In Memoriam
Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL AdC
2 April 1943 – 6 November 2022
SUBMARINER PATRON, SUBMARINERS ASSOCIATION
Michael Cecil Boyce was born in South Africa on 2nd April 1943 and he was the son of Commander Hugh Boyce DSC and Madelaine Boyce (nee Manley). He was educated at Hurstpierpoint College. He joined the Royal Navy at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth in September 1961.
After completion of basic training he qualified as a Submariner in 1965.
- Cadet 1st September 1961, Midshipman
- Sub Lieutenant 1st September 1963
- Lieutenant 1st January 1966
- Lt Commander 1st January 1974
- Commander 30th June 1975
- Captain 30th June 1982
- Commodore 1990 & 1991
- Rear Admiral 16th July 1991
- Vice Admiral 1st February 1994
- Admiral 25th May 2005
- Admiral of the Fleet 13th June 2014
1962 – 1964 BRNC
1965 HMS DOLPHIN (SM Training)
1966 HMS ANCHORITE
1967 HMS PRESIDENT
1968 – 1969 HMS VALIANT
1970 HMS VERNON
1971 HMS DOLPHIN
1972 HMS CONQUEROR
1973 HMS NEPTUNE
1973 COQC HMS OBERON (in Command)
1975 HMS OPOSSUM (in Command))
1976 HMS NEPTUNE (CSST)
1977 RNC Greenwich (RN Staff Course)
1978 – 1979 FOSM Staff (Staff Warfare Officer)
1980 – 1981 HMS SUPERB (in Command)
1982 MOD (DN Plans)
1983 HMS BRILLIANT (in Command)
1984 RN Presentation Team
1985 – 1986 HMS NEPTUNE( as CSST)
1987 MoD DNPP (as AD Warfare)
1988 – 1989 RCDS, SNO Middle East & Cdr TG321.1, DNSD
1992 FOST & NBC Portland
1993 – 1994 FOSF & Commander ASW Striking Force (NATO)
1995 – 1997 2SL & CINCNAVHOME
1998 C-in-C Fleet & C-in-C Eastern Atlantic & Commander Allied Naval Forces North Western Europe, First Sea Lord & Chief of Naval Staff
- Lord Boyce was elevated to the peerage in June 2003
- Appointed Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle in July 2004
- King of Arms of the Order of the Bath in 2009-2018.
- He was made a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter in April 2011
- Appointed Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom in 2021
- He made a Knight (of Justice) of St John in December 2002
- Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in December 2003
- The first Colonel Commandant of the Special Boat Service (2003-)
- Patron of the Special Boat Service Association (2020)
- He was a Freeman of the City of London
- An Elder Brother of Trinity House
- Honorary Doctor of Laws (Portsmouth)
- Honorary Doctor of Civil Law (University of Kent)
- Honorary Doctor of Canterbury Christ Church University
- Honorary Doctor of Science Imperial College London
- Honorary Bencher, Middle Temple
- Chairman Royal National Lifeboat Institution (2008-2013)
- Vice President 2013-); Chairman HMS Victory Preservation Company (2012-2021)
- Chairman Advisory Board Centre for Blast Injury Studies (2011-)
- Chairman ADVANCE Study Charity (2019-)
- President White Ensign Association (VP 2010-2020, Chairman 2007-2010)
- President Officers Association (2003-2012)
- President St John Ambulance (London District) (2003-2011)
- Vice-President Pilgrims Society (President 2010-2015)
- Trustee National Maritime Museum (2005-2013)
- Governor Hospital of Sir John Hawkins (2004-)
- Vice President Forces Pension Society
- Patron Sail4Cancer
- Patron Trafalgar Woods
- Patron Submariners Association
- Patron RN Squash Rackets Association
- Patron Forces in Mind Trust
- President Royal Navy Submarine Museum
- Vice Patron Tall Ships Youth Trust
- Vice Patron Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust (2015-)
- He was Vice President and a Trustee of the Naval & Military Club [Director and Vice Chairman (2003-2009)]
- Liveryman and Court Member of the Drapers’ Company (Master 2013-14)
He was a keen sportsman, on and off the water, and follower of opera and ballet; and he was a member of the Garrick Club, Naval & Military Club, Queen’s Club and the Jesters Club
RIP Sir
