Ralph Leatham

Admiral Sir Ralph Leatham, KCB (3 March 1888 – 10 March 1954) was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth during World War II.

Admiral Sir Ralph Leatham KCB
Leatham on his appointment as Vice Admiral Malta
Governor of Bermuda
In office 1945 – May 1946
Monarch	George VI
Preceded by	William Addis
Succeeded by	Alexander Hood
Personal details
Born	(1888-03-03)3 March 1888 Hemsworth, West Yorkshire
Died	10 March 1954(1954-03-10) (aged 66)
Spouse	Enid Birks ​ (m. 1910)​
Children	2
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1900–1946
Rank	Admiral
Commands	HMS Yarmouth HMS Durban HMS Ramillies HMS Valiant 1st Battle Squadron East Indies Station FO-in-Charge, Malta & Malta Dockyard Levant Station Plymouth Station
Battles / wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Naval career

Leatham joined the Royal Navy in 1900 as a cadet on the training ship Britannia.^[1] He served on various ships during World War I.^[2] After the War he went on to command HMS Yarmouth, HMS Durban, HMS Ramillies and HMS Valiant.^[1] He was appointed Commander of the 1st Battle Squadron on 14 June 1938 holding that post until February 1939.^[1]

He served in World War II as Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station from 12 April 1939 until 16 July 1941. He was next appointed as Admiral Superintendent Malta Dockyard and Flag Officer in Charge, Malta from January 1942 taking part in actions against the Italian Navy until December 1942.^[2] He became Deputy Governor of Malta in 1943 and was briefly temporary Commander-in-Chief, Levant before becoming Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth later in 1943.^[1] He retired in 1946.^[1]

In retirement he became Governor of Bermuda.^[1]

Family

In 1910 he married Enid Birks; they had one son and one daughter.^[3]