Defence Services Secretary
Encyclopedia
The Defence Services Secretary is a senior member of the Royal Household
of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom
. Reporting to the Private Secretary
's Office, he is responsible for liaison between the Sovereign and the British Armed Forces
. He has an office at Buckingham Palace
and an office at the Ministry of Defence
in the Main Building, Whitehall.
The first Defence Services Secretary was General Sir James Newton Rodney Moore
, KCB KCVO CBE DSO, who was appointed in 1964. He was succeeded by Vice Admiral Ian Hogg
, CB DSC, in 1966. Air Vice Marshal Alan Boxer
, his successor, appointed in the following year, was the first of the two star officers to hold the post.
When the office was first created the Defence Services Secretary was to be the sole future channel of communications between the Sovereign and the Secretary of State for Defence
, largely responsible for giving advice to the Sovereign on appointments. It was anticipated that it would become a source of independent advice on higher appointments. However, within the first decade it was downgraded in rank and powers, and latterly is primarily concerned with matters relating to the British Royal Family
and the Royal Households. Unless his assistance is specifically invited he does not however concern himself with the Household Division
, nor with royal travel. From 1992 until 2007 the Defence Services Secretary concurrently held the post of Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel and Reserves).
The Defence Services Secretary is answerable to the Sovereign's Private Secretary
for all matters concerning the Sovereign's relationship (under the Royal Prerogative
) with the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, such as appointments within the Armed Forces, amendments to Queen's Regulations
, the submission of service invitations to the Royal Family, and arrangements for royal appointments within the services, and for attendance on the Sovereign during service visits.
He is answerable to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff
for tri-service appointments, national ceremonial events and honours, decorations, awards and medals, and to the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel) for other personnel responsibilities which include veterans, resettlement and joint personnel administration. In January 2009 the Defence Services Secretary once again became double-hatted as the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel).
Royal Households of the United Kingdom
The Royal Households of the United Kingdom are the organised offices and support systems for the British Royal Family, along with their immediate families...
of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
. Reporting to the Private Secretary
Private Secretary to the Sovereign
The Private Secretary to the Sovereign is the senior operational member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, as distinct from the Great Officers of the Household. The Private Secretary is the principal channel of communication with Her Majesty's Government and the...
's Office, he is responsible for liaison between the Sovereign and the British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
. He has an office at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
and an office at the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
in the Main Building, Whitehall.
The first Defence Services Secretary was General Sir James Newton Rodney Moore
James Newton Rodney Moore
General Sir Rodney Moore, GCVO KCB CBE DSO was a senior British Army officer.-Military career:Educated at Harrow School and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, Moore was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 1925. From 1942 to 1944 he was General Staff Officer 1 Guards Armoured Division...
, KCB KCVO CBE DSO, who was appointed in 1964. He was succeeded by Vice Admiral Ian Hogg
Ian Hogg (Royal Navy)
Vice Admiral Sir Ian Leslie Trower Hogg KCB DSC & Bar, RN was a Royal Navy officer whose service extended the late 1920s through the early 1970s. He received several medals for his service as a navigator during World War II...
, CB DSC, in 1966. Air Vice Marshal Alan Boxer
Alan Boxer
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Alan Boxer, KCVO CB DSO DFC was a senior Royal Air Force officer.A New Zealander, he took a series of short-term jobs in order to help the family finances, his father having died when he was nine, whilst managing to take flying lessons in his spare time...
, his successor, appointed in the following year, was the first of the two star officers to hold the post.
When the office was first created the Defence Services Secretary was to be the sole future channel of communications between the Sovereign and the Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Defence
The Secretary of State for Defence, popularly known as the Defence Secretary, is the senior Government of the United Kingdom minister in charge of the Ministry of Defence, chairing the Defence Council. It is a Cabinet position...
, largely responsible for giving advice to the Sovereign on appointments. It was anticipated that it would become a source of independent advice on higher appointments. However, within the first decade it was downgraded in rank and powers, and latterly is primarily concerned with matters relating to the British Royal Family
British Royal Family
The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in her or his role as sovereign of any of the other Commonwealth realms, thus sometimes at variance with...
and the Royal Households. Unless his assistance is specifically invited he does not however concern himself with the Household Division
Household Division
Household Division is a term used principally in the Commonwealth of Nations to describe a country’s most elite or historically senior military units, or those military units that provide ceremonial or protective functions associated directly with the head of state.-Historical Development:In...
, nor with royal travel. From 1992 until 2007 the Defence Services Secretary concurrently held the post of Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel and Reserves).
The Defence Services Secretary is answerable to the Sovereign's Private Secretary
Private Secretary
In the United Kingdom government, a Private Secretary is a civil servant in a Department or Ministry, responsible to the Secretary of State or Minister...
for all matters concerning the Sovereign's relationship (under the Royal Prerogative
Royal Prerogative
The royal prerogative is a body of customary authority, privilege, and immunity, recognized in common law and, sometimes, in civil law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy as belonging to the sovereign alone. It is the means by which some of the executive powers of government, possessed by and...
