Dudley North (Royal Navy officer)
Sir Dudley Burton Napier North was a Royal Navy officer who served during World War I and World War II.Naval career
North entered the Royal Navy as an acting sub lieutenant, and was confirmed in that rank 15 March 1901. He became Director of Naval Operations in January 1930, Chief of Staff, Home Fleet in December 1932 and Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Yachts in December 1934. He was promoted vice-admiral on 19 June 1936.
He went on to be Flag Officer Commanding Gibraltar and Mediterranean Approaches in November 1939 and was promoted admiral on 8 May 1940. He was relieved of his command in December 1940 on the grounds of his failure to challenge a Vichy French naval squadron some three months previously; this after he had narrowly escaped replacement in response to his earlier objection to the attack on Mers-el-Kébir. He was later exonerated of blame. Ludovic Kennedy considered the failure to challenge the squadron the fault of people in London, not North.Honours and decorations
