Second Flotilla
Ensign of the Royal Navy
Active	1971 – 1992
Country	United Kingdom
Branch	Royal Navy
Size	Flotilla
Part of	Commander-in-Chief Fleet
Garrison/HQ	HMNB Devonport
Commanders
First	Rear-Admiral David Williams
Last	Rear-Admiral John R. Brigstocke

The Flag Officer, Second Flotilla was a senior British Royal Navy appointment from 1971 to 1992.

After the creation of the single Commander-in-Chief Fleet post in 1971, its subordinate commands were reorganised. Three major sub-commands were created; the First Flotilla, Second Flotilla and Carriers and Amphibious Ships each commanded by a rear admiral.^[1] The Flotilla included (Watson & Smith 2015):

• 4th Frigate Squadron (1976-1981)
• 5th Frigate Squadron (1972-1976)
• 6th Frigate Squadron (1972-1976)
• 7th Frigate Squadron (1972-1980)
• 8th Frigate Squadron (1972-1980)
• 5th Destroyer Squadron (1980-1992)

In 1990 the First Flotilla was re-designated Surface Flotilla. Rear Admiral Brigstocke, the incumbent Flag Officer Second Flotilla, commanded the HMS Ark Royal (R07) task group off Libya during the Gulf War.^[2]

In April 1992, the system was changed when the Third Flotilla was abolished and the remaining two flotilla commanders became Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla - responsible for operational readiness and training; and Second Flotilla became Flag Officer, UK Task Group, who would command any deployed task group.^[3]

Included:^[4]

• Rear-Admiral David Williams: November 1971-March 1972
• Rear-Admiral Andrew J. Miller: March 1972-March 1973
• Rear-Admiral Richard P. Clayton: March 1973-December 1974
• Rear-Admiral John D.E. Fieldhouse: December 1974-October 1976
• Rear-Admiral William D.M. Staveley: October 1976-March 1977
• Rear-Admiral Martin La T. Wemyss: March 1977-December 1978
• Rear-Admiral Peter M. Stanford: December 1978-October 1980
• Rear-Admiral Nicholas J.S. Hunt: October 1980-November 1981
• Rear-Admiral Robert W. F. Gerken: November 1981-October 1983
• Rear-Admiral D. Benjamin Bathurst: October 1983-April 1985
• Rear-Admiral W. Richard S. Thomas: April 1985-December 1986
• Rear-Admiral Guy F. Liardet: December 1986-March 1988
• Rear-Admiral A. Peter Woodhead: March 1988-August 1989
• Rear-Admiral Peter C. Abbott: August 1989-January 1991
• Rear-Admiral John R. Brigstocke: January 1991-April 1992

• Mackie, Colin. (2018) "Royal Navy Senior Appointments from 1865" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. Scotland, UK.
• Roberts, John (2009). Safeguarding the Nation: The Story of the Modern Royal Navy. Barnsley, England: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 9781848320437.
• Watson, Graham; Smith, Gordon (12 July 2015). "Royal Navy Organisation and Ship Deployment 1947-2013". www.naval-history.net. G. Smith. Retrieved 6 August 2018.