Michael Torrens-Spence

Captain Frederick Michael Alexander Torrens-Spence, (10 March 1914 – 12 December 2001) was a Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilot in the Second World War. Torrens-Spence earned the distinction of holding commissions in the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

Early life Known as "Tiffy", Torrens-Spence was born in Whiteabbey, County Antrim, Ireland the son of a professional soldier. Educated at Mourne Grange Public School, Kilkeel, at the age of 13 he attended Dartmouth Royal Naval College.

Military career After initial service in the fleet Torrens-Spence volunteered for flying duties with the Fleet Air Arm, which at that time was under the command of the Royal Air Force. After flying training, he was commissioned as a pilot in both the RAF and the Navy. His first postings were on the carriers and, in 1937.

He was also involved when Illustrious was badly damaged; Illustrious was escorting a convoy to Malta when she was attacked by three squadrons of German Stuka dive bombers. Suffering multiple bomb hits (including to Torrens-Spence's wardroom) and more than 200 casualties, Illustrious limped to Malta and eventually to America for repairs. Her aircraft were disembarked in Malta, and Torrens-Spence flew to Eleusis, near Athens, Greece, with elements of 815 and 819 Squadrons for an active anti-shipping campaign which later earned him the Distinguished Service Order.

Post-war He remained in the Navy after the war, becoming chief inspector of the Empire Test Pilots' School. He then served in the carrier , and as commanding officer of RNAS Eglinton (HMS Gannet) in Northern Ireland.

In 1952, he was promoted captain and sent to the Admiralty to look after future aircraft requirements as deputy director of the Air Warfare Division, naval staff. He wrote the staff requirement for the Buccaneer strike aircraft and steered it through the Admiralty Board.

Northern Ireland After leaving the Royal Navy Torrens-Spence was appointed as the Commandant of the Ulster Special Constabulary (the "B" Specials) in County Armagh. and was aide-de-camp to the Queen. He was never overtly involved in politics, but remained throughout his life a committed Unionist, holding senior office in the County Armagh Unionist Association, yet saddened by what he saw as the government's appeasing of terrorism.