Duke On Active List

Northern Advocate, 5 August 1949, Page 5

Duke On Active List

LONDON, Thu. (11 a.m.).—lt is understood that the appointment of the Duke of Edinburgh as first lieutenant of the destroyer Chequers, of the Mediterranean Fleet, was made at his own request. The Duke, who has been on half-pay as a lieutenant since September 29, 1948, has made a request for return to the active list, with His Majesty’s consent. The Duke will be stationed at Malta, but there is no idea at present that. Princess Elizabeth should join him there. The Duke will join Chequers on October 17, and begin his appointment on October 18. Captain J. E. H. Mcßeath, a South African who joined the Navy as an ordinary rating, commands Chequers. The Duke’s appointment., which was announced in the ordinary Admiralty list, is a normal one for an officer of his rank of seniority. He was first lieutenant of the destroyer Wallace in 1942 at the age of 21, the youngest officer to hold such a post He will be serving with his uncle, Vice Admiral Earl Mountbatten, who commands the Ist Cruiser Squadron ki the Mediterranean. The Duke, as a destroyer officer, will not come into administrative contact with Earl Mountbatten.