Ralph Leatham


Sir Ralph Leatham KCB was a Royal Navy officer who served as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth during World War II.

Naval career

Leatham joined the Royal Navy in 1900 as a cadet on the training ship Britannia. He served on various ships during World War I. After the War he went on to command HMS Yarmouth, HMS Durban, HMS Ramillies and. He was appointed Commander of the 1st Battle Squadron in 1938.
He served in World War II as Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station from April 1939 and as Flag Officer in Command, Malta from 1941 taking part in actions against the Italian Navy. He became Deputy Governor of Malta in 1943 and was briefly temporary Commander-in-Chief, Levant before becoming Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth later in 1943. He retired in 1946.
In retirement he became Governor of Bermuda.

Family

In 1910 he married Enid Birks; they had one son and one daughter.