David Leach (admiral)
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David Willoughby Leach
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| Born | 17 July 1928 Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Allegiance |  Australia |
| Service/ |
 Royal Australian Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1985 |
| Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands held | Chief of Naval Staff (1982–85) HM Australian Fleet (1979–80) HMAS Perth (1968–69) HMAS Vendetta (1964–66) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War Vietnam War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of Australia Commander of the Order of the British Empire Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order |
Vice Admiral David Willoughby Leach AC, CBE, LVO, RAN, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , (born 17 July 1928) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 1982 to 1985.
Early life
Leach was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, on 17 July 1928 to John Digby Leach, a First World War veteran and later Commissioner of Main Roads in Western Australia,[1][2][3] and his wife Grace Lilian. Initially educated at Perth Modern School,[1] Leach entered the Royal Australian Naval College in January 1942 aged thirteen.[4]
Leach commanded the guided missile destroyers HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Perth during the Vietnam War[5] for which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969.[6] In 1970 he managed naval liaison for the Royal Visit to Australia for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.[7]
He was appointed Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet in 1979 and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1982.[5] He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1984,[8] and retired in 1985.[5]
References
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- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Hobart Association
- ↑ It's an honour – The Order of the British Empire – Commander (Military)
- ↑ It's an honour – The Royal Victorian Order – Lieutenant
- ↑ It's an honour – Companion of the Order of Australia
| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by
Vice Admiral Sir James Willis
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Chief of the Naval Staff 1982–1985 |
Succeeded by Admiral Michael Hudson |
| Preceded by
Rear Admiral James Willis
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Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet 1979–1980 |
Succeeded by Rear Admiral Peter Doyle |
| Director, Commonwealth Naval Forces |
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| First Naval Members, Australian Commonwealth Naval Board |
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| Chiefs of the Naval Staff | ||
| Chiefs of Navy | ||
| Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Fleet |
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| Rear Admiral Commanding HM Australian Squadron | ||
| Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet |
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| Maritime Commander Australia | ||
| Commander Australian Fleet |
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- Use dmy dates from February 2014
- Use Australian English from February 2014
- All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English
- 1928 births
- Australian military personnel of the Vietnam War
- Australian military personnel of World War II
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Order of Australia
- Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Living people
- People educated at Perth Modern School
- People from Perth, Western Australia
- Royal Australian Navy admirals
