Michael Clapp

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Michael C. Clapp
Born (1932-02-22) 22 February 1932 (age 92)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branch
Indonesian Confrontation, Falklands War

ADC (born 22 February 1932) is a retired senior Royal Navy officer who commanded the United Kingdom's amphibious assault group, Task Group 317.0, in the Falklands War
.

Early life

Michael Cecil Clapp was born on 22 February 1932. His parents were

preparatory school in Salisbury, Wiltshire, then at Marlborough College a private school in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England.[1][2][3]

Naval career

Korean War 1950–1953 and after

He joined the

Bofors 40 mm gun batteries. When at anchor I enjoyed boat work and often took United States special forces ashore or to an island. On completion of the Midshipman’s final exam he was awarded a first class pass and promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenant. He then joined HMAS Bataan, a Royal Australian Navy Tribal-class destroyer and continued to patrol the West coast of North Korea. He returned home in August 1952 and went to the Junior Officers Staff Course at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich
for two terms. He then undertook the Sub-Lieutenants’ technical courses visiting their establishments with a small group of his term. His group was ‘L’ Group which was later known by some as ‘Ell Group as there were several well known characters who helped make life fun."

Cyprus 1954

From an interview with Michael Clapp: "On completion of the courses I was appointed to

Naval General Service Medal 1915 with Canal Zone clasp.[5][6]

HMS Comet 1945

Joins the Fleet Air Arm 1955

From an interview with Michael Clapp: "In 1955, he was pressed into the

Ferranti Ltd. to assist in test flying the weapon system for the Blackburn Buccaneer Mk 1 finally joining 700 Naval Air Squadron's Z Flight, the Intensive Flying Trials Unit. 700 Naval Air Squadron (700 NAS) is an experimental test squadron in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. In 1962, he was the Senior Observer of 801 Naval Air Squadron, then the first operational Mk 1 Blackburn Buccaneer squadron. They embarked first on Ark Royal and then on Victorious on which they sailed for the Far East and tropical trials returning home in January 1964.[7]

Skyraider AEW1 778 RNAS Culdrose
Buccaneer S.1 at the 1962 Farnborough Airshow; the anti-flash white colour scheme is for the nuclear strike role

Indonesian Confrontation 1963–65

He returned to the Far East to command HMS Puncheston, a

Mention in Dispatches oak leaf plus the Malay Peninsula and Borneo clasps for his General Service Medal (1962) "for distinguished services in the Far East Fleet Patrols and the Borneo Territories during the period 24 December 1964 to 23 June 1965.[8][9][10][11]

HMS Glasserton, a Ton-class minesweeper
A Kronshtadt-class submarine chaser

Later career

On 10 December 1965

RNAS Lossiemouth on 14 October 1965 with 12 Buccaneer S2 aircraft mainly supplied from 700 Naval Air Squadron's B Flight. 801 Squadron once again embarked in Victorious for testing and operations in the Mediterranean, returning home a year later. The squadron subsequently received the 1967 Boyd Trophy for its efforts in bringing the Buccaneer Mk. 2 into service. He served as her commanding officer until 14 June 1967.[12]

On 2 July 1968 Clapp was promoted from lieutenant commander to commander.[13] He was the executive officer of HMS Norfolk completing Exocet trials in 1974 at Toulon, France.[14] His next promotion was on 5 October 1974 from commander to captain.[15][5] After a brief stay at the Joint Warfare Establishment, he had two ship commands, HMS Jaguar and HMS Leander. He commanded Leander during GULFX-79 exercises in the Gulf of Mexico from 16 November to 4 December 1978.[16][17] He also completed two tours in the Naval Staff of the Ministry of Defence. Later he was the naval director of the Joint Maritime Operational Training Staff. In 1981 he was appointed Commodore Amphibious Warfare.[18]

Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer S2, UK - Navy AN1339875
Victorious in Grand Harbour, Malta, en route back to the UK following her 1966–67 Far East cruise.
HMS Norfolk (foreground), USS Claude V. Ricketts and HNLMS De Ruyter (rear)
HMS Jaguar of the Leopard class of frigates
HMS Leander docked at HMNB Devonport, in August 1977

Falklands War 1982

In 1982, he commanded the amphibious assault group, Task Group 317.0, in the

amphibious landings were known as Operation Sutton. The air war over the landings was known as the Battle of San Carlos (1982). An example of the difficulties of maintaining the supply lines was the Bluff Cove air attacks.[21]

Clapp was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath for his services in the conflict.[22]

HMS Fearless, San Carlos, 1982

His flagship during the Falklands War was HMS Fearless

HMS Fearless off North Carolina in 1996
Sounds on board HMS Fearless under attack in the Falklands War

Personal and later life

When he was younger Michael Clapp was a

boxer. In 1975 he married Sarah Jane Alexander. Together they have two daughters Lucy born 1977, Sophie born 1978 and one son James born 1980.[23]
After his retirement from the
Director of Kelly College from 13 November 1992 to 17 June 2002 and of its associated corporation from 7 July 1995 to 31 December 2010.[25] His hobbies have included sailing, shooting, fishing, and country life. He is a member of the Royal Cruising Club and when he finally retired he sailed his 28 ft yacht to the Caribbean and back.[26]

Publications

He wrote a book entitled Amphibious Assault Falklands: the Battle of San Carlos Water, with co-author Ewen Southby-Tailyour, describing the preparations for the amphibious landing, the landing itself and the following amphibious and related land operations of the Falklands War. The book was first published in 1997 with a second edition in 2007.

