Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Conyers Leach, GCB, DL (18 November 1923 – 26 April 2011) was a former First Sea Lord of the UK's Royal Navy. Leach was the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff between 1979 and 1982, being the professional head of the Navy at the time of the Falklands War.

He was instrumental in convincing the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher that retaking the Falkland Islands from Argentina was feasible. For his determination in the Navy's ability to retake the Falklands, Andrew Marr referred to Leach as Thatcher's "Knight in Shining Gold Braid".

Leach was the third son of John Leach, a naval officer. He was educated at St Peter’s Court, Broadstairs. He entered the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth as a cadet in 1937. He married Mary McCall, an admiral's daughter, in 1958. She died in 1991. He is survived by their two daughters.

Henry Conyers Leach, sailor, born 18 November 1923; died 26 April 2011

On 10 January 2008, The Under-Secretary of State agreed to extend the use of indulgence Passage to the Falkland Islands on Aircraft of the RAF and other MOD chartered Aircraft to certain categories of Veterans of the 1982 South Atlantic Conflict. This scheme is Restricted “Solely” to holders of the South Atlantic Medal and does not include next of kin, other family members, partners or carers.

Veterans of the 1982 conflict who wish to return to the Falkland Islands are hereby encouraged to use the SAMA 82 sponsored Indulgence scheme and should apply for an application form by following the procedures in this attached note from SAMA which includes the contact details.

The Wellcome Collection in London is currently running a major new exhibition entitled War and Medicine. Part of this exhibition is an online site that invites members of the public to Add, view and share memories of war.

"These memories will be analysed and will help us to understand how we understand and recall war. 'Remembering War: Your memories' is part of the 'Remembering War' event, which supports the 'War and Medicine' exhibition."



If you would like to contribute to this site you can find it here: Wellcome Collection - War and Medicine