Edinburgh Castle flew its flag at half-mast on Monday in memory of a senior member of defence staff.
Lord Michael Boyce, the former submariner, First Sea Lord, and Chief of the Defence Staff died on Sunday November 6 at the age of 79 having served the Royal Navy, nation and numerous good causes.
An Edinburgh Castle spokesman said: “As a mark of respect, for the day of the funeral of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce, the Union Flag is being flown at half-mast from 8am to 8pm on Monday 21 November 22 by the Military of Defence.”
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According to the Forces in Mind Trust website, Lord Boyce joined the navy in 1961 after qualifying as a submariner. His full title is Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL. In the course of his career, he commanded two conventional submarines, a nuclear attack submarine and the submarine training squadron as well as becoming an anti-submarine Warfare specialist.
The Royal Navy issued a statement following the passing of The Lord Boyce. “The Royal Navy has lost one of its great Cold War warriors and post-Cold War leaders with the passing of Admiral The Lord Boyce.”
"Away from the underwater world, he accomplished many things. He commanded the HMS Brilliant, was director of the Naval Staff and had the role of Senior Naval Officer Middle East.
"In his last year before retirement, as Chief of the Defence staff , he challenged Tony Blair on the legality of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
"Lord Boyce was awarded many accomplishments including First Sea Lord in 1998, Chief of defence staff in 2001 before retiring in 2003. Then in 2014 he was appointed admiral of the Fleet in 2014."
Lord Boyce was also a very charitable man, involved in a large number of charities and associations.
· Chairman Royal National Lifeboat Institution (2008-2013);
· Chairman HMS Victory Preservation Company;
· Chairman Advisory Board Centre for Blast Injury Studies;
· President of St John Ambulance (London District) (2003-2011);
· Patron Sail4Cancer;
· Patron of the Submariners Association; Patron Forces in Mind Trust;
This is just a small percentage of the charities he chaired and helped out with. He championed the causes of young and old connected with the Royal Navy.
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