David Leach (admiral)

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.

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

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]

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. "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. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  5. 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. "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 by
Rear Admiral James Willis
Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet
1979–1980
Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Peter Doyle
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Alan Willis
Chief of Naval Personnel
1980–1982
Succeeded by
Rear Admiral David Martin
Preceded by
Vice Admiral Sir James Willis
Chief of the Naval Staff
1982–1985
Succeeded by
Admiral Michael Hudson


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