Vice-Admiral Sir Neil Anderson, 83 - Former NZ Defence chief

[BobF]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10650492

Former NZ Defence chief dies

Tuesday Jun 8, 2010

Former Defence chief Vice-Admiral Sir Neil Anderson has died in
Wellington, aged 83.

Born and educated in Hastings, Sir Neil was defence chief from 1980 to
1983.

He was chief of naval staff from 1978 to 1980, his promotion coming
after a distinguished career in the Royal New Zealand Navy, which he
joined as a cadet in 1944.

He served in Korea aboard the HMNZS Rotoiti in 1950-51 and was later a
navigation specialist before becoming commanding officer of navy
ships, such as the Taranaki, Philomel and Waikato.

He was made a Companion of the Order of Bath (CB) in 1982 and a Knight
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) two years later.

Sir Neil died in Wellington Hospital on Saturday after a fall at his
home. He is survived by his wife, acclaimed author Barbara Anderson,
and son Piers. Another son, Jeremy, died five years ago. The Andersons
have five grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at Waikanae on Thursday.

- NZPA

--

"It's not that I'm afraid to die. I just don't want to be there when it happens." - Woody Allen

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