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David Hallifax

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Sir David Hallifax
Born(1927-09-03)3 September 1927
Died23 August 1992(1992-08-23) (aged 64)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1945–1988
RankAdmiral
CommandsRoyal College of Defence Studies
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
Flag Officer First Flotilla
HMS Fife
HMS Agincourt
MTB5008
Battles / warsSuez Crisis
Falklands War
AwardsKnight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Other workConstable and Governor of Windsor Castle

Admiral Sir David John Hallifax, KCB, KCVO, KBE (3 September 1927 – 23 August 1992) was a senior Royal Navy officer who served as Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle from 1988 until 1992.

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Hallifax was educated at Winchester College, joined Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth as a cadet in 1945[1] and spent his early years in minesweepers based in the eastern Mediterranean. His first command was as a young lieutenant in the fast patrol boat MTB5008.

In 1954 Hallifax qualified as a Torpedo and Anti-Submarine Officer serving in HMS Salerno during the Suez Crisis in 1956 and later in HMS Whirlwind in the West Indies.[2] He also commanded the destroyer HMS Agincourt[1] at home and in East Asia before taking command of HMS Fife in 1973.[1] Following an appointment to the Ministry of Defence as Director of Naval Operational Requirements, he became Flag Officer First Flotilla, a position once held by his father. It was from here that he went to the Northwood Headquarters as Chief of Staff to Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse, Commander-in-Chief Fleet in 1980.[1] As Chief of Staff he was responsible for the day-to-day control of the Headquarters during the Falklands War. His next appointment was to the United States of America as the NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in 1982.[1] His final appointment was Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1986.[1]

Hallifax retired from the navy on 1 March 1988.[3] He was a keen yachtsman, competing in the 1971 Admirals Cup aboard the 'Prospect of Whitby'. He was a skilled woodworker, with a particular interest in fine reproduction furniture.[1]

In February 1988 Hallifax was made Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle.[4] He died of motor neurone disease in 1992.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Obituary: Admiral Sir David Hallifax The Independent, 27 August 1992
  2. ^ Royal Navy website
  3. ^ "No. 51270". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 March 1988. p. 3111.
  4. ^ "No. 51243". The London Gazette. 16 February 1988. p. 1815.
Military offices
Preceded by Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
1982–1984
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies
1986–1987
Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle
1988–1992
Succeeded by