| Cecil Vivian Usborne | |
| Birth Date: | 17 May 1880 |
| Allegiance: |  United Kingdom |
| Rank: | Vice admiral |
| Branch: | Royal Navy |
| Awards: | Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George |
Vice-Admiral Cecil Vivian Usborne, CB, CMG (17 May 1880 – 31 January 1951) was a high-ranking officer in the British Royal Navy. He served as the Director of Naval Intelligence between 1930 and 1932. His son Henry Usborne was a Member of Parliament 1945–59.[1]
Usborne entered the navy as an acting sub-lieutenant. He was confirmed in this rank in July 1899, and promoted to lieutenant in January 1900. He was further promoted to commander in July 1912, and a captain before 1918. He became deputy director of Naval Ordnance in January 1919 and deputy director of Gunnery and Anti-Aircraft Warfare in August 1922.[2]
In April 1928 he was appointed a Naval aide-de-camp to the King and promoted to rear admiral. He served as the Director of Naval Intelligence between 1930 and 1932.[2] Promotion to vice-admiral came in January 1933.
He was brought back into the Navy during the Second World War as Naval Adviser to the First Sea Lord to develop anti-U-boat weapons. As his assistant he employed Edward Terrell who had developed plastic armour.
Usborne was also Captain of the Tactical School, Portsmouth.[1]
After service during the First World War, he was appointed a Commander of the Greek Order of the Redeemer by Alexander, King of the Hellenes in April 1918, a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) by King George V in June 1918, and an Officer of the French Légion d′honneur in May 1919.In June 1930 he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)