British Western Fleet
Encyclopedia
The British Western Fleet was a fleet level command
in the Royal Navy
.
The Western Fleet was formed in 1967 from the historic Home Fleet, as a result of the disbandment of the Mediterranean Fleet. This created a fleet with greater responsibilities than either of its two predecessors, as it was responsible for the United Kingdom home waters, the North and South Atlantic, and the Mediterranean. The fleet was responsible for all Royal Navy operations “West of Suez”. One of the fleet commander's subordinates was Flag Officer Flotillas, Western Fleet, which Vice Admiral Andrew Lewis
filled in 1968-69.
The headquarters of the Western Fleet was at the Northwood Headquarters
in Middlesex
. The post of Commander in Chief Western Fleet (abbreviated CINC WF) came with the additional NATO responsibility as Commander in Chief Allied Channel Command. The first Allied Commander-in-Chief Channel was Admiral Sir Arthur Power
who was also Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth
, appointed in February 1952. In 1966 it was agreed that the same commander, the Royal Navy's Commander-in-Chief, Western Fleet, should direct the NATO Channel and Eastern Atlantic Commands. As a consequence these functions were combined at his Headquarters in Northwood.
The fleet's existence was quite short in comparison to other fleets of the Royal Navy, and was amalgamated at the end of 1971 with the Far East Fleet
to form a single fleet command within the Royal Navy, commonly known as Fleet Command or FLEET
.
The fleet's last commander, Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore
, became the first Commander-in-Chief Fleet
of the new combined Fleet Command.
Command (military formation)
A command in military terminology is an organisational unit that the individual in Military command has responsibility for. A Commander will normally be specifically appointed into the role in order to provide a legal framework for the authority bestowed...
in the 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...
.
The Western Fleet was formed in 1967 from the historic Home Fleet, as a result of the disbandment of the Mediterranean Fleet. This created a fleet with greater responsibilities than either of its two predecessors, as it was responsible for the United Kingdom home waters, the North and South Atlantic, and the Mediterranean. The fleet was responsible for all Royal Navy operations “West of Suez”. One of the fleet commander's subordinates was Flag Officer Flotillas, Western Fleet, which Vice Admiral Andrew Lewis
Andrew 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....
filled in 1968-69.
The headquarters of the Western Fleet was at the Northwood Headquarters
Northwood Headquarters
Northwood Headquarters is a military headquarters facility of the British Armed Forces in Eastbury, Hertfordshire, England, adjacent to the London suburb of Northwood...
in Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
. The post of Commander in Chief Western Fleet (abbreviated CINC WF) came with the additional NATO responsibility as Commander in Chief Allied Channel Command. The first Allied Commander-in-Chief Channel was Admiral Sir Arthur Power
Arthur Power
Admiral 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...
who was also 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:...
, appointed in February 1952. In 1966 it was agreed that the same commander, the Royal Navy's Commander-in-Chief, Western Fleet, should direct the NATO Channel and Eastern Atlantic Commands. As a consequence these functions were combined at his Headquarters in Northwood.
The fleet's existence was quite short in comparison to other fleets of the Royal Navy, and was amalgamated at the end of 1971 with the Far East Fleet
British Eastern Fleet
The British Eastern Fleet was a fleet of the Royal Navy which existed from 1941 to 1971...
to form a single fleet command within the Royal Navy, commonly known as Fleet Command or 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...
.
Commanders in Chief
Commanders-in-Chief included:- Admiral Sir John Bush 1967-1970
- Admiral Sir William O’BrienWilliam O'Brien (Royal Navy officer)Admiral Sir William Donough O'Brien KCB DSC was Commander-in-Chief of the Western Fleet.-Naval career:Educated at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth, O'Brien was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1930. He served in World War II. In the early 1960s he served as Director of Naval Plans at the...
1970-1971 - Admiral Sir Edward AshmoreEdward AshmoreAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Beckwith Ashmore GCB, DSC is a former senior Royal Navy officer. He served as the Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom and thus the professional head of the British Armed Forces....
1971-1971
The fleet's last commander, Admiral Sir Edward Ashmore
Edward Ashmore
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Beckwith Ashmore GCB, DSC is a former senior Royal Navy officer. He served as the Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom and thus the professional head of the British Armed Forces....
, became the first 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...
of the new combined Fleet Command.