Lieutenant and Sub Lieutenant

The exact rank is given on the envelope or in a list. These ranks should not be abbreviated.

How to Address a Lieutenant

The recommended social style of address is as follows:

Beginning of letter Dear Lieutenant Smith
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Lieutenant John Smith, CBE, RN
Verbal communication Lieutenant Smith*
Invitation Lieutenant John Smith
Description in conversation Lieutenant Smith
List of Directors or Patrons Lieutenant John Smith
Place card Lieutenant John Smith

*A younger man, or a more junior officer in any of the Armed Forces, addresses him as 'Sir'.

How to Address a Sub Lieutenant

The recommended social style of address is as follows:

Beginning of letter Dear Mr Brown
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Sub Lieutenant John Brown, RN (this rank should not be abbreviated)
Verbal communication Mr Brown*
Invitation Mr John Brown
Description in conversation Mr Smith
List of Directors or Patrons Mr John Brown
Place card Mr John Brown

*A younger man, or a more junior officer in any of the Armed Forces, addresses him as 'Sir'.

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