Second Sea Lord
Encyclopedia
The Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command (2SL/CNH), commonly just known as the Second Sea Lord (2SL), is one of the most senior admiral
s of the British
Royal Navy
(after the First Sea Lord
and the Commander-in-Chief Fleet
), and is responsible for personnel and naval shore establishments.
The post of Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command
was created on 1 July 1969 as a result of the merger of the posts of Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
and Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
.
The posts of Second Sea Lord and the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command
(CINCNAVHOME) were amalgamated in 1994 following the rationalisation of the British Armed Forces
following the end of the Cold War
.
2SL/CNH is based in Portsmouth
in a combined headquarters with the Commander-in-Chief Fleet
on Whale Island
. He flies his flag in HMS Victory
, the world's oldest commissioned warship, which is preserved in dry dock in Portsmouth. The right to use HMS Victory as a flagship
comes from his position as CINCNAVHOME, who in turn acquired it from the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
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"...
s of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
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...
(after the 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 the 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...
), and is responsible for personnel and naval shore establishments.
History
In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were assigned to each of the 'Naval' Lords, who were described as 'Professional' Lords, leaving to the 'Civil' Lords the routine business of signing documents. The Second Naval Lord was the second most senior Naval Lord on the Board of Admiralty and as Chief of Naval Personnel was responsible for handling all personnel matters for the Royal Navy.The post of Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Portsmouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the post.-History:...
was created on 1 July 1969 as a result of the merger of the posts of Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Portsmouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the post.-History:...
and Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Plymouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the admiral's command. In the nineteenth century the holder of the office was known as Commander-in-Chief,...
.
The posts of Second Sea Lord and the Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command
Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth was a senior commander of the Royal Navy for hundreds of years. Portsmouth Command was a name given to the units, establishments, and staff operating under the post.-History:...
(CINCNAVHOME) were amalgamated in 1994 following the rationalisation of the British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
following the end of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
.
2SL/CNH is based in Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
in a combined headquarters with the 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...
on Whale Island
Whale Island, Hampshire
Whale Island is a small island in Portsmouth Harbour, close by Portsea Island. It is currently home to HMS Excellent, the oldest shore training establishment within the Royal Navy, and the Headquarters of Commander in Chief, Fleet.-Early history:...
. He flies his flag in HMS Victory
HMS Victory
HMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. She is most famous as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805....
, the world's oldest commissioned warship, which is preserved in dry dock in Portsmouth. The right to use HMS Victory as a flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
comes from his position as CINCNAVHOME, who in turn acquired it from the Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth.
Second Naval Lords, 1830–1904
Second Naval Lords incude:- Rear Admiral George DundasGeorge Heneage DundasRear Admiral George Heneage Lawrence Dundas CB was a senior naval officer and First Naval Lord.-Family:He was the fifth son of Thomas Dundas by his wife Charlotte, daughter of the third Earl Fitzwilliam.-HMS Queen Charlotte:In February 1800 George Heneage Dundas was aboard Lord Keith's flagship,...
, 1830–1834 - Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, 1834
- Vice-Admiral Sir John BeresfordSir John Beresford, 1st BaronetAdmiral Sir John Poo Beresford, 1st Baronet, GCH was an officer in the Royal Navy who rose to the rank of Second Sea Lord. He was a Tory politician in the United Kingdom.-Naval career:...
, 1835–1841 - Vice-Admiral Sir William Parker, 1835–1841
- Rear Admiral Sir Edward Troubridge, 1841
- Vice-Admiral Sir William GageWilliam Hall GageAdmiral of the Fleet Sir William Hall Gage GCB GCH was Second Sea Lord in the British Navy.-Naval career:Born the third son of General Thomas Gage, Gage joined the Royal Navy in 1789. In 1797 he was given command of the frigate HMS Terpsichore and sailed in the Mediterranean to conduct the Siege...
, 1841–1846 - Vice-Admiral Sir James DundasJames Whitley Deans DundasAdmiral Sir James Whitley Deans Dundas GCB was a Royal Navy officer and a First Sea Lord.-Naval career:...
, 1846–1847 - Vice-Admiral Sir Henry PrescottHenry PrescottAdmiral Sir Henry Prescott GCB colonial governor born in Kew, England and died in London, England.Prescott joined the Royal Navy in 1796 and served in the Mediterranean during the Napoleonic wars...
