Sir Ralph Leatham | |
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Leatham on his appointment as Vice Admiral Malta
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Born |
Hemsworth, West Yorkshire |
3 March 1888
Died | 10 March 1954 | (aged 66)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1900–1946 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands held |
HMS Yarmouth HMS Durban HMS Ramillies HMS Valiant Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station Commander-in-Chief, Levant Plymouth Command |
Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Ralph Leatham KCB (3 March 1888 – 10 March 1954) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth during World War II.
Leatham joined the Royal Navy in 1900 as a cadet on the training ship Britannia. He served on various ships during World War I. After the War he went on to command HMS Yarmouth, HMS Durban, HMS Ramillies and HMS Valiant. He was appointed Commander of the 1st Battle Squadron in 1938.
He served in World War II as Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station from April 1939 and as Flag Officer in Command, Malta from 1941 taking part in actions against the Italian Navy. He became Deputy Governor of Malta in 1943 and was briefly temporary Commander-in-Chief, Levant before becoming Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth later in 1943. He retired in 1946.
In retirement he became Governor of Bermuda.
In 1910 he married Enid Birks; they had one son and one daughter.