Admiral Sir Robin Leonard Francis Durnford-Slater KCB (born Leonard Francis Slater; 9 July 1902 – 28 June 1984) was a Royal Navy officer who went on to be the last Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.
Early life
Born as Leonard Francis Slater in 1902 in the Punjab area of India the son of Leonard Slater, a captain in the British Army, and his wife Constance Durnford Slater. His younger brother John became notable as the first British Commando during World War II.[3]
He was educated at Summer Fields School.[4]
Naval career
Durnford-Slater joined the Royal Navy in 1923.[5]
He served in World War II, initially as Executive Officer on the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes which was sunk in 1942.[6] He then joined the torpedo school HMS Vernon.[7] He next became Senior Officer for the 42nd and the 7th Escort Group of Western Approaches Command.[7] Later he became Training Captain on the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches Command and finally Director of Underwater Weapons at the Admiralty.[7]
After the War he became Senior Officer for 1st Escort Flotilla in the Far East Fleet.[7] He went on to be Commandant at the School of Amphibious Warfare and then Captain of the cruiser HMS Gambia.[7] In 1953 he was made Deputy Controller of the Navy.[7] As Flag Officer, Air and Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Fleet he commanded the naval forces, Task Force 345 north of the canal and Task Force 324 south of it from HMS Tyne[8] during the Suez Crisis, Musketeer, in 1956.[9] From 1958, he was the last Commander-in-Chief, The Nore.[7] He retired in 1961.[7]
United Kingdom
Royal Navy