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| {{Short description|British admiral, d. 2013}} | {{Short description|British admiral, d. 2013}} | ||
| {{Use British English|date=August 2013}} | {{Use British English|date=August 2013}} | ||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=August |
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} | ||
| {{Infobox military person | {{Infobox military person | ||
| | name = Sir John Forster Woodward | | name = Sir John Forster Woodward | ||
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| ==Naval career== | ==Naval career== | ||
| On graduation from the Royal Naval College Dartmouth Woodward joined the ] in 1946.<ref name=debrett>Debrett's People of Today 1994</ref> He became a ]r in 1954, and was promoted to lieutenant that May.<ref name=debrett/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=40568|page=4819|date=23 August 1955}}</ref> In 1960 he passed the Royal Navy's rigorous ] known as ''The Perisher'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_18/perisher.htm |title=Perisher Submarine Command Training in the Royal Navy |work=JOC David Nagle, USN |publisher= |
On graduation from the Royal Naval College Dartmouth Woodward joined the ] in 1946.<ref name=debrett>Debrett's People of Today 1994</ref> He became a ]r in 1954, and was promoted to lieutenant that May.<ref name=debrett/><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=40568|page=4819|date=23 August 1955}}</ref> In 1960 he passed the Royal Navy's rigorous ] known as ''The Perisher'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_18/perisher.htm |title=Perisher Submarine Command Training in the Royal Navy |work=JOC David Nagle, USN |publisher=United States Navy |access-date=5 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018024859/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_18/perisher.htm |archive-date=18 October 2013 }}</ref> and received his first command, the ] submarine ].<ref name=debrett/> Promoted to lieutenant-commander in May 1962,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=42704|page=4778|date=15 June 1962}}</ref> he then commanded ]<ref name=debrett/> before becoming the second in command of the nuclear fleet submarine ].<ref name=debrett/> In 1967, he was promoted to ] and became the Instructor (known as ''Teacher'') of The Perisher Course. He took command of ] in December 1969.<ref name=debrett/> He was promoted to the rank of ] in 1972.<ref name=debrett/> In 1974, he became Captain of Submarine Training and in 1976 he took command of ].<ref name=debrett/> | ||
| He became Head of Naval Plans in the ] in 1978.<ref name=debrett/> In July 1981, he was promoted to ] and appointed as ].<ref name=debrett/> | He became Head of Naval Plans in the ] in 1978.<ref name=debrett/> In July 1981, he was promoted to ] and appointed as ].<ref name=debrett/> | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
| He worked out the timetable for the campaign, starting from the end and working to the start. Knowing that the Argentine forces had to be defeated before the (Southern Hemisphere) winter made conditions too bad, he set a latest date by which the land forces had to be ashore, that in turn set a latest date by which control of the air had to be achieved, and so on.<ref>Woodward, Sandy; One Hundred Days</ref> | He worked out the timetable for the campaign, starting from the end and working to the start. Knowing that the Argentine forces had to be defeated before the (Southern Hemisphere) winter made conditions too bad, he set a latest date by which the land forces had to be ashore, that in turn set a latest date by which control of the air had to be achieved, and so on.<ref>Woodward, Sandy; One Hundred Days</ref> | ||
| Possibly the best known single incident was the sinking of the ]. He knew that ''General Belgrano'', and particularly her ] armed escorts, were a threat to the task force and he ordered that she be sunk.<ref>{{cite news| author = Ted Jeory | title = 'The Navy's fighting admiral' Falkland Islands commander, Sandy Woodward dies aged 81| quote = |
Possibly the best known single incident was the sinking of the ]. He knew that ''General Belgrano'', and particularly her ] armed escorts, were a threat to the task force and he ordered that she be sunk.<ref>{{cite news| author = Ted Jeory | title = 'The Navy's fighting admiral' Falkland Islands commander, Sandy Woodward dies aged 81| quote = "It's very simple. There was the Belgrano and two destroyers armed with Exocet missiles milling around in the southern ocean." "I know from experience that while they were within 200 miles of our ships, they could have us overnight. So I wanted them removed, didn’t I?” | newspaper = Daily Express | date = 5 August 2013 | url = http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/419814/The-Navy-s-fighting-admiral-Falkland-Islands-commander-Sandy-Woodward-dies-aged-81 | access-date = 5 August 2013 }}</ref> Admiral Sir ] credited "Woodward's inspirational leadership and tactical acumen ... a major factor in shaping the success of the British forces in the South Atlantic".<ref>{{cite news |title=Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23575534 | publisher=BBC News | date=5 August 2013}}</ref> | ||
