Sir William O’Brien, British admiral, Died at 99

  Military

Admiral Sir William Donough O’Brien was born on November 13, 1916, and died on February 19, 2016.

He was Commander-in-Chief of the Western Fleet.

He received his education at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth, in 1930, William was commissioned into the Royal Navy.

Sir William O’Brien served in World War II during which he served with the naval escort of the fateful PQ-17 convoy.

O’Brien served as Director of Naval Plans at the Ministry of Defence under Lord Louis Mountbatten, on the early 1960s.

Sir William O’Brien was then appointed Naval Secretary in 1964.

The admiral was appointed Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers in 1966, Commander-in-Chief, Far East Fleet in 1967 and Commander-in-Chief of the Western Fleet in 1970.

In 1971, Sir William O’Brien retired.

Following his retirement, William became Chairman of the King George’s Fund for Sailors.

During 1975, he was Chairman of the Royal Navy Club of 1765 & 1785 (United 1889).

Admiral Sir William became Chairman of the Kennet and Avon Canal and after its re-opening by HM Queen Elizabeth in 1990, he retired from this post.

O’Brien also held the posts of Rear-Admiral and then Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom.

William O’Brien married Rita Micallef, in 1943.

The couple had one son and two daughters.

William O’Brien passed away at 99 yrs old.