  • Clapp, Michael C.; Southby-Tailyour, Ewen (1997). Amphibious Assault Falklands: the Battle of San Carlos Water. Leo Cooper/Orion.
    ISBN 0-00-215723-3
    .

Honours and decorations

Just before his retirement Michael Clapp was made an

Aide de Camp to Queen Elizabeth II from the 18th of January 1983 [27] to the 5th of July 1983[28]
which entitles him to use the post-nominal letters "ADC". On 11 October 1982, Clapp was appointed a Companion of the
Mention in Dispatches for his General Service Medal (1962) "for distinguished services in the Far East Fleet Patrols and the Borneo Territories during the period 24 December 1964 to 23 June 1965.[9][29]

Ribbon Details Year awarded
Companion of the Order of the Bath 1982
Korea Medal 1953
United Nations Korea Medal
 1953
Naval General Service Medal (1915) 1954
mention in dispatches
 1965
South Atlantic Medal 1982
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal 1977

References

  1. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U10954
    .
  2. ^ a b "Buccaneer Strike Force". SWA Fine Art. Retrieved 1 June 2020. Captain Michael C Clapp CB joined the Royal Navy in 1950 from Marlborough College. As a midshipman, he served in the Far East during the Korean campaign.
  3. ^ "Captain M C Clapp CB RN". Buckingham Covers. Retrieved 5 June 2020. CLAPP, Captain Michael Cecil CB 1982; RN retired; born 22 Feb. 1932; son of Brig. Cecil Douglas Clapp, CBE and Mary Elizabeth Emmeline Palmer Clapp; married in 1975 to Sarah Jane Alexander; one son and two daughters. Educated Chafyn Grove Sch., Salisbury; Marlborough College. Joined Royal Navy, 1950; commanded HM Ships Puncheston, Jaguar and Leander, and 801 Sqdn; Commander, Falklands Amphibious Task Gp, 1982. Mem., Stock Exchange, 1987-95. Gov., Kelly Coll., 1985 -. Publication: Amphibious Assault, Falklands, 1996. Recreations: sailing, shooting, fishing, country life. Club: Royal Cruising.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Grivas Monument and Agios Georgios Caique Museum Chloraka". www.cyprusisland.net/cyprus-museums-galleries/grivas-monument-and-agios-georgios-caique-museum-chloraka/. 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Buccaneer Strike Force". SWA Fine Art. Retrieved 1 June 2020. In 1954 he was boarding officer capturing a caique running guns into Cyprus.
  6. ISBN 978-1-8488-4222-9
    .
  7. ^ "Buccaneer Strike Force". SWA Fine Art. Retrieved 1 June 2020. In 1955, he was appointed to No. 1 Long Observer Course, expecting to specialise in anti-submarine warfare. His first operational flying tour was, however, with 849 Airborne Early Warning Squadron. In 1959, after a series of flying courses, he was posted to Ferranti Ltd to assist in test flying the weapon system for the Buccaneer Mk 1 finally joining 700 Z Flight, the Intensive Flying Trials Unit. In 1962, he was the senior observer of 801 Squadron, then the first operational Mk 1 Buccaneer squadron. They embarked in HMS Ark Royal and Victorious and sailed for the Far East and tropical trials returning home in January 1964. In late 1965 he took command of 801 Squadron now equipped with the Buccaneer Mk 2. The Squadron once again embarked in HMS Victorious and sailed for the Far East and tropical trials.
  8. ^ "Memorial to Falklands Conflict". Ministry of Defence UK. 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2020. National Memorial Arboretum's Falklands Memorial unveiled on the 30th Anniversary of British troops stepping ashore at San Carlos Bay. Dedicated to the 255 UK servicemen and merchant seamen who were killed during the Conflict, over 600 veterans attended the dedication in Staffordshire this Sunday. Guests included, Sara JONES CBE JP DL, widow of Lt Col H Jones VC OBE, Major General Julian THOMPSON CB OBE, and Admiral the Rt Hon Lord WEST of Spithead GCB DSC. Seen here: Commodore Michael CLAPP CB RN.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ a b "No. 43839". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 December 1965. p. 11693.
  10. ^ "Buccaneer Strike Force". SWA Fine Art. Retrieved 1 June 2020. He returned to the Far East to command HMS Puncheston, a Minesweeper, during Indonesian Confrontation when he was mentioned in despatches.
  11. ISBN 0-7146-5539-2
    . Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer Association 801 Squadron". Fleet Air Arm Buccaneer Association. Retrieved 5 June 2020. The squadron reformed again at Lossiemouth on the 14th of October 1965 with 12 Buccaneer S2 aircraft mainly supplied from 700B Flight. Joining HMS Victorious for a spell in the Mediterranean, it returned home a year later. The squadron subsequently received the 1967 Boyd Trophy for its efforts in bringing the Buccaneer into service.
  13. ^ "No. 44625". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 July 1968. p. 7341.
  14. ISBN 0-7146-5710-7
    .
  15. ^ "No. 46363". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 October 1974. p. 8525.
  16. ^ Hobgood, LCDR Bill (March 1979). "In the Gulf". Surface Warfare. Arlington, VA: USN. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  17. ^ William E. Ramsey (4 February 1979). Hearing Before the Committee on Armed Services United States Senate 96th Congress First Session on S.673 'A Bill to Authorize Appropriations for the Department of Energy for National Security Programs for Fiscal Year 1980 and Fiscal Year 1981. And for Other Purposes' (Report). U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 119. Retrieved 5 June 2020. Dear Admiral Rickover : This is a special letter. 'Description of Gulfex 79'
  18. ^ "Buccaneer Strike Force". SWA Fine Art. Retrieved 1 June 2020. After a brief stay at the Joint Warfare Establishment, he had two ship commands, HMS Jaguar and HMS Leander. He also completed two tours in the Naval Staff of the MOD and one as the executive officer of HMS Norfolk completing Exocet trials at Toulon. Later he was the Naval Director of the Joint Maritime Operational Training Staff. In 1981 he was appointed Commodore Amphibious Warfare.
  19. OCLC 249889816
    .
  20. OCLC 249889816
    .
  21. OCLC 249889816
    .
  22. ^ a b "No. 49134". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 October 1982. p. 12856.
  23. OCLC 833138058
    .
  24. ^ "No. 49406". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 July 1983. p. 8822.
  25. ^ "Michael Cecil CLAPP". Companies House. Retrieved 5 June 2020. Michael Cecil CLAPP Filter appointments Total number of appointments 2 MOUNT KELLY FOUNDATION GOVERNORS (03069235) Company status Active Role RESIGNED Director Appointed on 7 July 1995 Resigned on 31 December 2010 MOUNT KELLY ENTERPRISES LTD (01482627) Company status Active Role RESIGNED Director Appointed before 13 November 1992 Resigned on 17 June 2002; former Correspondence address Manor Farm, Broadhempston, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6BT
  26. ^ "Captain M C Clapp CB RN". Buckingham Covers. Retrieved 5 June 2020. CLAPP, Captain Michael Cecil CB 1982; RN retired; born 22 Feb. 1932; son of Brig. Cecil Douglas Clapp, CBE and Mary Elizabeth Emmeline Palmer Clapp; married in 1975 to Sarah Jane Alexander; one son and two daughters. Educated Chafyn Grove Sch., Salisbury; Marlborough College. Joined Royal Navy, 1950; commanded HM Ships Puncheston, Jaguar and Leander, and 801 Sqdn; Commander, Falklands Amphibious Task Gp, 1982. Mem., Stock Exchange, 1987-95. Gov., Kelly Coll., 1985 -. Publication: Amphibious Assault, Falklands, 1996. Recreations: sailing, shooting, fishing, country life. Club: Royal Cruising.[permanent dead link]
  27. ^ "No. 49237". The London Gazette (Supplement). 18 January 1983. p. 743.
  28. ^ "No. 49406". The London Gazette (Supplement). 5 July 1983. p. 8821.
  29. ^ "Memorial to Falklands Conflict". Ministry of Defence UK. 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2020. National Memorial Arboretum's Falklands Memorial unveiled on the 30th Anniversary of British troops stepping ashore at San Carlos Bay. Dedicated to the 255 UK servicemen and merchant seamen who were killed during the Conflict, over 600 veterans attended the dedication in Staffordshire this Sunday. Guests included, Sara JONES CBE JP DL, widow of Lt Col H Jones VC OBE, Major General Julian THOMPSON CB OBE, and Admiral the Rt Hon Lord WEST of Spithead GCB DSC. Seen here: Commodore Michael CLAPP CB RN.[permanent dead link]
  30. ^ Keleny, Anne (29 January 2016). "Rear-Admiral Peter Dingemans: Falklands War naval officer". The Independent. London, England: Newspaper Publishing PLC. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  31. ^ "Rear-Admiral Peter Dingemans – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2018.

External links

Military offices
Preceded by
Christopher J. Isacke October 1979-May 1981
 Commodore Amphibious Warfare [30] Succeeded by
Peter G. V. Dingemans DSO: February 1983-January 1985
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