Mary Talbot

Commandant Mary Irene Talbot, (17 February 1922 – 11 May 2012) was a British naval officer who served as Director of the Women's Royal Naval Service from 1973 to 1976.

Early life and education Talbot was born on 17 February 1922. She studied philosophy and economics at the University of Bristol, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Military career In November 1943, Talbot joined the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS) as a naval recruiting assistant. She was then stationed at , where she served as an education and resettlement officer for the remainder of the Second World War. to first officer (equivalent to lieutenant commander) in 1952, As director, she was promoted to commandant (equivalent to commodore). in the 1975 New Year Honours, was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath. Talbot retired from the WRNS on 18 October 1976.

Later life Talbot was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (LLD) degree by the University of Bristol in July 1993. She died, aged 90, on 11 May 2012.