Philip Wilcocks
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral
Philip Lawrence Wilcocks, CB
DSC
(born 14 April 1953) is a former senior British Royal Navy
officer who became Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland
.
as Navigating Officer followed by command of the Fishery Protection minesweeper HMS Stubbington in 1978.
After qualifying as a Principal Warfare Officer in 1981, he served in the frigate HMS Ambuscade
, which included the Falklands War
in 1982 when he was actively involved in directing naval fire support to land forces. His survived an Exocet missile attack.
Specializing in Air Warfare he became Squadron Operations Officer to Captain 3rd Destroyer Squadron in HMS Newcastle
and HMS York
. This included the task of Group Operations Officer for the evacuation of Aden
in 1984. He subsequently moved to the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training
where he reinvigorated above water warfare training following his Falkland experiences.
Promoted to Commander
in 1989, he assumed command of the destroyer HMS Gloucester
in 1990. During this appointment, the ‘Fighting G’ fought in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm when the Lynx Helicopter operating from his ship destroyed 7 enemy warships (including 3 'TNC-45s, a T43 Minelayer, and a Polnocny Landing Ship Tank) with Sea Skua missiles. This was in the early phase of naval combat operations, with the Lynx (callsign '410' and one of four Fleet Air Arm Lynxes operating in the rotary wing 'SUCAP' role - others flying from HMSs Cardiff, London and Brazen) generally operating over 120 miles from the Gloucester, and being bought to bear on its targets either through its own sensors, or through targeting information provided by the US. During a later phase the Gloucester itself shot down a Silkworm missile which had been fired from the Al Fintas area of the Kuwait coast and which had been targeted against the battleship USS Missouri
. Although the Silkworm had missed its intended target, it still posed a threat to ships further downrange. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
for gallantry and sustained leadership under fire.
After a tour on the Naval Operations staff in the Ministry of Defence
(MOD), he went on promotion to the Directorate of Operational Requirements (Sea Systems) where he was responsible for future ships and their combat systems. In 1998, he assumed command of HMS Liverpool
as Captain 3rd Destroyer Squadron where he had operational command of 6 Type 42 destroyers.
He rejoined the MOD as the Director of Naval Operations in 1999. This tour included strategic crisis direction for East Timor
, Gulf and Balkans
operations while in 2000, he was the Crisis Director for the UK Operation Palliser
in support of the United Nations
in Sierra Leone
.
In July 2001, he assumed command of the training establishment HMS Collingwood
and formed the new Maritime Warfare School. He took up the post of Deputy Chief of Joint Operations at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters
on promotion to Rear Admiral
in early 2004; as well as operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan
, he was the Crisis Director for the UK military response to the 2005 Tsunami disaster.
Following a short 7 month tour as Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland
and Flag Officer Reserves, he became Chief of Staff (Capability) to Commander-in-Chief Fleet
in January 2007 assuming responsibility for generating the Fleet (ships, submarines, aircraft and marines) today, tomorrow and the future across all Defence Lines of Development. As Rear Admiral
Surface Ships he was also the “tribal chief” of the Surface Flotilla.
He is a Churchwarden at Dore Abbey and Vice Chair of Governors at Aylestone Business and Enterprise College in Hereford.
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Philip Lawrence Wilcocks, CB
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 14 April 1953) is a former senior British 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 who became Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland
Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland
The Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland is a senior post in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It is based at HM Naval Base Clyde and the holder of the post is the Royal Navy’s senior officer in Scotland with representational duties everywhere north of the M4. The...
.
Naval
Philip Wilcocks joined the Royal Navy in 1971. Following initial sea training, he was awarded the Queen’s Telescope and the Queen’s Gold Medal. His first appointments were the frigate HMS Torquay (F43)HMS Torquay (F43)
HMS Torquay was a Type 12 Whitby class frigate of the Royal Navy. They were the first frigate to have the "V" form hull. This evolutionary design made it possible to be driven in head sea without the usual slamming which occurs with conventional destroyers of the time...
as Navigating Officer followed by command of the Fishery Protection minesweeper HMS Stubbington in 1978.
After qualifying as a Principal Warfare Officer in 1981, he served in the frigate HMS Ambuscade
HMS Ambuscade (F172)
HMS Ambuscade was a Type 21 frigate of the Royal Navy. She was built by Yarrow Shipbuilders Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland. She was sold to Pakistan in 1993 and is still in service as the PNS Tariq.-Service history:...
, which included the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
in 1982 when he was actively involved in directing naval fire support to land forces. His survived an Exocet missile attack.
Specializing in Air Warfare he became Squadron Operations Officer to Captain 3rd Destroyer Squadron in HMS Newcastle
HMS Newcastle (D87)
The eighth HMS Newcastle was a Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy, launched in 1975.In November 1997, Newcastle made her way to the Caribbean to assume duties as West Indies Guard Ship "WIGS"...
and HMS York
HMS York (D98)
HMS York is a Batch III Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy. Launched on 20 June 1982 at Wallsend, Tyne and Wear and sponsored by Lady Gosling, HMS York was the last Type 42 built. The ship's crest is the White Rose of York, and the "red cross with lions passant" funnel badge is derived from the...
