CNS # 18

Rear Admiral Lincoln John Tempero RNZN CB. Chief of Naval Staff: February 1986 – May 1987

Lincoln John Tempero joined the Royal New Zealand Navy on 16th September 1953. He trained in the Royal Navy and progressed rapidly through the ranks. He commanded the minesweeper HMNZS Stanton, based in Singapore, before commanding the frigates HMNZS’ Taranaki and Canterbury. He was then Commodore Auckland before assuming the position of Chief of Naval Staff in 1986.

He died suddenly in 1987 and, after a full military funeral at St Christopher’s Chapel,  Philomel, he was buried at sea from the frigate HMNZS Wellington. He was posthumously created a Commander of the Order of the Bath.

Rear Admiral Linn Tempero was a gunnery officer; he died in office (as CNS) and so was entitled to a full naval funeral, including burial at sea. Some say that was his last joke as a Gunnery Officer, knowing the amount of marching and drill practice it would cause!