25 Facts About Michael Pollock

Michael Pollock was deployed to the Mediterranean in the destroyer HMS Express in September 1935 and saw service with her during the Abyssinian crisis.

Michael Pollock was promoted sub-lieutenant on 1 May 1937, and appointed to the cruiser HMS York, flagship of the America and West Indies Station in October 1937 and, after promotion to lieutenant on 1 August 1938, he transferred to the battleship HMS Warspite, based in Malta in June 1939.

Michael Pollock's ship was badly damaged by German aircraft off Dover in July 1940.

Michael Pollock joined the shore establishment HMS Excellent to train as a gunnery specialist in January 1941, and, having qualified, became a gunnery instructor there, but was then appointed gunnery officer on the light cruiser HMS Arethusa in Alexandria, where he was involved in the struggle to get supplies to Malta.

Michael Pollock was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.

Michael Pollock remained with Norfolk while she was repaired on the Tyne, and so missed D-Day, and was involved in further action off the coast of Norway.

Michael Pollock was on Norfolk, visiting Malta en route to the Far East, when the Japanese surrendered on 15 August 1945.

Michael Pollock returned to HMS Excellent as a gunnery instructor in January 1946 and, having been promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 June 1946, became an application officer at the Admiralty Signals Research Establishment in August 1947.

Michael Pollock became Fleet Gunnery Officer to the Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station in October 1949.

Michael Pollock became Assistant Chief of Naval Staff in March 1964, with promotion to rear admiral on 7 July 1964, in the lead up to a defence review by the Labour government which resulted in the 1966 Defence White Paper.

Michael Pollock was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1966 Birthday Honours.

Michael Pollock became second-in-command of the Home Fleet in May 1966 with his flag in the cruiser HMS Tiger.

Michael Pollock led the Royal Navy delegations to the Royal Canadian Navy's centennial celebration of Canadian Confederation at Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1967, and to Expo 67 in Montreal, Quebec.

Michael Pollock was promoted vice-admiral on 26 December 1967 on appointment as Flag Officer Submarines and NATO Commander Submarines in the Eastern Atlantic.

Michael Pollock was in this post when the first Polaris missile was tested and the Faslane submarine base was developed.

The new First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Peter Hill-Norton, was promoted in Le Fanu's place, and Michael Pollock, having been advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1971 New Year Honours, was suddenly invited to replace Hill-Norton as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in March 1971.

Michael Pollock was involved in the decisions that led to the creation of the "through deck cruiser", which became the small Invincible-class aircraft carriers.

Michael Pollock was First and Principal Naval Aide de camp to the Queen from August 1972 to March 1974.

In retirement Michael Pollock was Chairman of the Naval Insurance Trust from 1975 to 1985.

Michael Pollock was King of Arms of the Order of the Bath and Gloucester King of Arms, with responsibility for heraldry in Wales from 1976 to 1985.

Michael Pollock's interests included walking, shooting, fishing and local affairs in Powys.

Michael Pollock died in Martock in Somerset on 27 September 2006.

Michael Pollock married Margaret Steacy in 1940, and they had two sons and a daughter.

Michael Pollock remarried in 1954, to Marjory Reece, acquiring a stepdaughter.

One of his sons became a lieutenant-commander in the Navy and his grandson, Barney Michael Pollock, who joined the Navy, passed out at Dartmouth in December 2004 with the Commandant Talbot prize for leadership and the Queen's Sword.