Wikipedia

Michael Boyce, Baron Boyce

Admiral of the FleetMichael Cecil Boyce, Baron Boyce,KG,GCB,OBE,KStJ,DL(2 April 1943 – 6 November 2022) was a BritishRoyal Navyofficer who also sat as acrossbenchmember of theHouse of Lordsuntil his death in November 2022.

Admiral of the FleetThe Right Honourable

The Lord Boyce

KG,GCB,OBE,KStJ,DL
Official portrait, 2019
Born(1943-04-02)2 April 1943
Cape Town,Cape Province,South Africa
Died6 November 2022(2022-11-06)(aged 79)
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/ branchRoyal Navy
Years of service1961–2003
RankAdmiral of the Fleet
Commands
Battles / warsIraq War
Awards
Other work

Boyce commanded threesubmarinesand then afrigatebefore achieving higher command in the Navy and serving asFirst Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Stafffrom 1998 to 2001 and then asChief of the Defence Stafffrom 2001 to 2003. As Chief of Defence Staff he is believed to have had concerns about US plans for anational missile defence system.In early 2003 he advised the British Government on the deployment of troops for theinvasion of Iraq,seeking assurances as to the legitimacy of the deployment before it was allowed to proceed.

Early life

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Michael Cecil Boyce, the first son of Commander Hugh BoyceDSCand his Afrikaner wife, Madeline (née Manley), was born in Cape Town on 2 April 1943.[1]His two brothers werePhilip Boyce,a professor of psychiatry in Australia, andGraham Boyce,a diplomat.[1]

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Hurstpierpoint CollegeinWest Sussex,where Boyce was educated

Boyce was educated atHurstpierpoint Collegeand theRoyal Naval College, Dartmouth.[2]He joined theRoyal Navyas acadetin 1961 and, having trained as asubmariner,[2]was confirmed in the rank ofsub-lieutenanton 10 December 1965,[3]promoted tolieutenanton 30 August 1966,[4]and saw service in the submarinesHMSAnchorite,HMSValiantandHMSConqueror.[2]He completed theSubmarine Command Coursein 1973,[5]became commanding officer of the submarineHMSOberonin the same year and, having been promoted tolieutenant commanderon 8 January 1974,[6]was given command of the submarineHMSOpossumlater that year.[2]

Promoted to the rank ofcommanderon 30 June 1976,[7]Boyce became commanding officer of the submarineHMSSuperbin 1979.[2]He was posted to the Directorate of Naval Plans at theMinistry of Defencein 1981 and appointed anOfficer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE) in the1982 Birthday Honours,[5][8]before being promoted tocaptainon 30 June 1982.[9]He was given command of thefrigateHMSBrilliantin January 1983, and returned to the Ministry of Defence as captain, Submarine Sea Training in 1984.[2]He attended theRoyal College of Defence Studiesin 1988 and then became Senior Naval Officer in the Middle East in 1989.[2]He went on to beDirector of Naval Staff Dutiesat the Ministry of Defence in August 1989. Following promotion torear admiral,he becameFlag Officer Sea Trainingin July 1991.[2]He becameFlag Officer, Surface FlotillaandNATOCommander of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Striking Force in November 1992.[2][10]

Promoted tovice admiralin February 1994,[5]Boyce was appointed aKnight Commander of the Order of the Bathin the1995 New Year Honours.[11]He was promoted to fulladmiralon 25 May 1995, on appointment asSecond Sea Lordand Commander-in-ChiefNaval Home Command,[5]and went on to beCommander-in-Chief Fleetas well asNATOCommander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic and NATO CommanderAllied Naval Forces North West Europein September 1997.[2]

The submarineHMSSuperbwhich Boyce commanded in the late 1970s

Boyce becameFirst Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staffin October 1998 and was advanced toKnight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bathin the1999 Birthday Honours.[12]He was appointedChief of the Defence Staffin February 2001,[2]and in that role is believed to have had concerns about US plans for anational missile defence system.[5]In early 2003 he advised the British Government on the deployment of troops for theinvasion of Iraq,seeking assurances as to the legitimacy of the deployment before it was allowed to proceed.[13]He was appointed aKnight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalemon 27 November 2002,[14]and retired as Chief of Defence Staff on 7 November 2003.[15]

