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Sir Frank Twiss
The naval career of Sir Frank Twiss is profiled in the Navy’s People ‘Themes’ section of Sea Your History. Here are some photographs and documents relating to his career beginning with his first commission as a midshipman to his final position of Second Sea Lord.
Flimsy certificate: Twiss, HMS Emerald, Jul 1933
Certificates like this are known as 'flimsies'. Officers receive one at the end of every appointment. They are signed by their commanding officer and are a sort of report card. This certificate comments on Twiss's work as a Lieutenant on HMS Emerald. The Captain of the Emerald noted that Twiss conducted himself "To my entire satisfaction." *This is a standard positive phrase. Occasionally it is changed to the more negative, 'to his entire satisfaction'. Printed black ink template on paper with blue ink handwritten additional information. Admiral Sir Frank Twiss was born 7.7.1910. He started training at Dartmouth in 1924 as a Gunner Cadet Seaman branch. He was promoted to Lieutenant 1931; Commander 1945 and also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; Captain 1950 ; Rear Admiral 1960; Vice Admiral 1963; Admiral 1967. He served as Naval Secretary to the Admiralty 1960 - 1962 when he was created Commander of the Bath. He was Flag Officer Flotillas Home Fleet 1962 - 1964 and then Commander of the Far East Fleet 1965 - 1967. At the same time he was made a Knight Commander of the Bath. He became Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel in 1967 and retired in 1970.
