David Leach (admiral)

Vice Admiral David Willoughby Leach AC, CBE, LVO, RAN
Born	17 July 1928 (1928-07-17) (age 83) Perth, Western Australia
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Navy
Years of service	1942–1988
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands held	Chief of the Naval Staff HM Australian Fleet HMAS Perth HMAS Hobart
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 (17 July 1928 – ) was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 1982 to 1985.

Career

Leach was born on 17 July 1928 in Perth, Western Australia. Aged thirteen, he entered the Royal Australian Naval College in January 1942.^[1]

Leach commanded the guided missile destroyers HMAS Hobart and HMAS Perth during the Vietnam War^[2] for which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969.^[3] In 1970 he managed naval liaison for the Royal Visit to Australia for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.^[4]

He was appointed Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet in 1979 and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1982.^[2] He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1984,^[5] and retired in 1985.^[2]

References

1. ^ World War II Nominal Roll
2. ^ ^{a b c} Hobart Association
3. ^ It's an honour - The Order of the British Empire - Commander (Military)
4. ^ It's an honour - The Royal Victorian Order - Lieutenant
5. ^ It's an honour - Companion of the Order of Australia

Military offices
Preceded by Vice Admiral Sir James Willis	Chief of the Naval Staff 1982 – 1985	Succeeded by Vice Admiral Michael Hudson
Preceded by Rear Admiral James Willis	Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet 1979 – 1980	Succeeded by Rear Admiral Peter Doyle

Persondata
Name	Leach, David
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	17 July 1928
Place of birth	Perth, Western Australia
Date of death
Place of death