Michael Layard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Michael Layard
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | 3 January 1936 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1954–1996 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | Naval Home Command HMS Cardiff RNAS Culdrose 899 Naval Air Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Falklands War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
Sir Michael Henry Gordon Layard was born on January 3, 1936. He is a retired Royal Navy officer who reached the high rank of Admiral. He held an important job called Second Sea Lord from 1992 to 1995.
Contents
Michael Layard studied at Pangbourne College and the Britannia Royal Naval College. He officially joined the Royal Navy in 1954. He trained to become a fighter pilot, flying fast jets for the navy.
Leading Air Squadrons
In 1970, he took command of the 899 Naval Air Squadron. This squadron flew Sea Vixen aircraft. Later, in 1977, he became the Commander (Air) on the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. In 1979, he became a Chief Staff Officer for Naval Air Command.
Becoming a Captain
On June 30, 1979, Michael Layard was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Serving in the Falklands War
During the Falklands War, he was the Senior Naval Officer on a ship called MV Atlantic Conveyor. Sadly, this ship was sunk by two Exocet missiles.
Important Commands
After the war, Layard took on several key roles:
- In 1982, he became the Commander of RNAS Culdrose, a Royal Naval Air Station.
- In 1984, he became the Captain of the destroyer HMS Cardiff.
- In 1985, he worked at the Ministry of Defence as the Director Naval Warfare (Air).
Reaching Admiral Rank
Layard continued to rise through the ranks. In 1988, he became the Flag Officer Naval Air Command. In 1990, he was named Director General, Naval Manpower and Training.
From 1992, he served as the Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel. This is a very senior position in the Royal Navy. At the same time, from 1993, he was also the President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. In 1994, he also took on the role of Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command.
After retiring from the Royal Navy, Sir Michael Layard continued to be involved in important organizations. He became a Trustee of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, which tells the story of naval aviation. He also became a Governor of Pangbourne College, his old school.
He enjoys sailing and owns a 32-foot yacht named Banjo.
Family Life
In 1966, Michael Layard married Elspeth Horsley Fisher. They have two sons together.
