Bidspirit auction | HMS Cumberland Ad. D Refell

HMS Cumberland Ad. D Refell Falklands War signed Royal Navy cover RNC4 no.42. Autographed by Capt R.D Leaman OBE, Ad Sir Derek Reffell, Lady Janne Reffell and Cllr J Metcalfe signed HMS Cumberland rededication at Devonport 25 Sept 1997 Naval FDC. Details on back numbered 11 of 100 issued. Reffell entered the Royal Navy, qualified as a Navigating Officer in 1954 and progressed through the ranks: he commanded the frigate HMS Sirius from her launch in 1966 and served as captain of the commando carrier HMS Hermes from 1974 to 1976 and as Commodore, Amphibious Warfare, from 1978 to 1979. He was appointed Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff for Policy - ACNS(P) - in 1979.[3] He was promoted to Vice-Admiral, becoming Flag Officer, Third Flotilla (FOF3) in 1982. During the Falklands War Admiral Reffell was serving as Flag Officer Third Flotilla in charge of the amphibious ships and aircraft carriers. Alastair Finlan commented that Admiral Reffell was the obvious choice for in-theatre commander but was not selected. Commodore Michael Clapp later expressed his surprise at this decision, and, what was more, the fact that Reffell was barred access to the Northwood Headquarters so that his advice was not available. After Hermes returned to the UK, and Rear Admiral Sandy Woodward had returned home, Invincible remained on station in the South Atlantic until September 1982. Reffell become senior officer in-theatre from 1 July 1982. To relieve Invincible, the newly completed Illustrious was rapidly deployed. So rapidly was Illustrious deployed that she was commissioned while at sea. Reffell commanded the task group from Illustrious during this period (aboard Bristol for a period too, reportedly). Aircraft embarked included 809 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Harrier) and 814 Naval Air Squadron (Sea King) embarked. Additionally, a pair of Sea Kings from 824 Naval Air Squadron were attached to the air group, which had been converted to operate in the airborne early warning role. Good condition Est.