Rear Admiral John B Hervey CB

John Hervey was a distinguished submariner who was, among other things, “Teacher”, training for example another distinguished submariner, Lord Boyce.

I knew him best in a different context. Like AEOL I am a former Cavalier.  John Hervey commanded Cavalier sometime later, and was the moving spirit in bringing the ship to Chatham after a long and successful campaign involving many appearances in the House of Commons Select Committee.  She is now the centrepiece of the Chatham Historic Dockyard, is still afloat and has the National Destroyer Memorial on the dockside beside her.  John became the First President of The Cavalier Association and was a very much loved figure there, whose gentle, modest, entirely unselfish and and friendly nature helped to create a very vibrant Association which still flourishes. I relieved him as President in 2010 but he retained a close, lively and very well informed interest in both Cavalier and the RN at large right up to the end. I last spoke to him the day before he died and although he was clearly struggling his brain was as bright as a button.  He will be very greatly missed by all who knew one of nature’s greatest gentleman and a fine officer,