Later career

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Lord Boyce in 2015

Boyce was created alife peerasBaron Boyce,ofPimlicoin theCity of Westminster,on 16 June 2003[16]and was appointed aDeputy LieutenantofGreater Londonon 19 December 2003.[17]He was also appointed a non-executive director ofWS Atkins plcin May 2004[18]andLord Warden of the Cinque Portson 10 December 2004, succeedingQueen Elizabeth the Queen Motherin that role.[19]He became chairman of the Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889) in 2004.[20]

In May 2005, Boyce was among the several retired Chiefs of Defence Staff who spoke in theHouse of Lordsabout the risk to servicemen facing liability for their actions – for which he claims politicians are ultimately responsible – before theInternational Criminal Court.[21]Hegave evidencetoThe Iraq Inquiryon 3 December 2009.[22]He was created aKnight Companion of the Order of the Garterin April 2011[23]and was a member of theTop Level Group of UK Parliamentarians for Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament and Non-proliferation.[24]

Boyce was Patron of the Submariners Association,[25]Dover College,[26]the Dover War Memorial Project[27]and of Kent Search and Rescue[28]as well as being an Elder Brother ofTrinity House[2]and Chairman of theRoyal National Lifeboat Institution.[29]He took a keen interest in sports.[29]In 2013, he was elected Master of theDrapers' Company.[30]He has been the president of thePilgrims Society,theRoyal Navy Submarine Museumand Hastings charity, theWinkle Club,[31]as well as a trustee of theNaval and Military Club.[32]

Boyce was appointed an honoraryadmiral of the fleetin the Queen's2014 Birthday Honours.[33]

On 6 December 2021, Boyce was appointedVice-Admiral of the United Kingdom.[34]

Personal life and death

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In 1971, Boyce married Harriette Gail Fletcher, with whom he had one son and one daughter.[2]Following the dissolution of his first marriage, he married Fleur Margaret Anne Rutherford (née Smith).[2]Lady Boyce died in 2016 at the age of 67.[35]

Boyce died from cancer on 6 November 2022, at the age of 79.[36][37]

A service of thanksgiving was held atWestminster Abbeyon 13 July 2023.[38]Sir Graham Boyce, brother, Admiral Sir George Zambellas andColonel Oliver Leepaid tribute.[39]

Honours

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Boyce'sbanneras Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports
Boyce's banner among the banners of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath inWestminster Abbey
Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter(KG) 2011[23]
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath(GCB) 1999[12]
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath(KCB) 1995[11]
Officer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE) 1982[8]
Knight of the Order of Saint John 27 November 2002[14]
Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002[40]
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012[40]
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medalwith 4 Bars 2016[41]
Commander of theLegion of Merit(United States) 1999[42]

Arms

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Coat of arms of Michael Boyce, Baron Boyce
Notes
Created alife peeras Baron Boyce in 2003
Coronet
Coronet of a Baron
Crest
A Foul Anchor Or, pendent from the crossbar by its tail a Mouse Opossum Argent, the eye ring and claws Azure.[43]
Escutcheon
Azure, three interlacing Annulets Or, each held in the mouth by an Heraldic Dolphin embowed all in pairle Argent, finned Or.[43]
Supporters
On either side a Sea-Lion Argent, winged finned and navally gorged Or, each grasping with the interior paw a Sword Argent, hilt pommel and quillions Or.[43]
Motto
IPSIS FRETUS IMPEDIMENTIS POSSUM(I can trust myself with hindrances)[43]
Orders
Order of the Gartercirclet
The collar as Knight Grand Cross of theOrder of the Bath(Appointed KCB 1995 & GCB 1999)
The badge as Officer of theOrder of the British Empire
Banner
The banner of the Baron Boyce's arms used as Knight Companion of the Garter depicted atSt George's Chapel.

