Richard Peek (admiral)

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Sir Richard Peek
Second World War
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Distinguished Service Cross
Legion of Merit
(United States)

CB, DSC (30 July 1914 – 28 August 2010) was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, who served as First Naval Member of the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board
from 1970 to 1973.

Naval career

Peek joined the Royal Australian Navy College in 1928 as a cadet midshipman and graduated with maximum honours. His specialist gunnery training followed, with the Royal Navy as was typical of the era, at Whale Island, Portsmouth.[2] He was consolidating his training as a gunnery officer, serving in the battleship HMS Revenge, at the outbreak of the Second World War.

In 1941 he returned to Australia and served as a lieutenant gunnery officer in

Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his "Skill, determination and courage" during the battle.[4] Peek was additionally decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for "Gallantry and skill" during assault operations on the Lingayan Gulf.[5]

Lieutenant Commander Richard Peek. Artist: Geoffrey Mainwaring

Lieutenant Commander Peek was posted to England after the war to undertake the Staff Course at the

Joint Services Staff College.[1]

After return to Australia Peek served in various positions before his promotion to commander. From 1951 he served as commanding officer of

Korean War, he commanded the destroyer HMAS Tobruk and for his service was awarded the United States' Legion of Merit.[6][7]

From 1954 he served as Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel. After promotion to captain he again commanded HMAS Tobruk from 1956 to 1958 and was also Captain (Destroyers) of the 10th Destroyer Squadron. The ship was part of the

Imperial Defence College. From 1962 he commanded the aircraft carrier HMAS Sydney, and then the aircraft carrier and RAN flagship HMAS Melbourne.[1]

In 1964 he was promoted to

British Commonwealth's Far East Strategic Reserve. During this period the RAN first participated in naval bombardment operations against North Vietnam, beginning with HMAS Hobart
. In 1968, Peek was appointed as Second Naval Member and Chief of Personnel.

, Vietnam, 1967.

Peek was promoted to

replenishment ship. The Australian government changed in 1972 and, due to the new Whitlam government
's opposition to the planned DDL project, in August 1973 Peek advised the Government to not proceed.

Retirement and later life

Peek retired on 22 November 1973, and became a

Cooma. He remained active in naval and military affairs, and campaigned for the welfare of veterans.[8]
His many activities included:

Family

Richard Peek died on 28 August 2010. Peek was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret, and his second wife, Catherine. He was survived by his son Matthew, and daughters Jane and Rachel.[1]

References

  1. ^
    Sydney Morning Herald
    , accessed 8 September 2010
  2. ^ Richard Peek interviewed by Suzanne Lunney (sound recording), National Library of Australia, June 1977, accessed 7 September 2010
  3. ^ Speech (4.37) Archived 23 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, The Hon. R. B. ROWLAND SMITH, Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, 5 May 1992, Hansard of Parliament of New South Wales, accessed 7 September 2010
  4. ^ "Recommendation for Richard Innes Peek to be awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire" (PDF). Honours and awards. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  5. ^ "Recommendation for Richard Innes Peek to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross" (PDF). Honours and awards. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Peek, Richard Innes". Korean War Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  7. ^ "Recommendation for Richard Innes Peek to be awarded the United States' Legion of Merit" (PDF). Honours and awards. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
  8. ^ a b Malaya sailors still fighting for recognition 40 years after naval action, The 7.30 Report, 27 April 1999, accessed 7 September 2010
  9. Sydney Morning Herald
    , 21 August 2004, accessed 7 September 2010
  10. ^ Official Committee Hansard, Senate, Select Committee on a Certain Maritime Incident Archived 17 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Senate Select on A Certain Maritime Incident, 18 April 2002, accessed 7 September 2010
  11. ^ Remembrance Dinner Speech Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 20 February 2004, VADM Michael Hudson, accessed 7 September 2010
  12. ^ Patrons list, A Just Australia, accessed 7 September 2010
  13. ^ Processing asylum-seekers in Nauru, Open letter to the Prime Minister from prominent Australians and community leaders, A Just Australia, accessed 7 September 2010
Military offices
Preceded by
Vice Admiral Sir Victor Smith
Chief of Naval Staff
1970–1973
Succeeded by
Vice Admiral Sir David Stevenson
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Victor Smith
Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet

1967–1968
Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Gordon Crabb
Preceded by
Rear Admiral Thomas Morrison
Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
1965–1967
Succeeded by
Rear Admiral Victor Smith