Richard Peek (admiral)
Sir Richard Peek | |
---|---|
Second World War
(United States) |
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
Lieutenant Commander Peek was posted to England after the war to undertake the Staff Course at the
After return to Australia Peek served in various positions before his promotion to commander. From 1951 he served as commanding officer of
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
In 1964 he was promoted to
Peek was promoted to
Retirement and later life
Peek retired on 22 November 1973, and became a
- Navy League of Australia - member, Advisory Council[1]
- In 2002, aged 87, he gave evidence at the Australian Senate inquiry into the "Children Overboard affair", vigorously defending Commander Norm Banks, Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide and the crew.[9][10]
- Championing the Far East Strategic Reserve Association.[11]
- Patron of "A Just Australia", a lobby group for just policies and programs for refugees and asylum seekers[12][13]
- In 2009, provided expert advice to the Australian Parliament regarding the 2009 Defence White Paper, Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030.
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
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald, accessed 8 September 2010
- ^ Richard Peek interviewed by Suzanne Lunney (sound recording), National Library of Australia, June 1977, accessed 7 September 2010
- ^ 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
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Recommendation for Richard Innes Peek to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross" (PDF). Honours and awards. Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
- ^ "Peek, Richard Innes". Korean War Nominal Roll. Commonwealth of Australia. Retrieved 9 September 2010.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b Malaya sailors still fighting for recognition 40 years after naval action, The 7.30 Report, 27 April 1999, accessed 7 September 2010
- Sydney Morning Herald, 21 August 2004, accessed 7 September 2010
- ^ 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
- ^ Remembrance Dinner Speech Archived 11 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 20 February 2004, VADM Michael Hudson, accessed 7 September 2010
- ^ Patrons list, A Just Australia, accessed 7 September 2010
- ^ Processing asylum-seekers in Nauru, Open letter to the Prime Minister from prominent Australians and community leaders, A Just Australia, accessed 7 September 2010