Admiral of the FleetTerence Thornton Lewin, Baron Lewin, KG,GCB,LVO,DSC (19 November 1920 – 23 January 1999) was a Royal Navy officer. He served in the Second World War and then commanded a destroyer, the Royal yacht, two frigates and an aircraft carrier before achieving higher command. He was First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in the late 1970s and in that role he worked hard to secure a decent wage for servicemen and helped win them a 32% pay rise. He went on to be Chief of the Defence Staff during the Falklands War, serving as chief war planner and as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's chief advisor during the war. He was also the first Chief of Defence Staff to act as head of the Armed Forces rather than just Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Born the son of Eric Lewin and Maggie Lewin (née Falconer)[1] and educated at The Judd School in Tonbridge, where he was head prefect in 1938, Lewin joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1939.[2] He was initially posted to the training ship HMS Vindictive but when the Second World War broke out in September 1939 he transferred to the cruiser HMS Belfast and then two months later to the battleshipHMS Valiant.[3]
The destroyer HMS Ashanti in which Lewin he took part in the Arctic Convoys during the Second World War
Lewin attended the gunnery school at HMS Excellent in Spring 1945 and then joined the staff there in May 1945.[3] He was posted to the cruiser HMS Bellona as gunnery officer in April 1946 and, after attending the advanced gunnery course at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, in 1947, he returned to the staff at HMS Excellent in December.[3] Promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 July 1949,[9] he became gunnery officer of the First Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet.[10] He rejoined the staff of HMS Excellent in January 1952 and, having been promoted to commander on 31 December 1952,[11] he joined the staff of the Second Sea Lord at the Admiralty in December 1953.[10]
Supplies being delivered to the destroyer HMS Bristol by helicopter during a stopover at Ascension Island on the ship's voyage to take part in the Falklands War
Lewin was appointed First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff on 1 March 1977.[22] In that role he worked hard to secure a decent wage for servicemen and helped win them a 32% pay rise.[8] Promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 6 July 1979,[23] he went on to be Chief of the Defence Staff in September 1979 and served as a member of the War Cabinet during the Falklands War giving Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher his resolute support when losses began to be suffered.[24]
Lewin was the first Chief of Defence Staff to act as Head of the Armed Forces rather than just Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.[25] He was created a life peer, as Baron Lewin, of Greenwich in Greater London in October 1982[26] on his retirement.[25]
Out of a Naval Crown Azure, a Lion rampant in trian aspect Or, on its head a Baron's Coronet and Cap of Estate proper, brandishing in the dexter paw a Sword proper, Hilt, Knuckle Guard and Pommel in the form of an eagle's head Gold.
Escutcheon
Quarterly Gules and Azure, three Boars' Heads, two and one, couped Or, tusked Argent, on a Chief barry wavy of four Bleu Celeste and Argent, a Naval Gun circa 1800 proper, mounted on its Carriage Gold.
Supporters
Dexter: an Able Seaman of Her Majesty's Ship Victory, wearing the South Atlantic Medal proper.
Sinister: a Royal Marine, wearing the South Atlantic Medal proper. The whole upon a Compartment comprising a Grassy Mount with Outcrops of Rock proper, and having on each side a Sea Inlet barry wavy Argent and Azure.
Motto
FLEXIBLE BUT FIRM OF PURPOSE
Other elements
Order of the Garter circlet bearing the inscription HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
Symbolism
The three boar's heads are taken from the arms of Sir Andrew Judde, Lord Mayor of London in 1550/1, as a tribute to the Judd School in Tonbridge where Lord Lewin was educated. The red and blue background echoes the arms of an earlier Lewin family. The naval cannon is an appropriate emblem for a naval officer who has seen active service, and it is set against a pattern of blue and white waves for the sea.[28]
References
^Richard Hill (September 2004). "Lewin, Terence Thornton, Baron Lewin (1920–1999)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/71891. Retrieved 30 August 2012. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)(subscription required)
^"No. 36676". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 August 1944. p. 4010.
