7 Nov 2022 - Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce crossed the bar yesterday, Sunday 6 November 2022, at the age of 79. He had commanded three submarines and then a frigate before achieving higher command in the Navy and serving as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff from 1998 to 2001 and then as Chief of the Defence Staff from 2001 to 2003.
Lord Boyce was a good friend of Project Vernon and was prepared to unveil the sculpture in March 2020 had the event not been brought forward and severely curtailed owing to the developing Coronavirus pandemic. He would also have been our Guest of Honour at last July's dedication of the Vernon Monument but for the onset of his illness which transpired to be terminal.
In September 2014, Lord Boyce was Guest of Honour at a highly successful Project Vernon fundraising dinner on board HMS VICTORY.
Lord Boyce was one of a kind and he will be sorely missed.