Edward Parry
Encyclopedia
Admiral Sir William Edward Parry KCB (1893–1972) was an officer of the Royal Navy
and the Royal Indian Navy
.
During World War II, he served in the New Zealand Division
commanding HMS Achilles
at the Battle of the River Plate
in December 1939. He assumed command of in 1943.
Parry was the second Chief of Naval Staff (Commander-in-Chief) of the Royal Indian Navy
(14 August 1948 – 13 October 1951), replacing Rear Admiral John Talbot Savignac Hall
who commanded (15 August 1947 – 14 August 1948). Parry was later replaced by Admiral Sir Charles Thomas Mark Pizey (13 October 1951 – 31 March 1955).
In the 1956 film The Battle of the River Plate
, Parry was played by Jack Gwillim
.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and the Royal Indian Navy
Royal Indian Navy
The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India....
.
During World War II, he served in the New Zealand Division
New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy
The New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy was formed in 1921 and remained in existence until 1941. It was the precursor to the Royal New Zealand Navy .Originally the British Royal Navy provided total security for the colony of New Zealand...
commanding HMS Achilles
HMNZS Achilles (70)
HMNZS Achilles was a Leander class light cruiser which served with the Royal New Zealand Navy in World War II. She became famous for her part in the Battle of the River Plate, alongside HMS Ajax and HMS Exeter....
at the Battle of the River Plate
Battle of the River Plate
The Battle of the River Plate was the first naval battle in the Second World War. The German pocket battleship had been commerce raiding since the start of the war in September 1939...
in December 1939. He assumed command of in 1943.
Parry was the second Chief of Naval Staff (Commander-in-Chief) of the Royal Indian Navy
Royal Indian Navy
The Royal Indian Navy was the naval force of British India. Along with the Presidency armies and the later British Indian Army it comprised the Armed Forces of British India....
(14 August 1948 – 13 October 1951), replacing Rear Admiral John Talbot Savignac Hall
John Talbot Savignac Hall
Rear-Admiral John Talbot Savignac Hall, CIE was a Royal Navy officer who became the first post-Independence Commander-in-Chief and Chief of Naval Staff of the Royal Indian Navy.-Life and career:...
who commanded (15 August 1947 – 14 August 1948). Parry was later replaced by Admiral Sir Charles Thomas Mark Pizey (13 October 1951 – 31 March 1955).
In the 1956 film The Battle of the River Plate
The Battle of the River Plate (film)
The Battle of the River Plate is a 1956 British war film by director-writer team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, starring John Gregson, Anthony Quayle and Peter Finch...
, Parry was played by Jack Gwillim
Jack Gwillim
Jack William Frederick Gwillim was a prolific English character actor.-Career:Born in Canterbury, Kent, England, he served in the Royal Navy for over twenty years, attaining the rank of Commander...
.
Honours and awards
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath 2 January 1950 (CB 23 December 1939)
- Commander of the Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(United States) 17 July 1945 - Officier de la Legion d'Honneur (France) 1944
See also
- Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian NavyChief of Naval Staff of the Indian NavyThe Chief of the Naval Staff is the commander and typically the highest-ranking officer in the Indian Navy. The position is abbreviated CNS in Indian Navy cables and communication...
- History of the Indian NavyHistory of the Indian Navy-Early history:India has a rich maritime history dating back 5,000 years. The world's first tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BCE during the Indus Valley Civilization, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast....
- Commander-in-Chief, Indian NavyCommander-in-Chief, Indian NavyCommander-in-Chief, Indian Navy was the title of the commanding officer of the Royal Indian Navy from its formation in 1934 until India became a republic on 26 January 1950, when the prefix "Royal" was dropped...