| Woodward was knighted for his services in the conflict.<ref name="LG 8 October 1982"/> He wrote a book entitled ''One Hundred Days'', co-authored by ], describing his Falklands experiences. | Woodward was knighted for his services in the conflict.<ref name="LG 8 October 1982"/> He wrote a book entitled ''One Hundred Days'', co-authored by ], describing his Falklands experiences. | ||
| ===Later career=== | ===Later career=== | ||
| In 1983, Woodward was appointed ] and ] Commander Submarines Eastern Atlantic.<ref name=debrett/> In 1984, he was promoted to ], and in 1985 he was ].<ref name=debrett/> Before retirement in 1989 he also served, from 1987, as ]<ref name=debrett/> and Flag ] to the ]. | In 1983, Woodward was appointed ] and ] Commander Submarines Eastern Atlantic.<ref name=debrett/> In 1984, he was promoted to ], and in 1985 he was ].<ref name=debrett/> Before retirement in 1989 he also served, from 1987, as ]<ref name=debrett/> and Flag ] to the ]. | ||
| ==Later life== | ==Later life== | ||
Revision as of 07:38, 12 August 2022
British admiral, d. 2013
| Sir John Forster Woodward | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Woodward in 2012 | |
| Nickname(s) | Sandy Spock |
| Born | (1932-05-01)1 May 1932 Penzance, Cornwall |
| Died | 4 August 2013(2013-08-04) (aged 81) Bosham, West Sussex |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1946–1989 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | HMS Tireless HMS Grampus HMS Warspite HMS Sheffield Flag Officer First Flotilla Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command |
| Battles / wars | Falklands War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir John Forster "Sandy" Woodward, GBE, KCB (1 May 1932 – 4 August 2013) was a senior Royal Navy officer who commanded the Task Force of the Falklands War.
Early life
Woodward was born on 1 May 1932 at Penzance, Cornwall, to a bank clerk. He was educated at Stubbington House School, preparatory school in Stubbington, Hampshire. He then continued his education at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon.
Naval career
On graduation from the Royal Naval College Dartmouth Woodward joined the Royal Navy in 1946. He became a submariner in 1954, and was promoted to lieutenant that May. In 1960 he passed the Royal Navy's rigorous Submarine Command Course known as The Perisher, and received his first command, the T-class submarine HMS Tireless. Promoted to lieutenant-commander in May 1962, he then commanded HMS Grampus before becoming the second in command of the nuclear fleet submarine HMS Valiant. In 1967, he was promoted to commander and became the Instructor (known as Teacher) of The Perisher Course. He took command of HMS Warspite in December 1969. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1972. In 1974, he became Captain of Submarine Training and in 1976 he took command of HMS Sheffield.
He became Head of Naval Plans in the Ministry of Defence in 1978. In July 1981, he was promoted to rear admiral and appointed as Flag Officer First Flotilla.
Falklands War
In 1982, he commanded the Hermes aircraft carrier group, Task Group 317.8, in the Falklands War. The Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse, served as the Task Force commander, CTF-317. The task group containing the amphibious ships which launched the invasion TG 317.0 was commanded by Commodore Michael Clapp, with Task Group 317.1 being the landing force itself.
He worked out the timetable for the campaign, starting from the end and working to the start. Knowing that the Argentine forces had to be defeated before the (Southern Hemisphere) winter made conditions too bad, he set a latest date by which the land forces had to be ashore, that in turn set a latest date by which control of the air had to be achieved, and so on.
Possibly the best known single incident was the sinking of the ARA General Belgrano. He knew that General Belgrano, and particularly her Exocet armed escorts, were a threat to the task force and he ordered that she be sunk. Admiral Sir George Zambellas credited "Woodward's inspirational leadership and tactical acumen ... a major factor in shaping the success of the British forces in the South Atlantic".