, 1847 - Vice-Admiral Sir Maurice BerkeleyMaurice Berkeley, 1st Baron FitzHardingeAdmiral Sir Maurice Frederick FitzHardinge Berkeley, 1st Baron FitzHardinge, GCB PC, DL was a British Royal Navy First Sea Lord and former First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria.-Royal Navy career:...
, 1847–1852 - Vice-Admiral Sir Houston StewartHouston StewartAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Houston Stewart GCB was a Royal Navy officer and briefly a Liberal Party Member of Parliament .-Naval career:...
, 1852 - Vice-Admiral Sir Phipps HornbyPhipps HornbyAdmiral Sir Phipps Hornby, GCB was a prominent and experienced British Royal Navy officer of the nineteenth century. Hornby served on frigates throughout most of his wartime experience, which included witnessing the Nore Mutiny first hand aged 12 in 1797...
, 1852–1853 - Vice-Admiral Sir Maurice BerkeleyMaurice Berkeley, 1st Baron FitzHardingeAdmiral Sir Maurice Frederick FitzHardinge Berkeley, 1st Baron FitzHardinge, GCB PC, DL was a British Royal Navy First Sea Lord and former First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria.-Royal Navy career:...
, 1853–1854 - Vice-Admiral Sir Richard DundasRichard Saunders DundasVice Admiral The Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, KCB was a British naval officer and was the British First Sea Lord from 1857 to 1858 and again from 1859 until his death in 1861.-Early life:...
, 1854–1855 - Vice-Admiral Henry EdenHenry EdenAdmiral Henry Eden was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Naval Lord.-Naval career:Eden joined the Royal Navy in 1811. He was given command of the sixth-rate HMS Conway in 1832, the second-rate HMS Impregnable in 1839 and the first-rate HMS Caledonia in 1840...
, 1855–1857 - Vice-Admiral Sir Richard DundasRichard Saunders DundasVice Admiral The Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, KCB was a British naval officer and was the British First Sea Lord from 1857 to 1858 and again from 1859 until his death in 1861.-Early life:...
, 1857 - Vice-Admiral Henry EdenHenry EdenAdmiral Henry Eden was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Naval Lord.-Naval career:Eden joined the Royal Navy in 1811. He was given command of the sixth-rate HMS Conway in 1832, the second-rate HMS Impregnable in 1839 and the first-rate HMS Caledonia in 1840...
, 1857–1858 - Vice-Admiral Sir Richard DundasRichard Saunders DundasVice Admiral The Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas, KCB was a British naval officer and was the British First Sea Lord from 1857 to 1858 and again from 1859 until his death in 1861.-Early life:...
, 1858–1859 - Rear Admiral Frederick PelhamFrederick Thomas PelhamRear Admiral Frederick Thomas Pelham CB was an Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Naval Lord.-Naval career:...
, 1859–1861 - Vice Admiral Sir Charles EdenCharles Eden (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir Charles Eden KCB was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Naval Lord.-Naval career:Born the fifth son of Sir Frederick Eden, Eden joined the Royal Navy in 1821. He was given command of the fourth-rate HMS Winchester in 1842 and the flagship HMS Victory in 1847...
, 1861–1866 - Vice-Admiral Sir Sydney DacresSydney DacresAdmiral Sir Sydney Colpoys Dacres GCB was an officer of the Royal Navy who saw service during the Crimean War. Born into a substantial naval dynasty during the Napoleonic Wars, he eventually rose to the rank of Admiral and became First Naval Lord.-Family and early life:Dacres was born in 1805,...
, 1866–1868 - Vacant, 1868–1872
- Vice Admiral Sir John TarletonJohn Tarleton (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir John Walter Tarleton KCB was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Naval Lord.-Naval career:...
, 1872–1874 - Vice-Admiral Sir Geoffrey Hornby, 1874–1877
- Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur HoodArthur Hood, 1st Baron Hood of AvalonAdmiral Arthur William Acland Hood, 1st Baron Hood of Avalon GCB , was an officer of the Royal Navy who held command during the Crimean War and later served as First Naval Lord.- Early life :...
