James Wilfred Jefford

Who was James Wilfred Jefford?

Rear Admiral James Wilfred Jefford was the first Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Pakistan Navy, serving from its inception in 1947 until 1953. Most of his early career was in the Royal Indian Navy.

Jefford served in the Royal Navy as a midshipman during the First World War and was commissioned into the Royal Indian Marine as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1922. He was promoted Commander, RIN, in 1941, Captain, RIN, in 1946, and Rear-Admiral in 1947. On the inception of the Dominion of Pakistan in 1947 he transferred to the special list of the Royal Navy and was appointed Flag Officer commanding the new Royal Pakistan Navy. His title was upgraded to Commander-in-Chief in 1950, and he was promoted Vice-Admiral in the Royal Pakistan Navy, in 1953, the same year that his command was terminated.

He was Chairman of the Penang Harbour Board from 1955 to 1957 and also of the Penang Port Commission from 1956 to 1957, when he retired.

During the Second World War he commanded HMIS Indus and HMIS Godavari.