Edward Thorne

Rear Admiral Edward Courtney "Ted" Thorne, (29 October 1923 – 23 October 2013) was a senior Royal New Zealand Navy officer. He rose to be Chief of Naval Staff and later served as the Commissioner of the New Zealand Fire Service.

Biography Thorne was born in Seatoun, Wellington, on 29 October 1923 and was educated at Rongotai College from 1935 to 1938, followed by Nelson College from 1938 to 1941. After leaving school, he travelled to England, becoming a cadet at Dartmouth. His training included time in the cruiser Hawkins and during the war he served in vessels including the heavy cruiser Devonshire and the destroyer Lamerton.

Honours and decorations In 1953, Thorne was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal. In the 1972 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Thorne was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1975 Queen's Birthday Honours.