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Michael Boyce, Baron Boyce

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Admiral of the Fleet Michael Cecil Boyce, Baron Boyce, KG, GCB, OBE, KStJ, DL (2 April 1943 – 6 November 2022) was a British Royal Navy officer who also sat as a crossbench member of the House of Lords until his death in November 2022.

Admiral of the Fleet The 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 three submarines and then a frigate before achieving higher command in the Navy and serving as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 1998 to 2001 and then as Chief of the Defence Staff from 2001 to 2003. As Chief of Defence Staff he is believed to have had concerns about US plans for a national missile defence system. In early 2003 he advised the British Government on the deployment of troops for the invasion 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 Boyce DSC and his Afrikaner wife, Madeline (née Manley), was born in Cape Town on 2 April 1943.[1] His two brothers were Philip Boyce, a professor of psychiatry in Australia, and Graham Boyce, a diplomat.[1]

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Hurstpierpoint College in West Sussex, where Boyce was educated

Boyce was educated at Hurstpierpoint College and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.[2] He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1961 and, having trained as a submariner,[2] was confirmed in the rank of sub-lieutenant on 10 December 1965,[3] promoted to lieutenant on 30 August 1966,[4] and saw service in the submarines HMS Anchorite, HMS Valiant and HMS Conqueror.[2] He completed the Submarine Command Course in 1973,[5] became commanding officer of the submarine HMS Oberon in the same year and, having been promoted to lieutenant commander on 8 January 1974,[6] was given command of the submarine HMS Opossum later that year.[2]

Promoted to the rank of commander on 30 June 1976,[7] Boyce became commanding officer of the submarine HMS Superb in 1979.[2] He was posted to the Directorate of Naval Plans at the Ministry of Defence in 1981 and appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1982 Birthday Honours,[5][8] before being promoted to captain on 30 June 1982.[9] He was given command of the frigate HMS Brilliant in January 1983, and returned to the Ministry of Defence as captain, Submarine Sea Training in 1984.[2] He attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1988 and then became Senior Naval Officer in the Middle East in 1989.[2] He went on to be Director of Naval Staff Duties at the Ministry of Defence in August 1989. Following promotion to rear admiral, he became Flag Officer Sea Training in July 1991.[2] He became Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla and NATO Commander of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Striking Force in November 1992.[2][10]

Promoted to vice admiral in February 1994,[5] Boyce was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1995 New Year Honours.[11] He was promoted to full admiral on 25 May 1995, on appointment as Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command,[5] and went on to be Commander-in-Chief Fleet as well as NATO Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic and NATO Commander Allied Naval Forces North West Europe in September 1997.[2]

 
The submarine HMS Superb which Boyce commanded in the late 1970s

Boyce became First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff in October 1998 and was advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in the 1999 Birthday Honours.[12] He was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff in February 2001,[2] and in that role is believed to have had concerns about US plans for a national missile defence system.[5] In early 2003 he advised the British Government on the deployment of troops for the invasion of Iraq, seeking assurances as to the legitimacy of the deployment before it was allowed to proceed.[13] He was appointed a Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem on 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 a life peer as Baron Boyce, of Pimlico in the City of Westminster, on 16 June 2003[16] and was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London on 19 December 2003.[17] He was also appointed a non-executive director of WS Atkins plc in May 2004[18] and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports on 10 December 2004, succeeding Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in 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 the House of Lords about the risk to servicemen facing liability for their actions – for which he claims politicians are ultimately responsible – before the International Criminal Court.[21] He gave evidence to The Iraq Inquiry on 3 December 2009.[22] He was created a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter in April 2011[23] and was a member of the Top 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 of Trinity House[2] and Chairman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.[29] He took a keen interest in sports.[29] In 2013, he was elected Master of the Drapers' Company.[30] He has been the president of the Pilgrims Society, the Royal Navy Submarine Museum and Hastings charity, the Winkle Club,[31] as well as a trustee of the Naval and Military Club.[32]

Boyce was appointed an honorary admiral of the fleet in the Queen's 2014 Birthday Honours.[33]

On 6 December 2021, Boyce was appointed Vice-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 at Westminster Abbey on 13 July 2023.[38] Sir Graham Boyce, brother, Admiral Sir George Zambellas and Colonel Oliver Lee paid tribute.[39]

Honours

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Boyce's banner as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports
 
Boyce's banner among the banners of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in Westminster 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 Medal with 4 Bars 2016[41]
  Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) 1999[42]

Arms

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Coat of arms of Michael Boyce, Baron Boyce
 
Notes
Created a life peer as 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 Garter circlet
The collar as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (Appointed KCB 1995 & GCB 1999)
The badge as Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Banner
  The banner of the Baron Boyce's arms used as Knight Companion of the Garter depicted at St George's Chapel.

References

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  1. ^ a b "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. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010, ISBN 978-1-408-11414-8.
  3. ^ "No. 43836". The London Gazette. 10 December 1965. p. 11545.
  4. ^ "No. 44099". The London Gazette. 30 August 1966. p. 9588.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Profile: Admiral Sir Michael Boyce". BBC News. 8 October 2001. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  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. ^ a b "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. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  11. ^ a b "No. 53893". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1994. p. 2.
  12. ^ a b "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. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  14. ^ a b "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 from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  19. ^ "No. 57496". The London Gazette. 15 December 2004. p. 15732.
  20. ^ "Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889)". Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  21. ^ "Why Britain's top soldier would not end up in the dock over Iraq". The Telegraph. 2 May 2005. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  22. ^ "The US 'assumed' UK participation in Iraq, inquiry told". BBC News. BBC. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  23. ^ a b "Lord Phillips and Admiral Boyce made Knights of Garter". BBC News. 23 April 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  24. ^ "Nuclear-free world ultimate aim of new cross-party pressure group". The Guardian. 8 September 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  25. ^ "Welsh Submariners Association". Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  26. ^ "Dover College". Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  27. ^ "The Dover War Memorial Project". Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  28. ^ "Application Pack" (PDF). Kent Search and Rescue. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  29. ^ a b "Governance". Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  30. ^ "HMS Monmouth strengthens links with Drapers' Company". Royal Navy. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  31. ^ "Winkle club president caught without winkle". Hastings & St Leonard's Observer. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  32. ^ "Lord Boyce". UK Parliament. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
  33. ^ "2014 Birthday Honours for service personnel and defence civilians". Ministry of Defence. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  34. ^ "No. 63647". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 March 2022. p. 5318.
  35. ^ "Boyce". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  36. ^ "Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce obituary". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 7 November 2022. (subscription required)
  37. ^ "Tributes paid to Admiral The Lord Boyce – a great leader and champion of submariners". Royal Navy. 8 November 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce remembered". Westminster Abbey. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  39. ^ "Thanksgiving service: Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce". The Times. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Freemen – Dover's Bygone Rulers". Dover Mercury. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  41. ^ "No. 62445". The London Gazette (Supplement). 23 October 2018. p. 19003.
  42. ^ The International Who's Who 2004. Europa Publications. 2003. p. 208. ISBN 978-1857432176. BOYCE, Adm. Sir Michael.
  43. ^ a b c d Morris, Susan (20 April 2020). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 2019. eBook Partnership. p. 1808. ISBN 978-1-9997670-5-1.
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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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