Woodburne was born in Kimberley, South Africa in 1939.[5] His father was a South African Air Force wartime pilot who farmed near Maclear in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.[6] Woodburne was schooled in the Eastern Cape and Swaziland and served in the Naval Gymnasium at Saldanha Bay in 1958.[7] He then joined the Permanent Force and enrolled for a Bachelor of Military Science (B. Mil) degree studying at both Stellenbosch University and the Faculty of Military Science at the South African Military Academy from 1960 to 1961. He did not graduate[8] and after his time at the Academy he started maritime service on frigates.[6]
Military career
Woodburne completed the Specialist Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Course in the United Kingdom where he came top of the class.[5] On his return to South Africa he became the Officer in Charge of the Naval Diving School[5] in Simon's Town for two years. The Navy Diver of the Course still receives the Woody Woodburne Shield.[9] Woodburne went on to command the mine sweepersSAS Mosselbaai and SAS Johannesburg.[6]
With the establishment of the Submarine Branch, he volunteered for submarines[5] and was chosen as the first commanding officer of SAS Emily Hobhouse (S98) in 1971; a position held until 1974.[10] During the submarine’s work-up in France, he was described as one of the “best foreign submariners ever worked up in France”, which earned him the Southern Cross Medal.[2]
In 1972, the SAS Emily Hobhouse landed Special Forces troops led by Commandant Jan Breytenbach near Dar es Salaam as part of a raid on the Tanzanian port. The Special Forces team placed explosives on a bridge, next to power lines and other targets around the city. While making the pickup rendezvous, the submarine snagged a fishing net and sank the fishing vessel dragging the net.[11]: 50–51 This mission earned Woodburne the Van Riebeeck Decoration.[12]
From 1975 to 1977, he was assigned to the Agosta submarine project. After this he served with the Special Forces (1978–1983) in the post of Senior Staff Officer: Operations (Navy) at Special Forces Headquarters,[13] where he attained the rank of Captain. These were "exciting and dangerous years" said Woodburne in an interview after announcing his retirement in August 1992.[14]
From 1983 to 1985, he was the military attaché in Argentina.[5][7] In 1986 Commodore Woodburne became Director of Naval Operations, then seven months later Chief of Naval Staff Operations.[5] In January 1989 Rear-Admiral Woodburne moved to the Western Cape as Flag Officer Commanding Naval Command West.[15] On 1 July 1990 he was promoted to Vice-Admiral and appointed as Chief of the South African Navy, a position he held until retirement on 31 August 1992.[6]
Personal life
Woodburne married Vivienne Kemp and the couple had two daughters, but they divorced after his retirement.[1]
Woodburne was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy in 2007[16] and was confined to a wheelchair.[17] He died on 5 July 2013 and was accorded a military funeral in Simon's Town.[2]
Lieutenant Commander Lambert Woodburne distinguished himself by displaying outstanding leadership, perseverance and devotion to duty in a special task of a delicate and dangerous nature during 1972.
One occasion, during that year, he was placed in command of an extremely sensitive task in the interest of the security of the State, in the execution of which a great deal had to be relied upon his own judgement and initiative and which demanded positive and dynamic leadership from him.[11]: 51 He tackled and executed this difficult task with great courage and daring and, with his personal example, inspired the other members of the team that took part in this task. His positive leadership, perseverance in the face of great odds and his outstanding devotion to duty undoubtedly played a decisive role in the successful execution of the task.[11]: 52
Notes and references
^ ab"Woodburne gaan van vrou skei". Die Burger (South Africa). Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2011. Die pas-uitgetrede hoof van die Suid-Afrikaanse Vloot, v.-adm. Lambert Woodburne gaan van sy vrou, Vivienne, skeiThe recently-retired head of the South African Navy, Vice-Admiral Lambert Woodburne and his wife, Vivienne, are going to divorce.
^ abAlexander, E. G. M., Barron G. K. B. and Bateman, A. J. (1986). South African Orders, Decorations and Medals. Human and Rousseau. p121. ISBN0-7981-1895-4.
^ abcStiff, Peter (1999). The Silent War. Galago Publishing. ISBN0620243007.
^ abcUys, Ian (1992). Cross of Honour. Uys Publishers. ISBN0958317321.
^Söderlund, Arné; Steyn, Douw (2018). Iron Fist From The Sea: South Africa's Seaborne Raiders 1978-1988. Jeppestown: Delta Books. ISBN978-1868427789.
^Ley, Marga (25 August 1992). "Die Vloot gaan verander Lambert Woodburne tree af". Beeld (South Africa). Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011. Later was hy vier 'opwindende en gevaarlike jare' lank deel van die Weermag se spesiale magte" Translation into English: "Later he spent four 'exciting and dangerous years' in the Army's special forces."
