Rear-Admiral Charles Bernard Williams (19 February 1925 – 11 June 2015) was an officer of the Royal Navy. He was chairman of the Whitbread Round the World Race from 1981 to 1990. Williams was born in Grahamstown, South Africa, in 1925. He joined the Royal Navy soon after the start of the Second World War and became an engineering officer. He worked on ships of the Russian convoys and those providing gun fire support during the Normandy landings. He was appointed OBE for his work at the shore base

HMS Sheba HMS Sheba also known as HM Naval Base, Aden was a Royal Navy shore base at Steamer Point (now Tawahi) in Aden. It was closed after South Yemen achieved independence in 1967. During the Second World War the senior naval administrative authority w ...

repairing British ships involved in the blockade of Beira. He was made CB on his retirement in 1980 by which time he was Flag Officer, Medway and Port Admiral at

Chatham Naval Base Chatham Dockyard was a Royal Navy Dockyard located on the River Medway in Kent. Established in Chatham in the mid-16th century, the dockyard subsequently expanded into neighbouring Gillingham (at its most extensive, in the early 20th century ...

. Williams was involved with the restoration of the Dutch lugger STV ''Astrid'' with the financial support of Sir

Jack Hayward Sir Jack Arnold Hayward (14 June 1923 – 13 January 2015) was an English businessman, property developer, philanthropist, and president of English football club Wolverhampton Wanderers. Biography Early life The only son of Charles William ...

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1925 births 2015 deaths Officers of the Order of the British Empire People from Makhanda, Eastern Cape Military personnel from the Eastern Cape Companions of the Order of the Bath Royal Navy officers of World War II Royal Navy admirals {{UK-navy-bio-stub