Commandant Mary Irene Talbot, CB (17 February 1922 – 11 May 2012) was a British naval officer who served as Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service from 1973 to 1976.
Mary Talbot | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 February 1922 |
| Died | 11 May 2012 (aged 90) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1943–1976 |
| Rank | Commandant |
| Commands | Women's Royal Naval Service (1973–76) HMS Dauntless (1972–73) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath |
Early life and education
Talbot was born on 17 February 1922.[1] She studied philosophy and economics at the University of Bristol, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[1][2]
Military career
In November 1943, Talbot joined the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) as a naval recruiting assistant.[1] She undertook the officer training course in 1944,[1] and she was made an acting third officer (equivalent in rank to acting sub-lieutenant) with seniority from 10 September.[3] She was then stationed at HMS Eaglet, where she served as an education and resettlement officer for the remainder of the Second World War.[1][2]
From 1945 to 1961, Talbot served on the staff of three separate commanders-in-chief: Mediterranean Fleet, The Nore, and Portsmouth.[2] She was promoted to second officer (equivalent to lieutenant) in March 1946 with seniority from 1 January,[4] to first officer (equivalent to lieutenant commander) in 1952,[1] and to chief officer (equivalent to commander) in 1960.[2] From 1963 to 1966, she served on the staff of the Director of Naval Manning.[1] In 1969, she was promoted to superintendent (equivalent to captain) and assigned to the staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command.[1] She was superintendent-in-charge of HMS Dauntless, the WRNS' training establishment, from 1972 to 1973.[2] Finally, from July 1973 to July 1976, she served as Director of the WRNS.[1][5][6] As director, she was promoted to commandant (equivalent to commodore).[1] In 1974, she instigated a Ministry of Defence Study Group to investigate the role of the WRNS: the report would lead to the women being integrated in the previously all-male Royal Navy.[2]
Talbot was appointed an Honorary Aide-de-Camp (Hon ADC) to Queen Elizabeth II in 1973 and,[1][7] in the 1975 New Year Honours, was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath.[8] Talbot retired from the WRNS on 18 October 1976.[9]
Later life
Talbot was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (LLD) degree by the University of Bristol in July 1993.[1][10] She died, aged 90, on 11 May 2012.[1]
References
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