References

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  1. ^ab"Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce, Chief of Defence Staff and a 'burr under the saddle' of the Blair government before the Iraq War – obituary".The Telegraph.7 November 2022.Retrieved10 November2022.
  2. ^abcdefghijklmnWho's Who2010,A & C Black,2010,ISBN978-1-408-11414-8.
  3. ^"No. 43836".The London Gazette.10 December 1965. p. 11545.
  4. ^"No. 44099".The London Gazette.30 August 1966. p. 9588.
  5. ^abcde"Profile: Admiral Sir Michael Boyce".BBC News. 8 October 2001.Retrieved19 August2012.
  6. ^"No. 46174".The London Gazette(Supplement). 7 January 1974. p. 264.
  7. ^"No. 46953".The London Gazette(Supplement). 5 July 1976. p. 9281.
  8. ^ab"No. 49008".The London Gazette(Supplement). 11 June 1982. p. 5.
  9. ^"No. 49047".The London Gazette(Supplement). 12 July 1982. p. 9145.
  10. ^"Tributes paid to Admiral The Lord Boyce – a great leader and champion of submariners".Royal Naby. 8 November 2022.Retrieved12 November2022.
  11. ^ab"No. 53893".The London Gazette(Supplement). 30 December 1994. p. 2.
  12. ^ab"No. 55513".The London Gazette(Supplement). 12 June 1999. p. 2.
  13. ^"Iraq war inquiry: Top admiral told 'regime change not the goal' by Blair".The Guardian.27 January 2011.Retrieved19 August2012.
  14. ^ab"No. 56766".The London Gazette.27 November 2002. p. 14391.
  15. ^"No. 57019".The London Gazette(Supplement). 11 November 2003. p. 13881.
  16. ^"No. 56977".The London Gazette.20 June 2003. p. 7693.
  17. ^"No. 57172".The London Gazette.8 January 2004. p. 209.
  18. ^"Board of Directors".Atkins. Archived fromthe originalon 20 October 2012.Retrieved19 August2012.
  19. ^"No. 57496".The London Gazette.15 December 2004. p. 15732.
  20. ^"Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889)".Archived fromthe originalon 31 August 2018.Retrieved19 August2012.
  21. ^"Why Britain's top soldier would not end up in the dock over Iraq".The Telegraph.2 May 2005.Retrieved19 August2012.
  22. ^"The US 'assumed' UK participation in Iraq, inquiry told".BBC News.BBC. 3 December 2009.Retrieved19 August2012.
  23. ^ab"Lord Phillips and Admiral Boyce made Knights of Garter".BBC News.23 April 2011.Retrieved19 August2012.
  24. ^"Nuclear-free world ultimate aim of new cross-party pressure group".The Guardian.8 September 2009.Retrieved19 August2012.
  25. ^"Welsh Submariners Association".Archived fromthe originalon 13 March 2013.Retrieved19 August2012.
  26. ^"Dover College".Archived fromthe originalon 22 December 2014.Retrieved6 August2014.
  27. ^"The Dover War Memorial Project".Retrieved19 August2012.
  28. ^"Application Pack"(PDF).Kent Search and Rescue.Retrieved27 August2018.
  29. ^ab"Governance".Royal National Lifeboat Institution.Retrieved19 August2012.
  30. ^"HMS Monmouth strengthens links with Drapers' Company".Royal Navy. 16 July 2013.Retrieved25 July2013.
  31. ^"Winkle club president caught without winkle".Hastings & St Leonard's Observer.28 May 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2017.Retrieved21 November2017.
  32. ^"Lord Boyce".UK Parliament.Retrieved21 November2014.
  33. ^"2014 Birthday Honours for service personnel and defence civilians".Ministry of Defence. 13 June 2014.Retrieved22 June2014.
  34. ^"No. 63647".The London Gazette(Supplement). 22 March 2022. p. 5318.
  35. ^"Boyce".The Telegraph.Retrieved7 June2016.
  36. ^"Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce obituary".The Times.ISSN0140-0460.Retrieved7 November2022.(subscription required)
  37. ^"Tributes paid to Admiral The Lord Boyce – a great leader and champion of submariners".Royal Navy.8 November 2022.Retrieved3 March2024.
  38. ^"Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce remembered".Westminster Abbey.Retrieved15 July2023.
  39. ^"Thanksgiving service: Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce".The Times.14 July 2023.Retrieved11 September2023.
  40. ^ab"Freemen – Dover's Bygone Rulers".Dover Mercury. 16 October 2013.Retrieved19 September2014.
  41. ^"No. 62445".The London Gazette(Supplement). 23 October 2018. p. 19003.
  42. ^The International Who's Who 2004.Europa Publications. 2003. p.208.ISBN978-1857432176.BOYCE, Adm. Sir Michael.
  43. ^abcdMorris, Susan (20 April 2020).Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 2019.eBook Partnership. p. 1808.ISBN978-1-9997670-5-1.
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Military offices
Preceded by Flag Officer Sea Training
1991–1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Second Sea Lord
1995–1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander-in-Chief Fleet
1997–1998 		Succeeded by
Preceded by First Sea Lord
1998–2001
Preceded by Chief of the Defence Staff
2001–2003 		Succeeded by
Honorary titles
Preceded by Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports
2005–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom
2021–2022 		Vacant
Heraldic offices
Preceded by King of Arms of the Order of the Bath
2009–2018 		Succeeded by
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