Derek Empson

Admiral Sir Leslie Derek Empson GBE KCB (29 October 1918 – September 1997) was Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command.

Naval career
Educated at Eastbourne College, Empson joined the Royal Navy as a pilot 1940. He served in the Fleet Air Arm during World War II.

He was appointed Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord in 1957 and then became Commanding Officer of HMS Eagle in 1963. He went on to be Flag Officer Aircraft Carriers in 1967 and then Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations and Air) in 1968. He was made Commander-in-Chief, Far East Fleet in 1969 and Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel in 1971. Finally he became Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command and Flag Officer Portsmouth Area in 1974. He retired in 1975.

In retirement he worked as a consultant for EMI. He also held the posts of Rear-Admiral and then Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom.