David Willoughby Leach
Born(1928-07-17)17 July 1928
Subiaco, Western Australia
Died19 January 2020(2020-01-19) (aged 91)
AllegianceAustralia
Service/branchRoyal Australian Navy
Years of service1942–1985
RankVice Admiral
Commands heldChief of Naval Staff (1982–85)
HM Australian Fleet (1979–80)
HMAS Perth (1968–69)
HMAS Vendetta (1964–66)
Battles/warsSecond World War
Vietnam War
AwardsCompanion of the Order of Australia
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order
Meritorious Service Medal (Singapore)
Spouse(s)Pamela Leach
Children2

Vice Admiral David Willoughby Leach, AC, CBE, LVO (17 July 1928 –19 January 2020) was a senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 1982 to 1985.

Early life

Leach was born in Subiaco, Western Australia, on 17 July 1928 to John Digby Leach, a First World War veteran and later Commissioner of Main Roads in Western Australia,[1][2][3] and his wife Grace Lilian. Initially educated at Perth Modern School,[1] Leach entered the Royal Australian Naval College in January 1942 aged thirteen.[4]

Naval career

Leach commanded the guided missile destroyers HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Perth during the Vietnam War[5] for which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969.[6] In 1970 he managed naval liaison for the Royal Visit to Australia for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.[7]

He was appointed Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet in 1979 and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1982.[5] He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1984,[8] and retired in 1985.[5]

After retiring from the Navy, Leach joined the Council of the Australian War Memorial and became a member of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. He was also elected as an alderman in the Municipality of Woollahra, and served as mayor during 1995.[9][10] Leach died in Sydney on 19 January 2020.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Vice Admiral David Willoughby Leach". Who's Who in Australia Online. ConnectWeb. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Leach, John Digby" (PDF). First World War Nominal Roll. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  3. ^ "Leach, John Digby appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire". It's an Honour. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Leach, David Willoughby". World War II Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  5. ^ a b c Hobart Association
  6. ^ It's an honour – The Order of the British Empire – Commander (Military)
  7. ^ It's an honour – The Royal Victorian Order – Lieutenant
  8. ^ It's an honour – Companion of the Order of Australia
  9. ^ a b "Vice Admiral David Willoughby Leach". Our people. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Chairmen and Mayors of Woollahra". Woollahra Municipal Council. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
Military offices Preceded byRear Admiral James Willis Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet 1979–1980 Succeeded byRear Admiral Peter Doyle Preceded byRear Admiral Alan Willis Chief of Naval Personnel 1980–1982 Succeeded byRear Admiral David Martin Preceded byVice Admiral Sir James Willis Chief of the Naval Staff 1982–1985 Succeeded byAdmiral Michael Hudson Civic offices Preceded byAndrew Briger Mayor of Woollahra 1994–1995 Succeeded byNeville Gruzman
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