Andrew Collier

For another person, see Andrew Collier (philosopher).

Vice Admiral Andrew Laurence Collier CMM DSC CD (June 3, 1924 – January 3, 1987) was a Canadian Forces officer who served as Commander Maritime Command from 14 June 1977 to 30 June 1979.

Andrew Collier
Nickname(s)	Andy
Born	(1924-06-03)June 3, 1924 Kamloops, British Columbia
Died	January 3, 1987(1987-01-03) (aged 62) Victoria, British Columbia
Allegiance	Canada
Branch	Royal Canadian Navy Canadian Forces Maritime Command
Years of service	1946–1980
Rank	Vice-Admiral
Commands	HMCS Skeena Seventh Canadian Escort Squadron Canadian Flotilla (Atlantic) Maritime Forces Pacific Maritime Command
Awards	Order of Military Merit Distinguished Service Cross Canadian Forces' Decoration

Early years

Collier was born in Kamloops and raised in Salmon Arm, where his family was prominent in the grocery business.^[1][2]

Naval career

Collier joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1942 and completed his training in 1945.^[1] He became Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Skeena in 1960, Captain Sea Training on the staff of the Flag Officer Atlantic Coast in 1962 and Director Naval Plans at the National Defence Headquarters in 1964.^[1] He went on to be Director International Plans in 1965, Commander Seventh Canadian Escort Squadron in 1966 and Deputy Chief of Staff Maritime Training in 1967.^[1] After that he became Deputy Chief of Staff (Combat Readiness) in 1970, Commander Canadian Flotilla (Atlantic) in 1972 and Senior Liaison Officer (Navy) on the Defence Liaison Staff in Washington, D.C. in 1973.^[1] His last appointments were as Chief of Maritime Operations in 1974, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific in 1975 and Commander Maritime Command in 1977, in which role he argued for more ships,^[3] before retiring in 1979.^[1]

Awards and decorations

Collier's personal awards and decorations include the following:

Ribbon	Description	Notes
	Order of Military Merit (CMM)	Appointed Commander (CMM) on 20 June 1977[4]
	Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) (DSC)	Citation for Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)[5]
	1939–1945 Star	WWII 1939-1945
	Atlantic Star	WWII 1939–1945 with France & Germany Clasp
	Canadian Volunteer Service Medal	WWII 1939–1945 with Overseas Service bar
	War Medal 1939–1945	WWII 1939-1945
	Korea Medal	1950-1953
	Canadian Volunteer Service Medal for Korea
	United Nations Service Medal Korea	1950-1954
	Canadian Centennial Medal	Decoration awarded in 1967
	Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal	Decoration awarded in 1977 Canadian version
	Canadian Forces' Decoration (CD)	with two Clasp for 32 years of services

Later career

He was appointed Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard in 1980 and served as president of the British Columbia Ferry Corporation 1984–1987. He died in Victoria.^[1]