1877–1879 - Admiral The Earl of ClanwilliamRichard Meade, 4th Earl of ClanwilliamAdmiral of the Fleet Richard James Meade, 4th Earl of Clanwilliam, GCB, KCMG , styled Lord Gillford until 1879, was a British Royal Navy officer and peer.-Background:...
, 1879–1880 - Admiral Lord John Hay, 1880–1883
- Admiral Lord AlcesterBeauchamp Seymour, 1st Baron AlcesterAdmiral Frederick Beauchamp Paget Seymour, 1st Baron Alcester, GCB was a British naval commander. He was Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet between 1874 and 1877 and of the Mediterranean Fleet between 1880 and 1883....
, 1883–1885 - Admiral Sir Anthony HoskinsAnthony HoskinsAdmiral Sir Anthony Hiley Hoskins GCB , was a British naval officer who was First Naval Lord from 1891 to 1893.-Naval career:Educated at Winchester College, Hoskins entered the Royal Navy in 1842...
, 1885–1888 - Vice-Admiral Sir Vesey HamiltonRichard Vesey HamiltonAdmiral Sir Richard Vesey Hamilton GCB was a senior naval officer and First Naval Lord. His father was rector of Little Chart in Kent.-Naval career:...
, 1888–1889 - Admiral Sir Henry Fairfax, 1889–1892
- Admiral Sir Frederick RichardsFrederick RichardsAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick William Richards GCB was the British First Naval Lord from 1893 to 1899.-Early life:...
, 1892–1893 - Admiral Lord Walter KerrLord Walter KerrAdmiral of the Fleet, Lord Walter Talbot Kerr, GCB, PC was the British First Naval Lord from 1899 to 1904.-Early Life and Indian Mutiny:...
, 1893–1895 - Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick BedfordFrederick BedfordAdmiral Sir Frederick George Denham Bedford GCB, GCVO was Governor of Western Austria from 24 March 1903 to 22 April 1909.-Naval career:Bedford joined the Royal Navy at the age of 14, and later served in the Crimean War....
, 1895–1899 - Admiral Lord Walter KerrLord Walter KerrAdmiral of the Fleet, Lord Walter Talbot Kerr, GCB, PC was the British First Naval Lord from 1899 to 1904.-Early Life and Indian Mutiny:...
, 1899 - Vice-Admiral Archibald DouglasArchibald Lucius DouglasAdmiral Sir Archibald Lucius Douglas, GCB, GCVO was a Royal Navy officer of the 19th century.-Naval career:Douglas was born in Quebec City in pre-Confederation Canada in 1842...
, 1899–1902 - Admiral Sir John Fisher, 1902–1903
Second Sea Lords, 1904–1995
Second Sea Lords include:- Vice-Admiral Sir Charles DruryCharles Carter DruryAdmiral Sir Charles Carter Drury, GCB, GCVO, KCSI was a Canadian Royal Navy Admiral who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1903–1907 - Admiral Sir William May, 1907–1909
- Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman, 1909–1911
- Vice-Admiral Sir George Egerton, 1911
- Vice-Admiral Prince Louis of Battenberg, 1911–1912
- Vice-Admiral Sir John JellicoeJohn Jellicoe, 1st Earl JellicoeAdmiral of the Fleet John Rushworth Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe, GCB, OM, GCVO was a British Royal Navy admiral who commanded the Grand Fleet at the Battle of Jutland in World War I...
, 1912–1914 - Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick HamiltonFrederick Hamilton (Royal Navy officer)|-...
, 1914–1916 - Vice-Admiral Sir Somerset Gough-Calthorpe, 1916
- Admiral Sir Cecil BurneyCecil BurneyAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Cecil Burney, 1st Baronet GCB GCMG was a British Royal Navy admiral.-Early life and service before flag rank:...
, 1916–1917 - Admiral Sir Rosslyn WemyssRosslyn Wemyss, 1st Baron Wester WemyssAdmiral of the Fleet Rosslyn Erskine Wemyss, 1st Baron Wester Wemyss GCB, CMG, MVO , known as Sir Rosslyn Wemyss between 1916 and 1919, was a British naval commander...
