Friends, family and colleagues of Sir Henry Leach will gather for a memorial service at Winchester Cathedral today, to remember the life of one the Navy's most respected figures.
Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Henry, who lived in Wonston for many years, was central to Margaret Thatcher's decision to regain the Falkland Islands in 1982, when he was First Sea Lord.
Described by Andrew Marr as Mrs Thatcher's 'knight in golden braid', his advice on the Falklands was clear. "...because if we do not, or if we pussyfoot in our actions and do not achieve complete success, in another few months we shall be living in a different country whose word counts for little."
Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine, and Mayor, Cllr Barry Lipscomb will be among 800 attendees paying their respects.
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You can read an obituary from the Daily Telegraph here.