Lambert Jackson Woodburne
Encyclopedia
Vice-Admiral Lambert Jackson "Woody" Woodburne DVR
, SD
, SM
, South African Navy
(Retired) (born 13 July 1939 in Kimberley
, South Africa) is a former Chief of the South African Navy (1 July 1990 to 31 August 1992). He is the only South African naval officer to have received the Van Riebeeck Decoration
for Special Forces
operations in Tanzania.
. After graduating he started maritime service on frigates.
Diving Course in the United Kingdom where he came top of the class. Woodburne went on to be the Officer in Charge of the Naval Diving School (now known as SAS Simonsberg) in Simon's Town for two years. The Navy 'Diver of the Course' nowadays still receives the Woody Woodburne Shield. Woodburne went on to command the mine sweepers SAS Mosselbaai and SAS Johannesburg.
The establishment of an elite Submarine
Branch was a milestone for the South African Navy
. Woodburne was trained as a submariner in South Africa and thereafter in Toulon
, France
during 1970. As a Lt Cdr, he became the commanding officer of SAS Emily Hobhouse (S98) in 1971; a position held until 1974.
From 1975 to 1977 he was assigned to the Agosta submarine project. After this he served with the Special Forces (1978-1983) where he attained the rank of Captain
. These were "exciting and dangerous years" said Woodburne in an interview after announcing his retirement in August 1992.
From 1983 to 1985 he was the military attaché in Argentina. In 1986 Commodore
Woodburne became Director of Naval Operations, then Chief of Naval Staff Operations. In January 1989 Rear-Admiral
Woodburne moved to the Western Cape as Flag Officer Commanding Naval Command West. On 1 July 1990 he was promoted to Vice-Admiral
and appointed as Chief of the South African Navy
; a position he held until retirement on 31 August 1992.
Woodburne married Vivienne Kemp and the couple had two daughters, but they divorced after his retirement.
Van Riebeeck Decoration
The Van Riebeeck Decoration was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 1975. It was awarded to military officers, for distinguished service in the field....
, SD
Southern Cross Decoration
The Southern Cross Decoration was a South African military decoration. It was instituted on July 1, 1975, and was awarded to officers of the South African Defence Force, for outstanding service of the highest order, and utmost devotion to duty. In practice, it was usually a requirement that the...
, SM
Southern Cross Medal
The Southern Cross Medal was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 2003. There were two distinct versions.The first type, introduced on 6 April 1952, was awarded for outstanding devotion to duty...
, South African Navy
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
(Retired) (born 13 July 1939 in Kimberley
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
, South Africa) is a former Chief of the South African Navy (1 July 1990 to 31 August 1992). He is the only South African naval officer to have received the Van Riebeeck Decoration
Van Riebeeck Decoration
The Van Riebeeck Decoration was a South African military decoration that was in use from 1952 to 1975. It was awarded to military officers, for distinguished service in the field....
for Special Forces
Special forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
operations in Tanzania.
Early life
Woodburne's father was a former South African Air Force wartime pilot who farmed near Maclear in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Woodburne was schooled in the Eastern Cape and Swaziland and served in the Naval Gymnasium at Saldanha Bay in 1958.Alexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau. p121. ISBN 0798118954. He then joined the Permanent Force and enrolled for a Bachelor of Military Science (B. Mil) degree studying at both Stellenbosch University and the Faculty of Military Science at the South African Military AcademySouth African Military Academy
The South African Military Academy is based on similar principles as that of the Military Academy system of the United States , and was established on 1 April 1950 under the auspices of the University of Pretoria, as a branch of the South African Military College in Voortrekkerhoogte...
. After graduating he started maritime service on frigates.
Military career
He completed the Specialist Mine Warfare and ClearanceDemining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
Diving Course in the United Kingdom where he came top of the class. Woodburne went on to be the Officer in Charge of the Naval Diving School (now known as SAS Simonsberg) in Simon's Town for two years. The Navy 'Diver of the Course' nowadays still receives the Woody Woodburne Shield. Woodburne went on to command the mine sweepers SAS Mosselbaai and SAS Johannesburg.
The establishment of an elite Submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
Branch was a milestone for the South African Navy
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
. Woodburne was trained as a submariner in South Africa and thereafter in Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during 1970. As a Lt Cdr, he became the commanding officer of SAS Emily Hobhouse (S98) in 1971; a position held until 1974.
From 1975 to 1977 he was assigned to the Agosta submarine project. After this he served with the Special Forces (1978-1983) where he attained the rank of Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
. These were "exciting and dangerous years" said Woodburne in an interview after announcing his retirement in August 1992.
From 1983 to 1985 he was the military attaché in Argentina. In 1986 Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
Woodburne became Director of Naval Operations, then Chief of Naval Staff Operations. In January 1989 Rear-Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear 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"...
Woodburne moved to the Western Cape as Flag Officer Commanding Naval Command West. On 1 July 1990 he was promoted to Vice-Admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice 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...
and appointed as Chief of the South African Navy
South African Navy
The South African Navy is the navy of the Republic of South Africa.-Formation:The South African Navy can trace its official origins back to the SA Naval Service, which was established on 1 April 1922....
; a position he held until retirement on 31 August 1992.
Woodburne married Vivienne Kemp and the couple had two daughters, but they divorced after his retirement.
Decorations and awards
Woody Woodburne's medals and decorations include the very rare (and now obsolete) Van Riebeeck Decoration for distinguished service against the enemy in the field and the Honoris Crux for deeds of bravery while in danger. Other medals include the Southern Cross Medal (two awards), the Southern Cross Decoration, the Pro Patria Medal, the SADF Good service Medal (Silver and Bronze) and the Chief of the SADF Commendation Medal.External links
- The South African Navy Official Website
- The operational South African navy at SADF Information website; including several pictures of "Woody" Woodburne and Daphné class submarines