| The Lord West of Spithead | |
|---|---|
| 21 April 1948 – | |
 Lord West of Spithead Picture: Crown copyright | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1965–2006 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Chief of the Naval Staff HMS Ardent |
| Battles/wars | Falklands War Iraq War |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Cross |
Admiral Alan William John West, Baron West of Spithead GCB, DSC (born 21 April 1948) is a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the British Home Office, with responsibility for Security, a Security Advisor to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) Please see “ Admiral ” for other nations which use this rank Chief of the Naval Staff may refer to Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy First Sea Lord, the commonly used title for the Royal Navy's Official Argentine version According to this Argentine Air Force official web site Ardent received these attacks 1400 by A-4B Skyhawks of 5th Air The Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas/Guerra del Atlántico Sur also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The Distinguished Service Cross ( DSC) is the third level Military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993 ratings of the Royal Navy and formerly Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks of the highest Naval officers The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The Distinguished Service Cross ( DSC) is the third level Military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993 ratings of the Royal Navy and formerly Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, in the United Kingdom government structure is a minister who is junior to a Minister of State who is in turn The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for security and order The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is [1]
Prior to his junior ministerial appointment, he was First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy, from 2002 to 2006. The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) He is well remembered as the commanding officer of HMS Ardent, which was sunk on 21 May 1982 during the Falklands War. Official Argentine version According to this Argentine Air Force official web site Ardent received these attacks 1400 by A-4B Skyhawks of 5th Air Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas/Guerra del Atlántico Sur also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the West was the last to leave the sinking ship and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for his leadership. He is the current Chancellor of Southampton Solent University. Southampton Solent University is a University of 17000 students based in Southampton, United Kingdom. On 29 June 2007 he was appointed to his current position at the Home Office in the Government of Gordon Brown, and that same day Brown announced that West was to be created a life peer. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for security and order WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is In the United Kingdom, life peers are created members of the Peerage whose titles may not be inherited (those whose titles are inheritable are known as Hereditary On 9 July 2007 he was created Baron West of Spithead, of Seaview in the County of Isle of Wight, and took his seat in the House of Lords. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Seaview is a small village located on the North East corner of the Isle of Wight, overlooking the Solent. The Isle of Wight is an English Island and county in the English Channel between three and five miles (8 km from the south coast of the The House of Lords is the second house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords"
Contents |
Early career in the Royal Navy
Alan William John West was born on 21 April 1948 [2], and was educated at Windsor Grammar School and Clydebank High School He joined Britannia Royal Naval College in 1965 and since served on 14 different ships, commanding three of them. Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. In 1980 he was promoted to Commander and took command of the frigate HMS Ardent, which was sunk on 21 May 1982 during the Falklands War. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Commander is a Military rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service For the bird see Frigatebird. A frigate /ˈfrɪgɪt/ is a warship Official Argentine version According to this Argentine Air Force official web site Ardent received these attacks 1400 by A-4B Skyhawks of 5th Air Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) The Falklands War (Guerra de las Malvinas/Guerra del Atlántico Sur also called the Falklands Conflict/Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the West was the last to leave the sinking ship and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership. [3] He is the President of the HMS Ardent Association. [4]
In 1986, classified documents about naval cuts West had taken home with him were dropped while he was walking a dog; they were found by a freelance journalist, leading to a Mail on Sunday article outlining the Navy's concern about the possible cuts. The Mail on Sunday is a British newspaper currently published in a tabloid format According to Private Eye magazine West, who had the rank of Captain at the time, was charged by the Navy with "wrongfully removing secret document, not taking proper care of them and failing to inform the ministry immediately of their disappearance. Private Eye is a fortnightly British satirical Magazine, edited by Ian Hislop. " [5] West received a "severe reprimand," according to the magazine, but this was deleted from his record after five years.