, 1917 - Vice-Admiral Sir Herbert HeathHerbert HeathAdmiral Sir Herbert Leopold Heath KCB MVO was Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel in the Royal Navy.-Military career:...
, 1917–1919 - Admiral Sir Montague BrowningMontague BrowningAdmiral Sir Montague Edward Browning GCB GCMG GCVO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Military career:...
, 1919–1920 - Admiral Sir Henry OliverHenry OliverAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Francis Oliver, GCB, KCMG, MVO was a British naval officer.-Naval career:...
, 1920–1924 - Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Culme-SeymourSir Michael Culme-Seymour, 4th BaronetVice-Admiral Sir Michael Culme-Seymour, 4th Baronet KCB, MVO was an officer of the Royal Navy. A member of a substantial naval dynasty, he served during the First World War, commanding a ship at the Battle of Jutland in 1916...
, 1924–1925 - Vice-Admiral Sir Hubert BrandHubert BrandAdmiral Sir Hubert George Brand GCB, KCMG, KCVO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Background:...
, 1925–1927 - Admiral Sir Michael HodgesMichael HodgesAdmiral Sir Michael Henry Hodges KCB CMG MVO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1927–1930 - Admiral Sir Cyril FullerCyril FullerAdmiral Sir Cyril Thomas Moulden Fuller KCB CMG DSO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:Fuller joined the Royal Navy in 1887...
, 1930–1932 - Admiral Sir Dudley PoundDudley PoundAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Alfred Dudley Pickman Rogers Pound GCB OM GCVO RN was a British naval officer who served as First Sea Lord, professional head of the Royal Navy from June 1939 to September 1943.- Early life :...
, 1932–1935 - Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith, 1935–1938
- Admiral Sir Charles LittleCharles LittleAdmiral Sir Charles James Colebrooke Little GCB GBE was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1938–1941 - Admiral Sir William WhitworthWilliam WhitworthAdmiral Sir William Jock Whitworth KCB DSO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1941–1944 - Admiral Sir Algernon WillisAlgernon WillisAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Algernon Usborne Willis KCB DSO was a British Royal Navy officer.-Naval career:Willis joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1904 and went on to serve in World War I and then actions against the Bolsheviks in the Baltic from 1918 to 1919.In the Second World War he was...
, 1944–1946 - Admiral Sir Arthur PowerArthur PowerAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur John Power GCB, GBE, CVO was an officer of the Royal Navy, who saw service in World War I and World War II.-Naval career:Power joined the Royal Navy in 1909 and served in World War I...
, 1946–1948 - Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt, 1948–1950
- Admiral Sir Alexander MaddenAlexander MaddenAdmiral Sir Alexander Cumming Gordon Madden KCB CBE was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1950–1953 - Admiral Sir Guy Russell, 1953–1955
- Admiral Sir Charles LambeCharles LambeAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Lambe GCB, CVO was a senior officer in the Royal Navy, serving as First Sea Lord from 1959 to 1960.-Naval career:...
, 1955–1957 - Vice-Admiral Deric Holland-MartinDeric Holland-MartinAdmiral Sir Douglas Eric "Deric" Holland-Martin GCB DSO DSC was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:Educated at West Downs School, Holland-Martin joined the Royal Navy in 1920...
, 1957–1959 - Admiral Sir St John TyrwhittSir St John Tyrwhitt, 2nd BaronetAdmiral Sir St John Reginald Joseph Tyrwhitt, 2nd Baronet KCB DSO DSC was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:Tyrwhitt joined the Royal Navy in 1919...
, 1959–1961 - Admiral Sir Royston WrightRoyston WrightAdmiral Sir Royston Hollis Wright GBE KCB DSO was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1961–1965 - Admiral Sir Desmond DreyerDesmond DreyerAdmiral Sir Desmond Parry Dreyer GCB CBE DSC DL was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1965–1967 - Admiral Sir Peter Hill-Norton, 1967
- Admiral Sir Frank TwissFrank TwissAdmiral Sir Frank Roddam Twiss, KCB, KCVO, DSC was a Royal Navy admiral who became Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel...
, 1967–1970 - Vice-Admiral Sir Andrew LewisAndrew Lewis (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir Andrew Mackenzie Lewis KCB JP was Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command.-Naval career:Lewis joined the Royal Navy and fought in World War II being mentioned in despatches for his service in HMS Ashanti....