^"No. 36794". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 November 1944. p. 5224.
^"No. 35805". The London Gazette (Supplement). 27 November 1942. p. 5226.
^ abc"Obituary: Admiral of the Fleet Lord Lewin". The Independent. 25 January 1999. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
^"No. 38681". The London Gazette. 2 August 1949. p. 3760.
^Chessyre, Hubert (1994–1995). "The Heraldry of the Garter Banners" (PDF). Report of the Society of the Friends of St George's and the Descendants of the Knights of the Garter. VII (6): 254. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
Sources
Heathcote, Tony (2002). The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734 – 1995. Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN0-85052-835-6.
terence, lewin, admiral, fleet, terence, thornton, lewin, baron, lewin, november, 1920, january, 1999, royal, navy, officer, served, second, world, then, commanded, destroyer, royal, yacht, frigates, aircraft, carrier, before, achieving, higher, command, first. Admiral of the Fleet Terence Thornton Lewin Baron Lewin KG GCB LVO DSC 19 November 1920 23 January 1999 was a Royal Navy officer He served in the Second World War and then commanded a destroyer the Royal yacht two frigates and an aircraft carrier before achieving higher command He was First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in the late 1970s and in that role he worked hard to secure a decent wage for servicemen and helped win them a 32 pay rise He went on to be Chief of the Defence Staff during the Falklands War serving as chief war planner and as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher s chief advisor during the war He was also the first Chief of Defence Staff to act as head of the Armed Forces rather than just Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee The Lord LewinAdmiral Sir Terence LewinBorn 1920 11 19 19 November 1920Dover Kent EnglandDied23 January 1999 1999 01 23 aged 78 Ufford Suffolk EnglandAllegianceUnited KingdomService wbr branchRoyal NavyYears of service1939 1982RankAdmiral of the FleetCommands heldChief of the Defence StaffFirst Sea LordNaval Home CommandCommander in Chief FleetHMS HermesHMS TenbyHMS UrchinHM Yacht BritanniaHMS CorunnaBattles warsSecond World WarFalklands WarAwardsKnight of the Order of the GarterKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the BathLieutenant of the Royal Victorian OrderDistinguished Service CrossMentioned in Despatches 3 Contents 1 Naval career 2 Later life 3 Family 4 Arms 5 References 6 Sources 7 Further readingNaval career EditBorn the son of Eric Lewin and Maggie Lewin nee Falconer 1 and educated at The Judd School in Tonbridge where he was head prefect in 1938 Lewin joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1939 2 He was initially posted to the training ship HMS Vindictive but when the Second World War broke out in September 1939 he transferred to the cruiser HMS Belfast and then two months later to the battleship HMS Valiant 3 The destroyer HMS Ashanti in which Lewin he took part in the Arctic Convoys during the Second World War In the Valiant he took part in the Norwegian Campaign in April and May 1940 and then in the attack on the French Fleet at Mers el Kebir in July 1940 3 He transferred to the destroyer HMS Highlander in October 1941 and then to the destroyer HMS Ashanti in January 1942 3 During a long period of service in the Ashanti he took part in the Arctic Convoys and having been promoted to lieutenant on 1 July 1942 he took part in Operation Pedestal to relieve Malta in August 1942 and then the allied landings in North Africa in November 1942 before returning to the Arctic Convoys again and finally taking part in the allied landings in Normandy in June 1944 3 He served with distinction being mentioned in despatches three times 4 5 6 and being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942 for saving the lives of many fellow servicemen when the destroyer HMS Somali was hit by a torpedo 7 8 Lewin attended the gunnery school at HMS Excellent in Spring 1945 and then joined the staff there in May 1945 3 He was posted to the cruiser HMS