It is with great sadness that the Society has learnt of the passing of its Patron - Admiral of the Fleet Lord Michael Boyce. He passed away, aged 79, on Sunday 6 November after a long battle with cancer.
Lord Boyce had a distinguished naval career becoming Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic Area and Commander Naval Forces North Western Europe in the late 1990s and First Sea Lord from 1998 to 2001. He was then appointed Chief of the Defence Staff. He later became a crossbench peer in the House of Lords and was made an honorary Admiral of the Fleet in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2014.
Admiral of the Fleet the Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL was appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in 2004. In that capacity he kindly accepted the position of Patron of Hythe Civic Society.
The Society extends its condolences to Lord Boyce’s family and friends.