Henry Burrell (admiral)

Henry Burrell (admiral).
Henry Burrell (13 August 1904 – 9 February 1988) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Navy. During the 1920s and 1930s, he served for several years on exchange with the Royal Navy, specialising as a navigator. Following the outbreak of World War II, he filled a key liaison post with the US Navy, and later saw action as commander of the destroyer HMAS Norman, earning a mention in despatches. Promoted captain in 1946, Burrell commanded the flagship HMAS Australia in 1948–49. He captained the light aircraft carrier HMAS Vengeance in 1953–54, and was twice Flag Officer of the Australian Fleet. As Chief of the Naval Staff from 1959 to 1962, he began a major program of acquisitions for the Navy, including new helicopters, minesweepers, submarines and guided-missile destroyers. In 1959 Burrell was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath and was raised to vice admiral. He was knighted in 1960 and retired two years later.