Rear Admiral Sir Leslie (William) Townsend KCVO CBE (22 February 1924 – 13 January 1999) was a senior Royal Navy officer who served as Defence Services Secretary from 1979 to 1982.

Educated at Regent's Park School in Southampton, Townsend joined the Royal Navy in 1942 and saw action during World War II.

[1] He served as Defence Services Secretary from 1979 to 1982, when he retired.

[1] In retirement he was a member of the Lord Chancellor's Panel of Independent Inspectors.

[1] In 1947 he married Ethel Majorie Bennet: they had one son and three daughters.