Admiral Sir John Forster "Sandy" Woodward, (1 May 1932 – 4 August 2013) was a senior Royal Navy officer who commanded the Task Force of the Falklands War. ==Early life== Woodward was born on 1 May 1932 at Penzance, Cornwall, to a bank clerk.
He then continued his education at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon. ==Naval career== On graduation from the Royal Naval College Dartmouth Woodward joined the Royal Navy in 1946.
He became a submariner in 1954, and was promoted to lieutenant that May.
In 1960 he passed the Royal Navy's rigorous Submarine Command Course known as The Perisher, and received his first command, the T Class submarine HMS Tireless.
A memorial service was held for him at Chichester Cathedral on 14 November 2013, with Admiral Sir George Zambellas representing the Queen. ==Personal life== Woodward married Charlotte McMurtrie in 1960, the marriage producing a son and a daughter. ==Honours and decorations== On 11 October 1982, Woodward was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) 'in recognition of service within the operations in the South Atlantic'.
Promoted to lieutenant-commander in May 1962, he then commanded HMS Grampus before becoming the second in command of the nuclear fleet submarine HMS Valiant.
In 1967, he was promoted to commander and became the Instructor (known as Teacher) of The Perisher Course.
He took command of HMS Warspite in December 1969.
He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1972.
In 1974, he became Captain of Submarine Training and in 1976 he took command of HMS Sheffield. He became Head of Naval Plans in the Ministry of Defence in 1978.
In 1974, he became Captain of Submarine Training and in 1976 he took command of HMS Sheffield. He became Head of Naval Plans in the Ministry of Defence in 1978.
In 1974, he became Captain of Submarine Training and in 1976 he took command of HMS Sheffield. He became Head of Naval Plans in the Ministry of Defence in 1978.
In July 1981, he was promoted to rear admiral and appointed as Flag Officer First Flotilla. ===Falklands War=== In 1982, he commanded the Hermes aircraft carrier group, Task Group 317.8, in the Falklands War.
In July 1981, he was promoted to rear admiral and appointed as Flag Officer First Flotilla. ===Falklands War=== In 1982, he commanded the Hermes aircraft carrier group, Task Group 317.8, in the Falklands War.
A memorial service was held for him at Chichester Cathedral on 14 November 2013, with Admiral Sir George Zambellas representing the Queen. ==Personal life== Woodward married Charlotte McMurtrie in 1960, the marriage producing a son and a daughter. ==Honours and decorations== On 11 October 1982, Woodward was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) 'in recognition of service within the operations in the South Atlantic'.
He wrote a book entitled One Hundred Days, co-authored by Patrick Robinson, describing his Falklands experiences. ===Later career=== In 1983, Woodward was appointed Flag Officer Submarines and NATO Commander Submarines Eastern Atlantic.
In 1984, he was promoted to vice admiral, and in 1985 he was Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Commitments).
In 1984, he was promoted to vice admiral, and in 1985 he was Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Commitments).
Before retirement in 1989 he also served, from 1987, as Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and Flag Aide-de-Camp to the Queen. ==Later life== The first edition of Woodward's memoirs was published in 1992.
Before retirement in 1989 he also served, from 1987, as Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and Flag Aide-de-Camp to the Queen. ==Later life== The first edition of Woodward's memoirs was published in 1992.
Before retirement in 1989 he also served, from 1987, as Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and Flag Aide-de-Camp to the Queen. ==Later life== The first edition of Woodward's memoirs was published in 1992.
They were well received and were updated in 2003 and 2012 with updated recollections as well as responses to the memoirs and responses made by Commodore Michael Clapp.
They were well received and were updated in 2003 and 2012 with updated recollections as well as responses to the memoirs and responses made by Commodore Michael Clapp.
Admiral Sir John Forster "Sandy" Woodward, (1 May 1932 – 4 August 2013) was a senior Royal Navy officer who commanded the Task Force of the Falklands War. ==Early life== Woodward was born on 1 May 1932 at Penzance, Cornwall, to a bank clerk.
In his later life Woodward wrote various opinion pieces for British newspapers regarding defence matters, particularly the Strategic Defence and Security Review. ==Death== He died of heart failure in his 82nd year on 4 August 2013 at Bosham, West Sussex.
A memorial service was held for him at Chichester Cathedral on 14 November 2013, with Admiral Sir George Zambellas representing the Queen. ==Personal life== Woodward married Charlotte McMurtrie in 1960, the marriage producing a son and a daughter. ==Honours and decorations== On 11 October 1982, Woodward was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) 'in recognition of service within the operations in the South Atlantic'.
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