The Royal Janitor
Above is a photograph of Admiral Sir Ian Easton, KCB, DSC (27 November 1917 – 14 June 1989) was a Royal Navy officer who held various command positions in the 1970s
Ian is the late husband of Rena Easton nee’ Christensen. They lived on the Isle of Wight. They had two children, One diseased. After receiving a letter from Rena, I was inspired to author a James Bond novel.
JP
Leaders pledged they would “not stop defending” the island’s territorial integrity in a joint statement seen as a message to the US this week.
Sir Keir Starmer “set out his position” on Greenland in a phone call with Mr Trump on Wednesday evening, described by Downing Street sources as “positive” and “friendly”
We work with our allies and partners whenever possible. Our aim is to ensure that the armed forces have the training, equipment and support necessary for their work.
The MOD works with the United States on joint overseas operations and contingency planning, bilateral defence co-operation, interoperability and engages on defence trade.
Our team in the United States assists this work and communicates the broader transatlantic defence relationship, elevates the UK’s interests and reputation and provides high-quality advice and reporting to the UK on all aspects of defence business.
Britain will never help the US invade Greenland, says defence secretary after Trump claims ‘we need to own it’
US president says ‘we will do something on Greenland whether they like it or not’
James C. ReynoldsFriday 09 January 2026 17:26 EST
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Britain will not allow the United States to use its military bases to facilitate an invasion of Greenland, the defence secretary said, after Donald Trump threatened to “make a deal the easy or the hard way”.
Asked if British bases, personnel or equipment could be used to support a US operation, John Healey told ITV News resolutely: “There’s no question of that.”
“Greenland and Denmark are part of Nato. We and the US are part of that alliance with treaty obligations,” he reiterated on Friday, during a visit to Kyiv.
“And so far as the UK’s support for any nation with any military action, we will do so if the purpose is correct and if the legal basis is sound.”
The White House refused to rule out taking the Danish territory by force this week, but Denmark has maintained its position that Greenland is not for sale. On Thursday, the country’s defence minister said Danish forces will ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ if Greenland is invaded.
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Trump said on Friday that he would like to make a deal on the island, but would not commit to talking about money at this stage.
He told reporters at the White House that the US needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future.
“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not. Because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour,” Trump said while meeting with oil company executives in Washington.
Greenland has a population of 57,000 people and is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. The US already maintains a military presence on the island under a 1951 agreement.
Britain and Denmark’s European allies have rebuked Trump in recent days, insisting they would strongly oppose US military action or a sale.
Leaders pledged they would “not stop defending” the island’s territorial integrity in a joint statement seen as a message to the US this week.
Sir Keir Starmer “set out his position” on Greenland in a phone call with Mr Trump on Wednesday evening, described by Downing Street sources as “positive” and “friendly”.
The prime minister has said Greenland’s future must be a matter for the people of the territory and Denmark alone.
The call with Trump was followed by a flurry of diplomatic activity, including conversations with both Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte on the need to “do more to deter Russian aggression” in the High North.
The Trump administration has argued that Denmark has not done enough to ensure that Greenland can uphold global security.
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Vice president JD Vance told Fox News this week: “Europe has failed to contend with the fundamental argument the president, and the entire administration, has made.”
“Greenland is critical, not just to our national security, but to the world’s national security,” he added, outlining the territory’s role in missile defence.
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GreenlandDonald TrumpDenmarkUSBritainJohn Healey
Admiral Sir Ian Easton, KCB, DSC (27 November 1917 – 14 June 1989) was a Royal Navy officer who held various command positions in the 1970s.
Naval career
Easton joined the Royal Navy in 1931 and qualified as a pilot at the start of the Second World War, during which he saw active service on aircraft carriers.[3] On 4 January 1941, flying a Fairey Fulmar of 803 Naval Air Squadron from HMS Formidable during a raid on Dakar, he force landed with his aircrewman Naval Airman James Burkey and was taken prisoner and held by the Vichy French at a camp near Timbuktu, until released in November 1942.[4]
Easton was appointed Assistant Director of the Tactical and Weapons Policy Division at the Admiralty in 1960. He was seconded to the Royal Australian Navy as captain of HMAS Watson in 1962.[3] He went on to be Naval Assistant to the Naval Member of the Templer Committee on Rationalisation of Air Power in 1965, Director of Naval Tactical and Weapons Policy Division at the Admiralty in 1966 and Captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Triumph in 1968.[3] After that he was made Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy) in 1969, Flag Officer for the Admiralty Interview Board in 1971 and Head of British Defence Staff and Senior Defence Attaché in Washington, D.C. in 1973.[3] He last posting was as Commandant of the Royal College of Defence Studies in 1976: he commissioned armourial bearings for the college which were presented during a visit by the Queen in November 1977.[5] He retired in March 1978.[6]
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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) protects the security, independence and interests of our country at home and abroad.
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