Anthony Blackburn

Vice-Admiral Sir David Anthony James 'Tom' Blackburn, KCVO, CB CStJ (born 18 January 1945 ) was a British naval officer and Member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.

His first command was of the minesweeper HMS Kirkliston 1972–1973.

From 1976 to 1978 Blackburn was Equerry to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

He was Executive Officer of the cruiser HMS Antrim 1978–1981.

In 1983–1984 he was a Commander and in command of the destroyer HMS Birmingham. From 1987 to 1988 he was in command of the destroyer HMS York and Captain D3 Squadron. He was a Commodore on Clyde and Naval Base Commander Clyde 1990–1992. From 1992 to 1993 he was in command of the frigate HMS Cornwall and Captain F2 Squadron.

From 1994 to 1997 Blackburn was Defence Attache and Head of the British Defence Staff in Washington, and Chief of Staff to the Commander-in-Chief Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe, Naples, 1997 to 1999.

On leaving the Royal Navy Blackburn joined the Royal Household as Master of the Household, in which office he served from 2000 to 2005.

He was a member of the Pensions appeal tribunal from 2005, chairman of The Marine Society, the Sea Cadets from 2006 and St John Ambulance London from 2006, as well as Deputy Chairman of the Royal Yachting Association from 2007.

Blackburn was made a LVO in 1978, and a KCVO in 2004. He was also made a member of the Order of the Bath in 1999.