Terence Lewin

Admiral of the Fleet Terence Thornton Lewin, Baron Lewin (19 November 1920 – 23 January 1999) was a career Royal Navy officer, best known for his service as Chief of the Defence Staff during the Falklands War in 1982, in which he acted both as chief war planner and senior military advisor for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Joining the Royal Navy in 1939, Lewin served at sea throughout the Second World War, taking part in numerous campaigns and receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in 1942. First promoted to command his own ship in 1955, Lewin commanded the destroyer HMS Corunna, the Royal yacht, two frigates and an aircraft carrier before achieving higher command. He served as the 88th First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in the late 1970s, fighting to secure a decent wage for British servicemen, helping to win them a 32% pay rise. Lewin rose to become the 9th Chief of the Defence Staff in 1979 and held the office for three years, the first holder of that office to act directly as head of the British military, rather than just as Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Lewin retired from the Royal Navy in October 1982, becoming Chairman of the Trustees of the National Maritime Museum and President of the Society for Nautical Research among other roles, also maintaining interest as a military historian. He died in 1999 at the age of 78.