Bellona as gunnery officer in April 1946 and after attending the advanced gunnery course at the Royal Naval College Greenwich in 1947 he returned to the staff at HMS Excellent in December 3 Promoted to lieutenant commander on 1 July 1949 9 he became gunnery officer of the First Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet 10 He rejoined the staff of HMS Excellent in January 1952 and having been promoted to commander on 31 December 1952 11 he joined the staff of the Second Sea Lord at the Admiralty in December 1953 10 Lewin was given command of the destroyer HMS Corunna in October 1955 3 and then of HM Yacht Britannia in April 1957 3 before being promoted to captain on 30 June 1958 12 He went back to the Admiralty as Assistant Director of the Tactical Ship Requirements and Staff Duties Division in November 1958 and then having been appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1959 New Year Honours 13 he became Assistant Director of the Tactical and Weapons Policy Division in 1960 10 After attending the Imperial Defence College in 1961 10 he was appointed Captain F of the 17th Frigate Squadron in December 1961 sailing successively in the frigates HMS Urchin and then HMS Tenby 10 He went back to the Admiralty again as Director of Tactical and Weapons Policy in December 1963 and took command of the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes in May 1966 10 He was appointed Naval Aide de Camp to the Queen on 7 July 1967 14 and promoted to rear admiral on 7 January 1968 15 on appointment as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff Policy before becoming Flag Officer Second in Command Far East Fleet in August 1969 10 Promoted to vice admiral on 7 October 1970 16 he became Vice Chief of the Naval Staff in January 1971 17 He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1973 New Year Honours 18 As VCNS two of his most important projects were the approval of the Sea Harrier and the beginning of group deployments as the UK s far flung naval forces had mostly disappeared 19 He was promoted to full admiral on 1 December 1973 20 on appointment as Commander in Chief Fleet and NATO Commander in Chief Channel and Commander in Chief Eastern Atlantic and became Commander in Chief Naval Home Command in November 1975 17 before being advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1976 Birthday Honours 21 Supplies being delivered to the destroyer HMS Bristol by helicopter during a stopover at Ascension Island on the ship s voyage to take part in the Falklands War Lewin was appointed First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff on 1 March 1977 22 In that role he worked hard to secure a decent wage for servicemen and helped win them a 32 pay rise 8 Promoted to Admiral of the Fleet on 6 July 1979 23 he went on to be Chief of the Defence Staff in September 1979 and served as a member of the War Cabinet during the Falklands War giving Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher his resolute support when losses began to be suffered 24 Lewin was the first Chief of Defence Staff to act as Head of the Armed Forces rather than just Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee 25 He was created a life peer as Baron Lewin of Greenwich in Greater London in October 1982 26 on his retirement 25 Later life EditIn retirement Lewin became Chairman of the Trustees of the National Maritime Museum President of the Society for Nautical Research a Liveryman of the Skinners Company and of the Shipwrights Company and an elder brother of Trinity House 27 His interests included military history he was an expert on the life of Captain Cook 8 He was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Garter in April 1983 25 He died at his home at Ufford in Suffolk on 23 January 1999 25 Family EditIn 1944 Lewin married Jane Branch Evans they had two sons and a daughter 3 Arms EditCoat of arms of Terence Lewin Coronet Coronet of a Baron Crest Out of a Naval Crown Azure a Lion rampant in trian aspect Or on its head a Baron s Coronet and Cap of Estate proper brandishing in the dexter paw a Sword proper Hilt Knuckle Guard and Pommel in the form of an