ADMIRAL DIES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29515, 17 May 1961, Page 15

ADMIRAL DIES

Sir Dudley North

(N Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) LONDON. May 16 Admiral Sir Dudley North, who became the centre of one of the most bitter controversies in British naval history after being relieved of his war-time command in 1940, died at his home in Dorset yesterday. He was 79. Admiral North was ordered to haul down his flag at Gibraltar after six Vichy French warships went through the Straits to Dakar where they helped repulse an Allied landing. Admiral North learned his fate in an Admiralty letter which said: “Their Lordships cannot retain full confidence in an officer who fails in an emergency to take all prudent precautions without waiting for Admiralty instructions.” From then until shortly before his death. Admiral North never ceased to press for a court martial or an inquiry to clear his name. All his representations and those of distinguished fellow officers were of no avail, however. The Admiralty, convinced that no useful purpose would be served by such an investigation either during or after the war, declined to reopen the case.