Philip Wilcocks
| Philip Wilcocks | |
|---|---|
| Born |
April 14, 1953 Malaysia |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Years of service | 1971–2009 |
| Rank | Rear admiral |
| Commands held |
Flag Officer Reserves
|
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | |
Flag Officer Reserves
Rear Admiral Philip Lawrence Wilcocks, CB DSC DL (born 14 April 1953) is a former senior British Royal Navy officer who became rear admiral surface ships.
Philip Wilcocks' parents were Lieutenant Commander Arthur Frederick Wilcocks and Marjorie Wilcocks. Born in Malaya, he was educated at Oakham School and Wallington County Grammar School before joining the Royal Navy in 1971.
Following initial sea training, he was awarded the Queen’s Telescope and the Queen’s Gold Medal. His first appointments were the frigate Torquay as navigating officer followed by command of the fishery protection minesweeper Stubbington in 1978.
After qualifying as a principal warfare officer in 1981, he served in the frigate Ambuscade, which included the Falklands War in 1982, when he was actively involved in directing naval fire support to land forces including 2 Para's attack along Wireless Ridge just prior to the Argentinean surrender. His ship survived an Exocet missile attack.
Specializing in air warfare, he became squadron operations officer to Captain 3rd Destroyer Squadron in Newcastle and York. This included the task of group operations officer for the evacuation of Aden in 1984. He subsequently moved to the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training where he reinvigorated above water warfare training following his Falkland experiences.
Promoted to commander in 1989, he assumed command of the destroyer Gloucester in 1990. During this appointment, the ‘Fighting G’ fought in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm when the Lynx helicopter operating from his ship destroyed 7 enemy warships (including 3 TNC-45s, a T43 minelayer, and a Polnocny class) with Sea Skua missiles.
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