Admiral Sir Dudley Burton Napier North, GCVO, CB, CSI, CMG (25 November 1881 – 15 May 1961) was a Royal Navy officer who served during First and Second World Wars.
North entered the Royal Navy as an acting sub lieutenant, and was confirmed in that rank 15 March 1901. He was appointed to the HMS Charger on 31 December 1902, while she was serving the Devonport instructional flotilla.
He became Director of Naval Operations in January 1930 and Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Yachts in December 1934. Chief of Staff, Home Fleet in December 1932 He was promoted vice admiral on 19 June 1936.
North went on to be Flag Officer Commanding Gibraltar and Mediterranean Approaches in November 1939 and was promoted admiral on 8 May 1940. He was relieved of his command in December 1940 on the grounds of his failure to challenge a Vichy French naval squadron some three months previously. He had narrowly escaped replacement in response to his earlier objection to the attack on Mers-el-Kébir. He was later exonerated of blame. Ludovic Kennedy considered the failure to challenge the squadron the fault of people in London, not North.
Until 1939 appeared on the List as:
Vice Admiral Sir Dudley B N North KCVO CB CSI CMG.