, 1970–1971 - Admiral Sir Derek EmpsonDerek EmpsonAdmiral Sir Derek Empson GBE KCB was Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command.-Naval career:Educated at Eastbourne College, Empson joined the Royal Navy as a pilot 1940. He served in the Fleet Air Arm during World War II....
, 1971–1974 - Admiral Sir David WilliamsDavid Williams (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir David Williams GCB was a senior officer in the British Royal Navy.-Naval career:Williams was appointed Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel in 1974; he was then Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command from 1976 to 1979 when he retired.Between 1980 and 1982 he was Chairman of the...
, 1974–1977 - Admiral Sir Gordon TaitGordon Tait (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir Gordon Tait, KCB, DSC was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:Tait joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1939....
, 1977–1979 - Admiral Sir Desmond Cassidi, 1979–1982
- Admiral Sir Simon CasselsSimon CasselsAdmiral Sir Simon Alastair Cassillis Cassels KCB CBE is a senior Royal Navy officer who became Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:Cassels joined the Royal Navy in 1947...
, 1982–1986 - Admiral Sir Richard FitchRichard FitchAdmiral Sir Richard George Alison Fitch KCB is a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1986–1988 - Admiral Sir Brian BrownBrian Brown (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir Brian Thomas Brown KCB CBE is a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:Educated at Peter Symonds College, Brown joined the Royal Navy in 1952...
, 1988–1991 - Admiral Sir Michael LivesayMichael LivesayAdmiral Sir Michael Howard Livesay KCB was a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel.-Naval career:...
, 1991–1992 - Admiral Sir Michael LayardMichael LayardAdmiral Sir Michael Henry Gordon Layard KCB CBE is a senior Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord.-Naval career:...
, 1992–1995
Second Sea Lords and Commanders-in-Chief Naval Home Command since 1995
Second Sea Lords and Commanders-in-Chief include:- Admiral Sir Michael BoyceMichael Boyce, Baron BoyceAdmiral Michael Cecil Boyce, Baron Boyce, KG, GCB, OBE, DL , is a cross bench member of the British House of Lords. Lord Boyce is a former First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy and Chief of the Defence Staff. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa.-Naval career:Educated at Hurstpierpoint College, Boyce...
, 1995–1997 - Admiral Sir John BrigstockeJohn BrigstockeAdmiral Sir John Richard Brigstocke KCB is a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord.-Naval career:Educated at West Downs School, Marlborough College and the Britannia Royal Naval College, Brigstocke joined the Royal Navy in 1962....
, 1997–2000 - Vice-Admiral Sir Peter SpencerPeter Spencer (Royal Navy officer)Vice Admiral Sir Peter Spencer KCB is a Royal Navy officer who went on to be Second Sea Lord.-Naval career:Born in Brighton and educated at both Cambridge University and Southampton University, Spencer was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1965.In 1992 he was appointed Director of Operational...
, 2000–2003 - Admiral Sir James Burnell-NugentJames Burnell-NugentAdmiral Sir James Michael Burnell-Nugent KCB, CBE, ADC was the Commander-in-Chief Fleet of the Royal Navy.-Early life:He attended Stowe School in Buckinghamshire then went to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.-Naval career:...
, 2003–2005 - Vice-Admiral Sir Adrian JohnsAdrian JohnsVice Admiral Sir Adrian James Johns KCB, CBE, KStJ, ADC is the current Governor of Gibraltar and a former senior officer in the Royal Navy. His most senior naval posting was as Second Sea Lord from 2005 to 2008.-Career:...
, 2005—2008 - Vice-Admiral Sir Alan MasseyAlan MasseyVice Admiral Sir Alan Michael Massey, KCB, CBE is a former senior officer in the Royal Navy who served as the Second Sea Lord.-Naval career:...
, 2008—2010 - Vice-Admiral Charles MontgomeryCharles Montgomery (Royal Navy officer)Vice Admiral Charles Montgomery CBE is a Royal Navy officer who currently serves as Second Sea Lord.-Naval career:Educated at Uppingham School and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Montgomery joined the Royal Navy in 1973. After spending his first three years of service at Sheffield University he...
, 2010—