Allegiance Australia Role Admiral Years of service 1942–1985 | Rank Vice Admiral Name David Leach | |
Born 17 July 1928 (age 95)
Subiaco, Western Australia ( 1928-07-17 ) Commands held Chief of Naval Staff (1982–85)
HM Australian Fleet (1979–80)
HMAS Perth (1968–69)
HMAS Vendetta (1964–66) Battles/wars Second World War
Vietnam War Awards Order of Australia, Order of the British Empire, Royal Victorian Order | ||
Battles and wars World War II, Vietnam War Service/branch Royal Australian Navy | ||
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Vice Admiral David Willoughby Leach AC, CBE, LVO (born 17 July 1928) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Navy, who served as Chief of the Naval Staff from 1982 to 1985.
Contents
- say hello to heaven david leach
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- Early life
- Naval career
- References
Simon leach pottery david leach at anderson ranch june 1988 pt 1
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, and his wife Grace Lilian. Initially educated at Perth Modern School, Leach entered the Royal Australian Naval College in January 1942 aged thirteen.
Naval career
Leach commanded the guided missile destroyers HMAS Vendetta and HMAS Perth during the Vietnam War for which he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1969. In 1970 he managed naval liaison for the Royal Visit to Australia for which he was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.
He was appointed Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet in 1979 and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1982. He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 1984, and retired in 1985.