Robert Cunliffe | |
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Born | 15 March 1895 Woolwich, Kent, England |
Died | 29 November 1990 Pakenham, Suffolk, England | (aged 95)
Allegiance |
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Service/ |
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Years of service | 1912–1946 |
Rank | Commodore |
Commands held |
HMS Milford Dover Command HMS Illustrious |
Battles/wars |
World War I World War II |
Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire |
Commodore Robert Lionel Brooke Cunliffe CBE (15 March 1895 – 29 November 1990) was a Royal Navy officer who became Commander-in-Chief, Dover.
Cunliffe joined the Royal Navy in September 1912. [1] He was present at the Battle of Jutland in June 1916 during the First World War. [2] He became commanding officer of the sloop HMS Milford in December 1937. [1] He also served during the Second World War as Captain of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, from December 1939, Commander-in-Chief, Dover, from April 1942 and captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious from August 1942. [3] He went on to be Commodore, Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport in August 1944 before retiring in January 1946. [4] While serving in the Royal Navy, Cunliffe played first-class cricket for the Royal Navy Cricket Club, making ten appearances between 1914–1929. [5] He scored 335 runs at an average of 20.93, which included three half centuries and a high score of 87. [6] With the ball, he took 16 wickets with his leg break googly bowling, with best figures of 5 for 78. [7]