Edward Ashmore
Encyclopedia
Admiral of the Fleet
Sir Edward Beckwith Ashmore GCB
, DSC
(born 11 December 1919) is a former senior Royal Navy
officer. He served as the Chief of the Defence Staff
(CDS) of the United Kingdom and thus the professional head of the British Armed Forces.
in 1933.
He served in World War II
in the Home Fleet and British Pacific Fleet
and was on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, from 1944 to 1945.
After the War he became Assistant Naval Attache in Moscow
and then was appointed Communications Office for 3rd Aircraft Carrier Squadron in 1950. He commanded HMS Alert
from 1952 to 1953 and HMS Blackpool
during 1958.
He was appointed Director of Naval Plans in 1960 and Commander of British Forces in the Caribbean in 1963. In 1966 he became Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, then in 1967 Flag Officer Second in Command of the Far East Fleet and then in 1969 Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
In 1971 in the rank of Admiral
, he was the last Commander-in-Chief Western Fleet
for the last two months of the command's existence in 1971. He was appointed as the first Commander-in-Chief Fleet
, as a result of the amalgamation of the Far East Fleet and the Western Fleet into the a single Fleet Command. In this role, for the first time in the history of the Royal Navy, he was the sole officer responsible for the preparation and operation of all the ships, submarines and aircraft of the navy.
Between 1974 and 1977 he served as First Sea Lord
and Chief of the Naval Staff
. In February 1977, he was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet
and was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff
, serving in this role for only a short period before retiring at the end of August 1977.
and was at one time Chairman of the Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889).
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Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996....
Sir Edward Beckwith Ashmore GCB
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
, DSC
Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
(born 11 December 1919) is a former senior Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
officer. He served as the Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the British Armed Forces, a senior official within the Ministry of Defence, and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister...
(CDS) of the United Kingdom and thus the professional head of the British Armed Forces.
Naval career
Educated at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Edward Ashmore joined the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in 1933.
He served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the Home Fleet and British Pacific Fleet
British Pacific Fleet
The British Pacific Fleet was a British Commonwealth naval force which saw action against Japan during World War II. The fleet was composed of British Commonwealth naval vessels. The BPF formally came into being on 22 November 1944...
and was on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, from 1944 to 1945.
After the War he became Assistant Naval Attache in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
and then was appointed Communications Office for 3rd Aircraft Carrier Squadron in 1950. He commanded HMS Alert
HMS Alert (K647)
HMS Alert a of the British Royal Navy. She was originally laid down as the Loch-class vessel Loch Scamdale, and re-ordered as Dundrum Bay while building...
from 1952 to 1953 and HMS Blackpool
HMS Blackpool (F77)
HMS Blackpool was a Whitby-class or Type 12 anti-submarine frigate of the Royal Navy. Blackpool was loaned to the Royal New Zealand Navy between 7 June 1966 and 1971....
during 1958.
He was appointed Director of Naval Plans in 1960 and Commander of British Forces in the Caribbean in 1963. In 1966 he became Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, then in 1967 Flag Officer Second in Command of the Far East Fleet and then in 1969 Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
In 1971 in the rank of Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
, he was the last Commander-in-Chief Western Fleet
British Western Fleet
The British Western Fleet was a fleet level command in the Royal Navy.The Western Fleet was formed in 1967 from the historic Home Fleet, as a result of the disbandment of the Mediterranean Fleet...
for the last two months of the command's existence in 1971. He was appointed as the first Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Commander-in-Chief Fleet is the admiral responsible for the operation, resourcing and training of the ships, submarines and aircraft, and personnel, of the British Royal Navy...
, as a result of the amalgamation of the Far East Fleet and the Western Fleet into the a single Fleet Command. In this role, for the first time in the history of the Royal Navy, he was the sole officer responsible for the preparation and operation of all the ships, submarines and aircraft of the navy.
Between 1974 and 1977 he served as First Sea Lord
First Sea Lord
The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service; it was formerly known as First Naval Lord. He also holds the title of Chief of Naval Staff, and is known by the abbreviations 1SL/CNS...
and Chief of the Naval Staff
Chief of the Naval Staff
Chief of the Naval Staff is the formal title for the office of:* Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy* Chief of the Naval Staff, Pakistan NavyNavies of other countries have similar titles:* Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy...
. In February 1977, he was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy)
Admiral of the fleet is the highest rank of the British Royal Navy and other navies, which equates to the NATO rank code OF-10. The rank still exists in the Royal Navy but routine appointments ceased in 1996....
and was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the British Armed Forces, a senior official within the Ministry of Defence, and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister...
, serving in this role for only a short period before retiring at the end of August 1977.
Later career
In retirement he has served as Governor of Suttons Hospital in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and was at one time Chairman of the Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889).
Further reading
- The Battle and the Breeze, Edward Ashmore (autobiography)
- The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734 - 1995, Heathcote T. A., Pen & Sword Ltd, 2002, ISBN 0-85052-835-6
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