West was made Rear Admiral in February 1994. Rear admiral is a Naval Commissioned officer rank above that of a Commodore and Captain, and below that of a Vice Admiral. In February 1996 he became Commander United Kingdom Task Group. Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces is a senior post in the Royal Navy Commander UK Maritime Forces or COMUKMARFOR is the highest sea-going command in the Royal Navy In October 1997 he was promoted to Vice Admiral and Chief of Defence Intelligence. Vice Admiral is a naval rank equivalent to Lieutenant General in seniority The Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS is an element of the United Kingdom 's Ministry of Defence, responsible for collection and assessment of all-source intelligence West was created a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 2000. The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George He became a full Admiral in November 2000 when he took up the post of Commander-in-Chief Fleet, NATO Commander-in-Chief East Atlantic and NATO Commander Allied Naval Forces North. Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks of the highest Naval officers Commander-in-Chief Fleet ( CINCFLEET) is the Admiral responsible for the operation resourcing and training of the ships submarines and aircraft and personnel of The North Atlantic Treaty
First Sea Lord
West was appointed as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in September 2002. The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and the whole Naval Service. Chief of the Naval Staff may refer to Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy First Sea Lord, the commonly used title for the Royal Navy's Admiral West was also a member of the Defence Council and Admiralty Board as well as First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen. For the Admiralty Board of Imperial Russia see Admiralty Board (Russia. Below is an incomplete list of First and Principal Naval Aides-de-Camp, an office established by William IV of the United Kingdom in 1830 First and Principal Majesty is an English word derived ultimately from the Latin Maiestas, meaning Greatness. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II
In 2004 he appeared on BBC Radio 4 and spoke about Trafalgar 200. Trafalgar 200 was a series of events in 2005 held mostly in the United Kingdom to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, where a [6] Trafalgar 200 was a celebration for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The Battle of Trafalgar ( 21 October 1805) was a historic sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the It saw an International Fleet in the Solent led by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and by the First Sea Lord. The Solent is a stretch of Sea separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II West led the demand by the Royal Navy for a major ceremony. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) He is credited with persuading the government for making the event include a large scale fleet review. [7] In 2005 he served as the chief mourner at a renactment of Horatio Nelson's funeral. Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson 1st Viscount Nelson 1st Duke of Bronté, KB (29 September 1758– 21 October 1805 was a British [8]
In the 2004 New Year Honours list he was promoted to a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB). The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George [9]
He completed his term as First Sea Lord on 6 February 2006 and is succeeded by Admiral Sir Jonathon Band. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB, ADC (born 1950 since 2006 is the First Sea Lord of the United Kingdom the most senior serving officer
Post-naval career
West was installed as the first Chancellor for Southampton Solent University, formerly Southampton Institute on Wednesday, 28 June 2006. Southampton Solent University is a University of 17000 students based in Southampton, United Kingdom. Events 1098 - Fighters of the First Crusade defeat Kerbogha of Mosul. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. [10] In 2006 West was appointed to the board of the Imperial War Museum. The Imperial War Museum is a Museum in London, England featuring military vehicles weapons war memorabilia an extensive library open to the public [11] In October 2006 West was appointed to chair the advisory board of defence contractor QinetiQ. QinetiQ ( (pronounced, as in Kinetic energy) is a British defence technology company, formed from the greater part of the former government agency [12]
Political life
In 2007 West was appointed security minister in Gordon Brown's government. WikipediaManual of Style (biographies#Academic titles --> James Gordon Brown (born 20 February 1951 is In November of that year he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that he was not "totally convinced" of the need for 42-day detention (without trial) of terrorist suspects. Today, sometimes referred to as the Today programme to avoid ambiguity is BBC Radio 4 's long-running early morning news and current affairs But less than two hours later, following a meeting with the Prime Minister, he said he was "convinced" of the need for the new legislation. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. He later claimed: "Being a simple sailor not a politician maybe I didn't choose my words well. . . Maybe my choice of words wasn't very clever". The incident was an embarrassment for the government, particularly as West was the minister charged with navigating the controversial legislation through the House of Lords. A minister or a secretary is a Politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional Government. Legislation (or " Statutory law " is law which has been promulgated (or " Enacted quot by a Legislature or other Governing The House of Lords is the second house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and is also commonly referred to as "the Lords" [13]
Styles & Honours
- Mr Alan West (1948-1980)
- Commander Alan West (1980-1982)
- Commander Alan West DSC (1982-1986)
- Captain Alan West DSC (1986-1994)
- Rear Admiral Alan West DSC (1994-1997)
- Vice Admiral Alan West DSC (1997-2000)
- Vice Admiral Sir Alan West KCB DSC (2000-2000)
- Admiral Sir Alan West KCB DSC (2000-2004)
- Admiral Sir Alan West GCB DSC (2004-2007)
- The Rt. Hon. The Lord West of Spithead GCB DSC (2007-)
References
- ^ Parliamentary Under Secretary for Security. 10 Downing St website.
- ^ http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/peersw2.htm
- ^ First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West On Nelson And Trafalgar 2005 - 24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage
- ^ HMS Ardent Association Online
- ^ Private Eye No. 1188, 6 July - 19 July 2007, p. 9, "Tales of the Riverbank"
- ^ BBC Radio 4 - Midweek
- ^ First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West On Nelson And Trafalgar 2005 - 24 Hour Museum - official guide to UK museums, galleries, exhibitions and heritage
- ^ FIRST SEA LORD IS CHIEF MOURNER AT NELSON'S FUNERAL RENACTMENT ON FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER : Website Press Media News Events and Design : SeaBritain
- ^ New Year Honours List 2004
- ^ Sir Alan West
- ^ Sir Alan appointed to the Imperial War Museum
- ^ Private Eye No. 1188, 6 July - 19 July 2007, p. 9, "Tales of the Riverbank"
- ^ BBC NEWS | Politics | Pienaar's view: Terror issue not plain sailing
External links
- Biography page at HMS Ardent Association
- Biography at the site of the UK Home Office
- "Brown brings in more 'outsiders'". BBC News, London. 29 June 2007.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir John Foley | Chief of Defence Intelligence 1997–2000 | Succeeded by Sir Joe French |
| Preceded by Sir Nigel Essenhigh | Commander-in-Chief Fleet 2000–2002 | Succeeded by Sir Jonathon Band |
| Preceded by Sir Nigel Essenhigh | First Sea Lord 2002–2006 | Succeeded by Sir Jonathon Band |
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