David R.M. Tuke (44-47), a retired Commander RN, died peacefully on February 25, 2021, aged 91. He left a wife Bunty, two sons and three grandchildren. His son James provided details of his father’s life in the Royal Navy from notes David left.

“I joined the RN in 1947, Special Entry (Supply and Secretariat Branch), reaching the rank of Commander in 1968. Amongst my other appointments, I served in the battleship HMS Vanguard 1951-52 as Naval Storekeeping Officer, and was due to take the Late King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to South Africa for his recuperation, but The King died ten days before the ship was set to sail.

From 1952-54 I was posted to NATO Fontainebleau 1952-54 as Assistant Secretary to Vice Admiral Robert Jaujard and Rear Admiral Cazalet. Later, I served in H.M. Yacht Britannia 1963-66 as Deputy Supply Officer.

As a Retired Officer, from 1983-93 I was responsible for the writing, and rewriting of all Naval Administrative Instructions, including disposal of Defence Council Instructions. This culminated in the complete revision and rewriting of Queen’s Regulations for the Royal Navy. I retired in 1993.”