) with the Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, such as appointments within the Armed Forces, amendments to Queen's Regulations
Queen's Regulations
Queen's Regulations are a collection of orders and regulations in force in the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, forming guidance for officers of these armed services in all matters of discipline and personal conduct...
, the submission of service invitations to the Royal Family, and arrangements for royal appointments within the services, and for attendance on the Sovereign during service visits.
He is answerable to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the British Armed Forces, a senior official within the Ministry of Defence, and the most senior uniformed military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the Prime Minister...
for tri-service appointments, national ceremonial events and honours, decorations, awards and medals, and to the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel) for other personnel responsibilities which include veterans, resettlement and joint personnel administration. In January 2009 the Defence Services Secretary once again became double-hatted as the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel).
List of Defence Services Secretaries
- GeneralGeneralA general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Rodney MooreJames Newton Rodney MooreGeneral Sir Rodney Moore, GCVO KCB CBE DSO was a senior British Army officer.-Military career:Educated at Harrow School and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, Moore was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 1925. From 1942 to 1944 he was General Staff Officer 1 Guards Armoured Division...
, KCBOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
1964–1966 - Vice AdmiralVice AdmiralVice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Ian HoggIan Hogg (Royal Navy)Vice Admiral Sir Ian Leslie Trower Hogg KCB DSC & Bar, RN was a Royal Navy officer whose service extended the late 1920s through the early 1970s. He received several medals for his service as a navigator during World War II...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
DSCDistinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
1966–1967 - Air Vice Marshal SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Alan BoxerAlan BoxerAir Vice-Marshal Sir Alan Boxer, KCVO CB DSO DFC was a senior Royal Air Force officer.A New Zealander, he took a series of short-term jobs in order to help the family finances, his father having died when he was nine, whilst managing to take flying lessons in his spare time...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
DFCDistinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
1967–1970 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Chandos BlairChandos BlairLieutenant General Sir Chandos Blair KCVO OBE MC & Bar was General Officer Commanding Scotland.-Military career:...
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
1970–1972 - Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Ronald ForrestRonald ForrestRear-Admiral Sir Ronald Forrest, KCVO, a senior Royal Navy officer. He was Defence Services Secretary 1972-1975, and died in 2005....
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
1972–1975 - Air Vice Marshal SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Brian StanbridgeBrian StanbridgeAir Vice-Marshal Sir Brian Stanbridge, KCVO CBE AFC, a senior Royal Air Force officer.He was born 6 July 1924. Joining the RAF at 18, he underwent flying training with the RAFVR....
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
AFCAir Force Cross (United Kingdom)The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
1975–1979 - Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Leslie TownsendLeslie Townsend (admiral)Rear-Admiral Sir Leslie Townsend, KCVO CBE , a senior Royal Navy officer, was Defence Services Secretary 1979-82....
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
1979–1982 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Michael PalmerMichael Palmer (general)Major-General Sir Michael Palmer, KCVO, a senior British Army officer. He was Defence Services Secretary 1982-1985.-Honours and awards:*26 March 1985 - Major General Joseph Michael Palmer was appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order....
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
1982–1985 - Air Vice Marshal SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
Richard Peirse, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
1985–1988 - Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
SirSirSir is an honorific used as a title , or as a courtesy title to address a man without using his given or family name in many English speaking cultures...
David AllenDavid Allen (admiral)Rear Admiral Sir David Allen, KCVO CBE , was a senior Royal Navy officer. He was Defence Services Secretary from 1988 to 1991....
, KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
1988–1991 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Brian PennicottBrian PennicottMajor-General Sir Brian Thomas Pennicott, KCVO, a senior British Army officer. He was Defence Services Secretary 1991-1994, and additionally Assistant Chief of Defence Staff 1992-94....
, CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
1991–1994 - Air Vice Marshal Peter Harding, CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
AFCAir Force Cross (United Kingdom)The Air Force Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"...
1994–1998 - Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Rodney LeesRodney LeesRear Admiral Rodney Lees, CVO, a senior Royal Navy officer. He was Defence Services Secretary and Assistant Chief of Defence Staff 1998-2001.-References:...
, CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
1998–2001 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Christopher ElliotChristopher ElliotMajor-General Christopher Haslett Elliott, CVO CBE is a senior British Army officer. He was Defence Services Secretary and Director General, Reserve Forces and Cadets 2001-2004.-References:...
, CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
2001–2004 - Air Vice Marshal David Pocock, CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
2004–2005 - Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Peter WilkinsonPeter WilkinsonVice Admiral Peter John Wilkinson CB CVO is a Royal Navy officer. He was promoted to Vice Admiral and appointed as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff in August 2007.-Naval career:...
, CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
2005–2007 - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Matthew SykesMatthew SykesMajor General Matthew Sykes CVO is the Chief Executive of Elizabeth Finn Care, a national poverty relief charity. Prior to this appointment he served in the British Army for 35 years.-Elizabeth Finn Care:...
, CVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
2007–2010 - Air Vice Marshal David MurrayDavid MurrayDavid Murray may refer to:In politics and society*David Murray, 1st Viscount of Stormont *David Murray, 4th Viscount of Stormont *Sir David Murray, 2nd Baronet *David Murray, 5th Viscount of Stormont...
2010–present