Robert Woodard
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral
Sir Robert Woodard, KCVO
, DL
(born 13 January 1939) is a former Commander of the Royal Yacht Britannia
.
, the school founded by his great-grandfather, Rev Nathaniel Woodard
, Woodard joined the Royal Navy
and specialised in aviation. He commanded 771 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron and then took charge of the frigate
HMS Amazon
. Promoted to Captain
he was given command of the naval air station HMS Osprey in 1985 and then became Commodore on the River Clyde
in 1988 before being appointed Flag Officer, Royal Yachts with specific responsibility for the Royal Yacht Britannia
in 1990. He retired in 1995.
He has served as equerry
to the Queen and as Deputy Lieutenant
of Cornwall
. The Sir Robert Woodard Academy
, which has been named in his honour, was opened on the site of the previous school, Boundstone Community College
, in September 2009.
Rear Admiral (Royal Navy)
Rear Admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy. It is immediately superior to Commodore and is subordinate to Vice Admiral. It is a two-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-7....
Sir Robert Woodard, KCVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, DL
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(born 13 January 1939) is a former Commander of the Royal Yacht Britannia
HMY Britannia
Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is the former Royal Yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. She was the 83rd such vessel since the restoration of King Charles II in 1660. She is the second Royal yacht to bear the name, the first being the famous racing cutter built for The Prince of Wales...
.
Naval career
Educated at Lancing CollegeLancing College
Lancing College is a co-educational English independent school in the British public school tradition, founded in 1848 by Nathaniel Woodard. Woodard's aim was to provide education "based on sound principle and sound knowledge, firmly grounded in the Christian faith." Lancing was the first of a...
, the school founded by his great-grandfather, Rev Nathaniel Woodard
Nathaniel Woodard
Nathaniel Woodard was a priest in the Church of England. He founded 11 schools for the middle classes in England whose aim was to provide education based on sound principle and sound knowledge, firmly grounded in the Christian faith...
, Woodard joined the 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...
and specialised in aviation. He commanded 771 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron and then took charge of the frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
HMS Amazon
HMS Amazon (F169)
HMS Amazon was the first Type 21 frigate of the Royal Navy. Her keel was laid down at the Vosper Thornycroft shipyard in Southampton, England...
. Promoted to Captain
Captain (Royal Navy)
Captain is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy. It ranks above Commander and below Commodore and has a NATO ranking code of OF-5. The rank is equivalent to a Colonel in the British Army or Royal Marines and to a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. The rank of Group Captain is based on the...
he was given command of the naval air station HMS Osprey in 1985 and then became Commodore on the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
in 1988 before being appointed Flag Officer, Royal Yachts with specific responsibility for the Royal Yacht Britannia
HMY Britannia
Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is the former Royal Yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. She was the 83rd such vessel since the restoration of King Charles II in 1660. She is the second Royal yacht to bear the name, the first being the famous racing cutter built for The Prince of Wales...
in 1990. He retired in 1995.
He has served as equerry
Equerry
An equerry , and related to the French word "écuyer" ) is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually upon a Sovereign, a member of a Royal Family, or a national...
to the Queen and as Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
of Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
. The Sir Robert Woodard Academy
The Sir Robert Woodard Academy
The Sir Robert Woodard Academy is a mixed gender academy, sponsored by Woodard Schools and West Sussex County Council, in Lancing, West Sussex which opened in September 2009. The academy, which serves the communities of Lancing and Sompting, replaced Boundstone Community College, which closed in...
, which has been named in his honour, was opened on the site of the previous school, Boundstone Community College
Boundstone Community College
Boundstone Community College was a co-educational comprehensive school for pupils aged 11 to 18, with around 1000 students, including over 100 in the Sixth Form, which served the communities of Lancing and Sompting...
, in September 2009.