Robert Woodard (Royal Navy officer)

Sir Robert Nathaniel Woodard
Born (1939-01-13) 13 January 1939 (age 85)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch Royal Navy
RankRear-Admiral
Commands771 Naval Air Squadron
848 Naval Air Squadron
HMS Amazon
HMS Osprey
HMY Britannia
AwardsKnight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Nathaniel Woodard, KCVO, DL (/ˈwʊdɑːrd/ WUUD-ard; born 13 January 1939) is a former Commander of the Royal Yacht Britannia.

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Educated at Lancing College, the school founded by his great-grandfather, Rev Nathaniel Woodard, Woodard joined the Royal Navy and specialised in aviation.[1] He commanded 771 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron and then took charge of the frigate HMS Amazon.[1] Promoted to captain he was given command of HMS Glasgow. Appointment as Flag Officer Sea Training and command of the naval air station HMS Osprey followed in 1985 and then became Commodore on the River Clyde in 1988 before being appointed Flag Officer, Royal Yachts with specific responsibility for the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1990.[1][2] He retired in 1995.[3]

He served as equerry to Queen Elizabeth II and as Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall. The Sir Robert Woodard Academy, which has been named in his honour, was opened on the site of the previous school, Boundstone Community College, in September 2009.[4]

Family

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In 1963 he married Rosamund Lucia Gibbs; they have two sons and one daughter.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Debrett's People of Today 1994
  2. ^ The Royal Yacht Britannia
  3. ^ Whitacker's Almanack 1996
  4. ^ The Sir Robert Woodard Academy Woodard Schools
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