. This included the task of Group Operations Officer for the evacuation of Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
in 1984. He subsequently moved to the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training
Flag Officer Sea Training
Flag Officer Sea Training is a Royal Navy training organisation responsible for ensuring that Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are fit to join the operational fleet. FOST certifies crews and vessels as being sufficiently prepared for any eventuality through rigorous exercises and...
where he reinvigorated above water warfare training following his Falkland experiences.
Promoted to Commander
Commander (Royal Navy)
Commander is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It is immediately junior to captain and immediately senior to the rank of lieutenant commander...
in 1989, he assumed command of the destroyer HMS Gloucester
HMS Gloucester (D96)
HMS Gloucester was a Batch 3 Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy. The ship was built by Vosper Thorneycroft at Woolston, Southampton and launched on 2 November 1982 by The Duchess of Gloucester. HMS Gloucester was one of the modified last four of the class to be built, having a lengthened hull...
in 1990. During this appointment, the ‘Fighting G’ fought in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm when the Lynx Helicopter operating from his ship destroyed 7 enemy warships (including 3 'TNC-45s, a T43 Minelayer, and a Polnocny Landing Ship Tank) with Sea Skua missiles. This was in the early phase of naval combat operations, with the Lynx (callsign '410' and one of four Fleet Air Arm Lynxes operating in the rotary wing 'SUCAP' role - others flying from HMSs Cardiff, London and Brazen) generally operating over 120 miles from the Gloucester, and being bought to bear on its targets either through its own sensors, or through targeting information provided by the US. During a later phase the Gloucester itself shot down a Silkworm missile which had been fired from the Al Fintas area of the Kuwait coast and which had been targeted against the battleship USS Missouri
USS Missouri (BB-63)
|USS Missouri is a United States Navy Iowa-class battleship, and was the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state of Missouri...
. Although the Silkworm had missed its intended target, it still posed a threat to ships further downrange. He was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
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...
for gallantry and sustained leadership under fire.
After a tour on the Naval Operations staff in the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
(MOD), he went on promotion to the Directorate of Operational Requirements (Sea Systems) where he was responsible for future ships and their combat systems. In 1998, he assumed command of HMS Liverpool
HMS Liverpool (D92)
HMS Liverpool is a Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead and launched on 25 September 1980 by Lady Strathcona, wife of Euan Howard, the then Minister of State for Defence. Liverpool is the last Batch 2 Type 42 in service.-Operational history:Liverpool was...
as Captain 3rd Destroyer Squadron where he had operational command of 6 Type 42 destroyers.
He rejoined the MOD as the Director of Naval Operations in 1999. This tour included strategic crisis direction for East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
, Gulf and Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
operations while in 2000, he was the Crisis Director for the UK Operation Palliser
Operation Palliser
Operation Palliser was a British Armed forces operation in Sierra Leone in 2000 under the command of Brigadier David Richards.Initially, its scope was limited to evacuation of non-combatants only....
in support of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
.
In July 2001, he assumed command of the training establishment HMS Collingwood
HMS Collingwood (establishment)
For ships of the same name see HMS Collingwood.HMS Collingwood is a stone frigate of the Royal Navy. It is the lead establishment of the Maritime Warfare School and the largest naval training organisation in Western Europe...
and formed the new Maritime Warfare School. He took up the post of Deputy Chief of Joint Operations at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters
Permanent Joint Headquarters
The Permanent Joint Headquarters is the British tri-service headquarters from where all overseas military operations are planned and controlled. It is situated at Northwood Headquarters in Northwood, London....
on promotion to Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
in early 2004; as well as operations in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, he was the Crisis Director for the UK military response to the 2005 Tsunami disaster.
Following a short 7 month tour as Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland
Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland
The Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland is a senior post in the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. It is based at HM Naval Base Clyde and the holder of the post is the Royal Navy’s senior officer in Scotland with representational duties everywhere north of the M4. The...
and Flag Officer Reserves, he became Chief of Staff (Capability) to 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...
in January 2007 assuming responsibility for generating the Fleet (ships, submarines, aircraft and marines) today, tomorrow and the future across all Defence Lines of Development. As Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Surface Ships he was also the “tribal chief” of the Surface Flotilla.
Post Naval
Wilcocks retired from the Royal Navy in 2009. He then became Owner/Director at CEMPA (Leadership).He is a Churchwarden at Dore Abbey and Vice Chair of Governors at Aylestone Business and Enterprise College in Hereford.
Education
- 1963-66 Oakham School
- 1966-71 Wallington County Grammar School for Boys
- 1976 Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of ScienceA Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Maritime Studies from University of WalesUniversity of WalesThe University of Wales was a confederal university founded in 1893. It had accredited institutions throughout Wales, and formerly accredited courses in Britain and abroad, with over 100,000 students, but in October 2011, after a number of scandals, it withdrew all accreditation, and it was...
(qualified as a naval architect) - 1989 Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Advanced Staff Course
Other activities
- President of Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe 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...
and Royal MarinesRoyal MarinesThe Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
Shooting and the Royal Navy Field Gun CompetitionField gun competitionThe Royal Navy's field gun competition is a contest between teams from various Royal Navy commands, in which teams of sailors compete to transport a field gun and its equipment over and through a series of obstacles in the shortest time. The competition evolved during the first 6 years of the 20th... - President HMS HOOD Association
Awards
- Distinguished Service CrossDistinguished 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...
for gallantry and sustained leadership under fire - 2007 Companion of the Order of the BathOrder of the BathThe 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...