Admiral Sir Desmond Cassidi GCB

Entered BRNC as a 13 year old Cadet in 1938, Admiral Cassidi served on Russian Convoys during the Second World War. He subsequently commanded 820 NAS (1954), HM Ships WHITBY (1960), UNDAUNTED and 2nd Frigate Squadron (1967). ARK ROYAL (1972). At Flag level he was FO Carriers and Amphibious Ships (1974), FO Naval Air Command (1978), Second Sea Lord (1979), CinC Naval Home Command (1982), retiring in 1985.I spent a couple of days at sea in ARK ROYAL under his command as a Midshipman for my FAA acquaint during an exercise in the South Western Approaches in 1972 but I first met Admiral Cassidi properly in 1974 when we de-commissioned HMS WHITBY and, as a former CO, he flew his flag during our last entry under Paying Off Pennant to Portsmouth. Following that, I served at sea with him when he was FOCAS and flying his flag in HMS INTREPID (Captain Nick Hunt) in which I was a bridge watchkeeper. I recall him as someone who didn’t suffer fools gladly! – but also as one of that great generation of Second World War veterans that led the navy I was privileged to join in the early 1970s.