 March 1982, shortly before the Argentine invasion of the Falklands, Henry Leach brushed aside serious doubts from the Secretary of State for Defence Sir John Nott and addressed the Prime Minister on the appropriate response to any possible invasion.

The Chief of the Defence Staff at the time was on his way back from a foreign visit, and in addressing the Prime Minister, Henry Leach effectively bypassed the Acting Chief of the Defence Staff.

Henry Leach then explained how the task force would take shape and what ships would be involved: when asked about the lack of available aircraft carriers, Henry Leach reassured the Prime Minister that the two small carriers available would suffice.

In retirement, Henry Leach published his memoirs entitled Endure no Makeshifts.

Henry Leach involved himself in several charitable organisations and acted as President of the Sea Cadet Association from 1983 to 1993.

In 2004, it was announced that the new Navy Command Headquarters building of the Royal Navy at Whale Island, Portsmouth, was to be named the "Sir Henry Leach Building" in his honour.

Henry Leach lived at Wonston in Hampshire and served as Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.

Henry Leach died on 26 April 2011 at the age of 87.