Desmond Cassidi

Cassidi joined the Royal Navy in 1938.[1] Commissioned in 1943, he was promoted to sub-lieutenant in February 1944.[2] He served in HMS Cumberland and HMS Hardy with the Iceland Patrols and Russian Convoys during the Second World War and also took part in the Normandy landings.[1]

Cassidi was promoted to lieutenant in February 1946,[3] and to lieutenant commander in October 1953.[4] He became Commanding Officer of 820 Naval Air Squadron in 1954. Promoted to commander on 31 December 1956,[5] he became the commanding officer of HMS Whitby in 1960.[1] He went on to be Assistant Director of Naval Plans (Warfare) in the Ministry of Defence in 1964 and Commanding Officer of HMS Undaunted as well as Captain of the 2nd Frigate Squadron in 1967.[1] In 1970 he returned to the Ministry of Defence as the Director of Naval Plans.[1]

Cassidi became Commanding Officer of HMS Ark Royal in 1972 and Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships in 1974.[6] He went on to be Director-General, Naval Manpower and Training in 1975 and Flag Officer Naval Air Command in 1978.[6] He then became Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel in 1979 and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command in 1982.[6] He retired in 1985.[1]

In 1950 Cassidi married Sheelagh Marie Scott; they had one son and two daughters.[6] Following the death of his first wife, he married Deborah Marion Pollock in 1982.[6]

Cassidi lived near Langport in Somerset.[7]

He died on 10 October 2019 at the age of 94.[8]