torpedo lieutenant in the destroyer HMS Malcolm in the Atlantic Fleet in July 1920. He joined the directing staff at HMS Vernon in July 1922 and, having attended the Royal Naval College, he was promoted to lieutenant-commander on 15 December 1924. He became torpedo officer in the cruiser HMS Frobisher, flagship of the 1st Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean Fleet, in April 1926, torpedo officer in the battleship HMS Warspite, flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet, in October 1926 and torpedo officer in the battleship HMS Rodney in the Atlantic Fleet in June 1928. Promoted to commander on 30 June 1930, he joined the directing staff at the Tactical Training School at Portsmouth in July 1930 and then became staff officer (operations) to the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet in July 1932. Creasey next became executive officer in the cruiser HMS Sussex, attached to the Royal Australian Navy, in July 1934 and, having been appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order on 21 November 1934, and promoted to captain on 31 December 1935, he became assistant director of plans at the Admiralty in June 1936. He went on to be captain (destroyers) of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean Fleet and commanding officer of the destroyer HMS Grenville in May 1938. Second World War Creasy served in the Second World War, initially as commanding officer of HMS Grenville, which was sunk off Kentish Knock in January 1940. He then transferred to the destroyer HMS Codrington, in which he led the rescue of Crown Princess Juliana of the Netherlands in May 1940 and then took part in the Dunkirk evacuation later that month. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his skill and initiative during these two operations on 11 July 1940. He became chief staff officer to the First Sea Lord in June 1940 and director of anti-submarine warfare in September 1940. He was appointed a Commander of the Dutch Order of Orange-Nassau (for rescuing the Crown Princess) on 12 May 1942, and became flag captain to the commander-in-chief of the Home Fleet in the battleship HMS Duke of York in September 1942. Creasy was also appointed to the Polish Order of Polonia Restituta, Third Class, on 22 December 1942 and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1943. Promoted to rear admiral on 8 July 1943, Creasy went on to be chief staff officer