The Flag Officer, Second Flotilla was a senior British Royal Navy appointment from 1971 to 1992.
History After the creation of the single Commander-in-Chief Fleet post in 1971, its subordinate commands were reorganised. Three major sub-commands were created; the First Flotilla, Second Flotilla and Carriers and Amphibious Ships each commanded by a rear admiral. The Flotilla included (Watson & Smith 2015): 4th Frigate Squadron (1976-1981) 5th Frigate Squadron (1972-1976) 6th Frigate Squadron (1972-1976) 7th Frigate Squadron (1972-1980) 8th Frigate Squadron (1972-1980) 5th Destroyer Squadron (1980-1992)
In 1990 the First Flotilla was re-designated Surface Flotilla. Rear Admiral Brigstocke, the incumbent Flag Officer Second Flotilla, commanded the task group off Libya during the Gulf War.Iain Ballantyre, Strike from the Sea, 101-102.
In April 1992, the system was changed when the Third Flotilla was abolished and the remaining two flotilla commanders became Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla - responsible for operational readiness and training; and Second Flotilla became Flag Officer, UK Task Group, who would command any deployed task group.
Flag Officers, Second Flotilla
Included: Rear-Admiral David Williams: November 1971-March 1972 Rear-Admiral Andrew J. Miller: March 1972-March 1973 Rear-Admiral Richard P. Clayton: March 1973-December 1974 Rear-Admiral John D.E. Fieldhouse: December 1974-October 1976 Rear-Admiral William D.M. Staveley: October 1976-March 1977 Rear-Admiral Martin La T. Wemyss: March 1977-December 1978 Rear-Admiral Peter M. Stanford: December 1978-October 1980 Rear-Admiral Nicholas J.S. Hunt: October 1980-November 1981 Rear-Admiral Robert W. F. Gerken: November 1981-October 1983 Rear-Admiral D. Benjamin Bathurst: October 1983-April 1985 Rear-Admiral W. Richard S. Thomas: April 1985-December 1986 Rear-Admiral Guy F. Liardet: December 1986-March 1988 Rear-Admiral A. Peter Woodhead: March 1988-August 1989 Rear-Admiral Peter C. Abbott: August 1989-January 1991 Rear-Admiral John R. Brigstocke: January 1991-April 1992
Notes
References Mackie, Colin. (2018) "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. Scotland, UK. Roberts, John (2009). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Barnsley, England: Seaforth Publishing. .