Woodward was knighted for his services in the conflict. He wrote a book entitled One Hundred Days, co-authored by Patrick Robinson, describing his Falklands experiences.
Later career
In 1983, Woodward was appointed Flag Officer Submarines and NATO Commander Submarines Eastern Atlantic. In 1984, he was promoted to vice admiral, and in 1985 he was Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Commitments). Before retirement in 1989 he also served, from 1987, as Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and Flag Aide-de-Camp to the Queen.
Later life
The first edition of Woodward's memoirs was published in 1992. They were well received and were updated in 2003 and 2012 with updated recollections as well as responses to the memoirs and responses made by Commodore Michael Clapp. In his later life Woodward wrote various opinion pieces for British newspapers regarding defence matters, particularly the Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Death
He died of heart failure in his 82nd year on 4 August 2013 at Bosham, West Sussex. A memorial service was held for him at Chichester Cathedral on 14 November 2013, with Admiral Sir George Zambellas representing the Queen.
Personal life
Woodward married Charlotte McMurtrie in 1960, the marriage producing a son and a daughter.
Honours and decorations
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On 11 October 1982, Woodward was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) 'in recognition of service within the operations in the South Atlantic'. In the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE).
| Ribbon | Details | Year awarded |
|---|---|---|
|
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire | 1989 |
|
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath | 1982 |
|
South Atlantic Medal (with rosette) | 1982 |
|
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal | 1977 |
Publications
- Woodward, Sandy; Robinson, Patrick (1992). One Hundred Days: Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-215723-3.
- Woodward, Sandy; Robinson, Patrick (2003). One Hundred Days: Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander (2nd Edition, Fully revised and updated). HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-713467-3.
- Woodward, Sandy; Robinson, Patrick (2012). One Hundred Days: Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group Commander (3rd Edition). HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-743640-8.
Footnotes
- ^ "Admiral Sir John ('Sandy') Woodward". The Telegraph. London. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
- ^ Debrett's People of Today 1994
- "No. 40568". The London Gazette. 23 August 1955. p. 4819.
- "Perisher Submarine Command Training in the Royal Navy". JOC David Nagle, USN. United States Navy. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
- "No. 42704". The London Gazette. 15 June 1962. p. 4778.
- Woodward, Sandy; One Hundred Days
- Ted Jeory (5 August 2013). "'The Navy's fighting admiral' Falkland Islands commander, Sandy Woodward dies aged 81". Daily Express. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
"It's very simple. There was the Belgrano and two destroyers armed with Exocet missiles milling around in the southern ocean." "I know from experience that while they were within 200 miles of our ships, they could have us overnight. So I wanted them removed, didn't I?"
- "Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81". BBC News. 5 August 2013.
- ^ "No. 49134". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 October 1982. p. 12856.
- Woodward, Sandy; One Hundred Days, 2nd edition; Introduction
- "Britain can do 'nothing' to prevent Argentina retaking Falkland Islands". The Telegraph.
- Goldstein, Richard (7 August 2013). "John Woodward, Leader of British Navy in Falkland Islands War, Dies at 81". The New York Times.
- "BBC News – Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81". BBC. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
- "Admiral Sandy Woodward". The Guardian. 5 August 2013.
- "Falkland Islands Association represented at Sandy Woodwar's Memorial Service". Falkland Island Association.
- "No. 51772". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 June 1989. p. 4.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded bySir Peter Herbert | Flag Officer Submarines 1983–1984 |
Succeeded byRichard Heaslip |
| Preceded byNew Post | Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Commitments) 1985–1987 |
Succeeded bySir Antony Walker |
| Preceded bySir Peter Stanford | Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command 1987–1989 |
Succeeded bySir Jeremy Black |
- 1932 births
- 2013 deaths
- Royal Navy admirals
- Royal Navy submarine commanders
- Military personnel from Cornwall
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Royal Navy personnel of the Falklands War
- Segrave Trophy recipients
- People educated at Stubbington House School
- Graduates of Britannia Royal Naval College
- People from Penzance
- People from Bosham