eagle s head Gold Escutcheon Quarterly Gules and Azure three Boars Heads two and one couped Or tusked Argent on a Chief barry wavy of four Bleu Celeste and Argent a Naval Gun circa 1800 proper mounted on its Carriage Gold Supporters Dexter an Able Seaman of Her Majesty s Ship Victory wearing the South Atlantic Medal proper Sinister a Royal Marine wearing the South Atlantic Medal proper The whole upon a Compartment comprising a Grassy Mount with Outcrops of Rock proper and having on each side a Sea Inlet barry wavy Argent and Azure Motto FLEXIBLE BUT FIRM OF PURPOSE Other elements Order of the Garter circlet bearing the inscription HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE Symbolism The three boar s heads are taken from the arms of Sir Andrew Judde Lord Mayor of London in 1550 1 as a tribute to the Judd School in Tonbridge where Lord Lewin was educated The red and blue background echoes the arms of an earlier Lewin family The naval cannon is an appropriate emblem for a naval officer who has seen active service and it is set against a pattern of blue and white waves for the sea 28 References Edit Richard Hill September 2004 Lewin Terence Thornton Baron Lewin 1920 1999 Oxford Dictionary of National Biography online ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 ref odnb 71891 Retrieved 30 August 2012 Subscription or UK public library membership required subscription required Heathcote p 155 a b c d e f g h i Heathcote p 156 No 35679 The London Gazette 21 August 1942 p 3719 No 36676 The London Gazette Supplement 25 August 1944 p 4010 No 36794 The London Gazette Supplement 10 November 1944 p 5224 No 35805 The London Gazette Supplement 27 November 1942 p 5226 a b c Obituary Admiral of the Fleet Lord Lewin The Independent 25 January 1999 Archived from the original on 11 August 2022 Retrieved 30 August 2012 No 38681 The London Gazette 2 August 1949 p 3760 a b c d e f g Heathcote p 157 No 39749 The London Gazette 9 January 1953 p 220 No 41450 The London Gazette 18 July 1958 p 4514 No 41589 The London Gazette Supplement 30 December 1958 p 5 No 44365 The London Gazette Supplement 14 July 1967 p 7881 No 44405 The London Gazette Supplement 8 September 1967 p 9891 No 45214 The London Gazette Supplement 16 October 1970 p 11458 a b Heathcote p 158 No 45860 The London Gazette Supplement 29 December 1972 p 2 Hill Lewin of Greenwich 2012 Roberts Safeguarding the Nation 2009 No 46138 The London Gazette Supplement 26 November 1973 p 14081 No 46919 The London Gazette Supplement 4 June 1976 p 8016 No 47173 The London Gazette Supplement 14 March 1977 p 3571 No 47904 The London Gazette Supplement 16 July 1979 p 8998 Heathcote p 159 Stephen Prince British command and control in the Falklands Campaign Defense amp Security Analysis 18 4 2002 333 349 a b c d Heathcote p 159 No 49176 The London Gazette 24 November 1982 p 15347 People of Today 1994 Debrett ISBN 1 870520 19 X Chessyre Hubert 1994 1995 The Heraldry of the Garter Banners PDF Report of the Society of the Friends of St George s and the Descendants of the Knights of the Garter VII 6 254 Retrieved 19 January 2022 Sources EditHeathcote Tony 2002 The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734 1995 Pen amp Sword Ltd ISBN 0 85052 835 6 Rear Admiral Richard Hill 2000 Lewin of Greenwich Weidenfeld Military ISBN 978 0 304 35329 3 Prince Stephen British command and control in the Falklands Campaign Defense amp Security Analysis 18 4 2002 333 349 Further reading EditFinlan Alastair The Royal Navy in the Falklands Conflict and the Gulf War Culture and Strategy Psychology Press 2004 Military officesPreceded bySir Edward Ashmore Vice Chief of the Naval Staff1971 1973 Succeeded bySir John TreacherCommander in Chief Fleet1973 1975Preceded bySir Derek Empson Commander in Chief Naval Home Command1975 1976 Succeeded bySir David WilliamsPreceded bySir Edward Ashmore First Sea Lord1977 1979 Succeeded bySir Henry LeachPreceded bySir Neil Cameron Chief of the Defence Staff1979 1982 Succeeded bySir Edwin Bramall Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Terence Lewin amp oldid 1131684323, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
