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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.
Certificate in Gunnery for Frank Twiss for the Rank of Lieutenant, dated 1st July 1931.
This certificate shows the marks awarded to Twiss in his gunnery course as a Lieutenant. At this date officers specialised in one branch, such as Navigation or Gunnery, after they had passed as Lieutenant. Most of the course covered the key skills required for gunnery at sea. However, it also still included using muskets, and portable field guns. Twiss narrowly missed out on obtaining a First Class Certificate. Signed by the Captain of HMS Excellent. 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.
