Sir William Davis | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1901-10-11)11 October 1901 |
| Died | 29 October 1987(1987-10-29) (aged 86) Gloucester,Gloucestershire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1915–1960 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands | Home Fleet (1958–60) HMS Mauritius (1943–44) |
| Conflicts | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order &Bar Mentioned in Despatches (4) |
AdmiralSir William Wellclose Davis,GCB, DSO &Bar (11 October 1901 – 29 October 1987) was a BritishRoyal Navy officer who served asVice Chief of the Naval Staff from 1954 to 1957.
Davis was the elder son of Walter Stewart Davis (1856–1946), of the Indian Political Department, and Georgina (died 1925), daughter of David Ross. The Davis family were landed gentry, of Well Close,Brockworth,Gloucestershire; Davis's middle name came from the family estate.[1][2] Davis was educated atSummer Fields School inOxford, theRoyal Naval College, Osborne, and theRoyal Naval College, Dartmouth.[3]
Davis joined theRoyal Navy in 1915, during theFirst World War.[4]
He also saw active service in theSecond World War, initially asexecutive officer on thebattlecruiserHMS Hood. From 1940 he was Deputy Director of Plans at theAdmiralty and then, from 1943, returned to sea as commander of thecruiserHMS Mauritius, in which he was involved in theSicily landings, theNormandy landings, and theaction at Audierne Bay.[4] From November 1944 to February 1946 he was appointedDirector of Torpedoes and Mining.[5]
After the war Davis was madeDirector of Underwater Weapons at the Admiralty and then, from 1948, chief of staff to theCommander-in-Chief, Home Fleet.[4] He becameNaval Secretary in 1950 and Flag Officer, Second in Command of theMediterranean Fleet in 1952.[4] He went on to beVice Chief of the Naval Staff in 1954 and Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet and Commander-in-Chief, Eastern Atlantic Area in 1958.[4] He wasFirst and Principal Naval Aide-de-camp tothe Queen from 1959 to 1960.[4] He retired in 1960.[4]
Davis married Lady Gertrude Elizabeth Phipps, daughter ofConstantine Phipps, 3rd Marquess of Normanby, on 28 April 1934; they went on to have two sons and two daughters.[1] His first cousin was the actorStringer Davis, husband ofMargaret Rutherford.[1][2]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Naval Secretary 1950–1952 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Vice Chief of the Naval Staff 1954–1957 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander in Chief, Home Fleet 1958–1960 | Succeeded by |
| Honorary titles | ||
| Preceded by | First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp 1959–1960 | Succeeded by |