County Sligo , Republic of Ireland Allegiance United Kingdom Service/branch Royal Navy Years of service 1913-1965 Rank Admiral of the Fleet Commands held HMS Kelly (1939-1941) HMS Illustrious (Aug.-Oct 1941) Chief of Combined Operations (1941-1943) Supreme Allied Commander , South East Asia Command (1943-1946) Commander, cruiser squadron, Mediterranean Fleet (1948-1950) Fourth Sea Lord